Abstract: Graphite substrate holders for employment in apparatus for chemical vapor deposition of diamond decrease the tendency of the formed diamond sheets to crack or shatter upon separation from the substrates. Said holders and the substrates therein preferably have rounded edges, to suppress crack formation at sharp corners. The holders are preferably coated, at least in part, with a tie-layer and a hydride-forming metal such as niobium. Also, certain maximum distances between the edges of the holder and substrates are preferably maintained in order to prevent contact of diamond with a heated filament employed for thermal activation.