One embodiment of the present invention provides a semiconductor light-emitting device which includes: (1) a silicon (Si) substrate; (2) a silver (Ag) transition layer which is formed on a surface of the Si substrate, wherein the Ag transition layer covers the Si substrate surface; and (3) an InGaAlN, ZnMgCdO, or ZnBeCdO-based semiconductor light-emitting structure which is fabricated on the Ag-coated Si substrate. Note that the Ag transition layer prevents the Si substrate surface from forming an amorphous overcoat with reactant gases used for growing the semiconductor light-emitting structure.