The modern history of the diamond industry started in the late 1860s, with the discovery of a bright pebble on a farm in South Africa. Soon, prospectors had spread throughout the Kimberley area (and, eventually, into neighboring countries) looking for--and finding--many major alluvial deposits and the host pipes themselves. For more than a hundred years, countries on the African continent dominated the supply of gem diamonds. Even today, they continue to provide millions of carats annually for the consumer market. The lead article in this issue, Part I of a two-part series, provides a fascinating history of the diamond discoveries in southern Africa. The 27.74 ct yellow diamond in the pendant to this diamond necklace is of African origin; it is surrounded by 19 circular-cut diamonds, which range from 0.90 to 2.53 ct. Necklace by Harry Winston; photo courtesy of Christie's.