  In this work a strategy to grow diamond on $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ has been
presented. The $\zeta$-potential of the $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ substrate was
measured and it was found to be negative with an isoelectric point at pH $\sim$
4.6. The substrates were seeded with mono-dispersed diamond solution for growth
of diamond. The seeded substrates were etched when exposed to diamond growth
plasma and globules of gallium could be seen on the surface. To overcome the
problem $\sim$100 nm of SiO$_2$ and Al$_2$O$_3$ were deposited using atomic
layer deposition. The nanodiamond seeded SiO$_2$ layer was effective in
protecting the $\beta$-Ga$_2$O$_3$ substrate and thin diamond layers could be
grown. In contrast Al$_2$O$_3$ layers were damaged when exposed to diamond
growth plasma. The thin diamond layers were characterised with scanning
electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy revealed the
diamond layer to be under compressive stress of 1.3 -- 2.8GPa.
