Zinc borosilicate glass (ZBS) with the formula 60ZnO–30B2O3–10SiO2 was prepared by melt‐quenching method and the effect of addition of 0–15 wt% of α‐alumina (Al2O3) on the spectroscopic, dielectric, and optical properties of ZBS has been studied. Structural and microstructural modifications of ZBS with alumina addition were studied using X‐ray diffraction, spectroscopic (Raman and IR) and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The effect of Al2O3 on the photoluminescence properties of ZBS was also investigated.