The disclosure relates to the inclusion of an image embedded in or on a single crystal diamond such that the image is part of the single crystal diamond structure. The disclosed methods use a combination of gemstone deposition processes and patterning processes to create single crystal gemstones with embedded color variations that can create externally visible two-dimensional or three-dimensional images in a seamless single crystal matrix without visible internal lines/interfacial boundaries. The image embedded image is differently colored from the surrounding diamond matrix. The color variation is accomplished by a change in the diamond growth conditions or treatment of the diamond.