Method of joining diamond to metal

In a process, for joining a diamond to a metal shank, of the type comprising the steps of applying an alloy selected from the group consisting of gold-tantalum alloys containing from about 1 to about 25 percent by weight of tantalum, and gold-niobium alloys containing from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of niobium to opposing surfaces of said diamond and said metal shank, and melting said alloy in an inert atmosphere;

• the improvement wherein said process proceeds by placing a first layer of said alloy and then said diamond in a depression formed in said metal shank, filling the space around said diamond with an inert powdered material, covering said diamond and said powdered material with a second layer of said alloy, and clamping the above constituents in place with a metal cap using sufficient force to prevent movement of said diamond during the melting of said alloy.