Novel Tb3+-activated borogermanate-tellurite scintillating glasses with a maximum density of 7.15 g/cm(3) aimed at detection of high-energy rays were prepared by a melt-quenching method for the first time. The concentration-dependent optical properties including transmittance, photoluminescence, luminescence dynamic behaviors, and X-ray excited luminescence in the as-prepared Tb3+-activated borogermanate-tellurite glasses were studied. The optimal content of Tb2O3 in the superdense borogermanate-tellurite glasses is revealed to be 7 mol% under both 275 nm ultraviolet light and X-ray excitation. The integral scintillation efficiency of Tb3+-activated borogermanate-tellurite scintillating glass is about 33.71% of the standard Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) scintillating crystal.