Abstract: A diamond synthesizing method introduces a mixed gas of hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen gas into a reaction vessel (9) which is maintained under a pressure of 1 to 100 Torr. A dc discharge is caused across a cathode (1) and an anode (2), thereby depositing diamond on a substrate (3) which is placed on the anode (2). A positive column of H.alpha.>CH is produced with a high formation rate of atomic hydrogen for promoting decomposition of the hydrocarbon gas, and the concentration of hydrocarbon is reduced while maintaining the condition. According to this method, it is possible to synthesize high-quality diamond, which hardly any non-diamond carbon components such as amorphous carbon and graphite, at a film forming rate of about 1 .mu.m/h.