Sm³⁺ doped lithium zinc alumino borate glasses with composition 15ZnF₂–12Li₂CO₃–10BaO–8Al₂O₃–(55-x)B₂O₃–xSm₂O₃ where x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.1 mol% were prepared by conventional melt quenching technique Their optical, physical, structural, mechanical and luminescence properties are investigated. UV–Vis-NIR absorption spectra showed all possible transitions of samarium ion in this glass matrix. Band gap values for all the glass samples were above 3 eV confirming the insulating nature for the glass. Densities, assessed using the Archimedes rule, were observed to be increasing with increasing samarium concentration. Increase in molar volume with addition of samarium content indicated that the extension of glass network is on account of the increase of number of Non-Bridging Oxygens created by network modifier samarium ions. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) image showed a smooth surface for the synthezied glass. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) technique was employed to verify the amorphous nature of the glasses. A Makishima and Mackenzie theoretical model gave acceptable approximation of elasticity constants viz. Young's modulus, shear modulus, bulk modulus and Poisson's ratio. The high Vickers hardness values evaluated with mechanical loads of 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000 g force, proved the stability of the glasses. Emission spectra showed a prominent transition ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 at 598 nm excited with ⁶H_5/2 → ⁴P_3/2 transition at 401 nm. Luminescence quenching effect was observed beyond 0.3 mol% Sm₂O₃ addition. The chromaticity coordinates (x, y) clustered in the orange-red region, making these Sm³⁺ doped lithium zinc alumino borate glasses suitable candidate for applications in LEDs and solid-state lasers.