The results of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) demonstrate that the volatiles captured by diamond grown by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technology contain hydrocarbons and their derivatives (72.2 rel. %). We have identified aliphatic (paraffins and olefins), cyclic (naphthenes and arenes) and oxygenated (alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids) hydrocarbons, as well as nitrogenated and sulfonated compounds. Water, negligible amounts of CO2 and Ar were also detected among the volatile components.