Monodisperse, luminescent core–shell structured inorganic nanoparticles were synthesized by sol–gel technology. They exhibit an amorphous SiO 2 core and a crystalline luminescent shell. Zn 2 SiO 4 :Mn 2+ and Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 OH:Eu 3+ shell materials are investigated. The influence of the doping concentration on optical and structural properties was studied. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and photoluminescence spectroscopy.