Abstract: Ag ions were introduced into white silicate and green silicate glasses by ion-exchanged method.Clustering,nucleation and growth of Ag atoms in the two types of glasses were studied by photoluminescence（PL） and optical absorption spectroscopy.It is difficult to form Ag nanoparticles in white glass due to lack of Fe²⁺ as reducing agent,thus the volume fraction of Ag nanoparticles is very low in white glass,and the surface plasma resonance absorption can not be observed obviously.In these glasses there exists amounts of Ag⁺ ions and small Ag clusters.When Ag⁺ ions are introduced into green glasses,Ag⁺ ions are reduced into neutral Ag atoms by Fe²⁺ ions,and Ag particles nucleate and grow in a suitable condition of thermal treatment.Thus it is much easier to form Ag nanoparticles in green glass than in white glass at nearly the same processes.The PL intensity decreases gradually with the transformation of Ag ions to Ag nanoparticles.