To isolate a fullerene from a mixture containing fullerenes, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and a carbon polymer component without discharging the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon out of the system.

A process for preparing fullerenes comprises steps wherein (step A) a mixture of fullerenes, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and a carbon polymer component is prepared through a combustion or thermal decomposition method using a hydrocarbon compound as a raw material, (step B) the mixture at least containing the fullerens and the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is heated in an inert gas to sublime and isolate the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and (step C) the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon obtained in step B is reused as a heating material required for sublimation in step B.