Centimeter-sized crystals of zinc oxide have been grown by the top-seeded solution growth method and traveling-solvent floating-zone method using a mixed solvent of V2O5 + B2O3 and MoO3 + V2O5. The crystals were brown, pale yellow and white semi-transparent in color depending on the solvent used. The characterization of the crystals by scanning electron microscopy X-ray energy-dispersion spectroscopy is reported. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.