Abstract: A cavity of predetermined size is formed in a compressed pressure transmitting powder medium, a mass of diamond crystals in contact with a mass of elemental silicon are disposed within the cavity and additional pressure transmitting powder is placed over the cavity and its contents producing a powder-enveloped cavity. Pressure is applied to the powder medium resulting in substantially isostatic pressure being applied to the cavity therein and its contents sufficient to dimensionally stabilize the cavity and its contents. The resulting shaped substantially isostatic system of powder-enveloped diamond and silicon is hot-pressed to liquefy and infiltrate the silicon through the interstices between the diamond crystals producing, upon cooling, an adherently bonded integral body.