Diamonds were first found along the Orange River in 1871.

The discovery of diamonds along the Orange River in 1871 sparked a major diamond rush in South Africa, leading to the establishment of the diamond mining industry in the region. This discovery significantly impacted the economy of South Africa and played a crucial role in the country's development. Today, South Africa is one of the world's leading producers of diamonds, with the majority of its diamond production coming from the Orange River region.