Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) possess excellent optical and electrical properties that can be used in a wide variety of application. Synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles with GQDs have been known to improve the properties further. Therefore, in this method, graphene quantum dots –gold (GQD-Au) hybrid nanoparticles were synthesized using GQDs which reduces HAuCl4.3H2O to Au nanoparticles on its surface at room temperature. The GQDs with self-passivated layers were synthesized by microwave assisted hydrothermal method using glucose as a single precursor. The synthesis process does not involve the use of harmful chemicals. The whole synthesis process of GQD and GQD-Au hybrid nanoparticles takes only five minutes. The synthesized GQDs have been extracted using citrate in order to increase the stability of the hybrid nanoparticles for up to four weeks. The size of the synthesized GQD-Au hybrid nanoparticles is in the range of 5–100 nm and were found to be luminescent under UV-A illumination. The merit of the following method over other synthesis techniques include its rapidity, ease of preparation, and no requirement of elaborate synthesis procedures and/or harmful chemicals. The GQD-Au hybrid nanoparticles can be used in several applications such as luminescent coatings for glass and windowpanes for automobiles, etc. The reducing property of GQDs can further be utilized for the reduction of various metal salts (AgNO3) and organic dyes (methylene blue and methyl orange). It presents a method/protocol-development of the luminescent GQD-Au hybrid particles of size ~ 5–100 nm. The GQD-Au hybrid particles find potential applications in luminescent coating applications. © 2020