The present invention encompasses an apparatus for pumping a laser (vibronic or otherwise), which comprises: a transition-metal ion-containing solid state laser gain medium; a means for exciting said laser medium to emit coherent radiation said exciting means being a pumping source comprising at least one laser diode operating at a wavelength shorter than 800 nm; and an optical resonator means for generating and controlling said coherent radiation.The present invention also encompasses a method of pumping a laser (vibronic or otherwise) comprising the steps of: generating a laser diode pumping beam at a wavelength shorter than 800 nm; exciting a transition-metal ion-containing solid state laser gain medium by impinging said laser diode pumping beam on said transition-metal ion-containing solid state laser gain medium, so as to excite the laser medium; and an optical resonator to emit coherent radiation.