The phenomenon of luminescence, its different forms with distinct mechanisms, and their applications in diverse fields have equally fascinated and engrossed technologists, engineers, and scientists from different disciplines. Luminescence is emission of light by a substance not resulting from heat, it is thus a form of cold body radiation.Luminescent materials are called phosphors. Review of the challenging work in the pursuit of finding better phosphor materials,and innovative applications; carried out by scientists world-wide, and a little contribution in form of the results of research on Silicate and Vanadate based materials, will of interest to many students, teachers and researcher of this field.