VANLELES DIAMONDS Jewelry

Every VANLELES Diamonds creation is an homage to the beauty of Africa. Vania Leles started the jewelry brand to showcase the gemstones and diamonds of her home continent. Each ethically sourced piece is inspired by African history and landscapes, with precious stones transformed into stunning jewelry like dangle earrings, pendant necklaces and cocktail rings.

Leles was born in Guinea-Bissau and later studied in Lisbon and London. Her work as a model took her to Paris and New York until she settled in London. In 2003, she had the idea for a jewelry brand while on a fine jewelry shoot. Someone on set told her that Africa was the origin of some of the world’s most precious and semi-precious stones. Yet when she did some research, she discovered that there was a lack of fine jewelry African designers working with these stones.

Leles decided to establish her own African and female-led jewelry house, but her mother urged her to slow down. “She suggested I get ten years of experience before launching my own company,” Leles told Introspective. Taking her advice, she quit modeling, earned a gemology degree from GIA London and was hired as a gemologist by Graff. She later worked at De Beers and Sotheby’s.

In 2011, Leles launched VANLELES Diamonds. She opened a store on New Bond Street in London, a major center of the international jewelry trade. She began small, taking commissions for engagement rings and tennis bracelets. In 2015, a loyal client became an investor, and Leles relocated to the prestigious Brook Street.

When designing, Leles told The Study, she envisions her pieces for “a dynamic and elegant woman who isn’t afraid to wear grand jewelry with the same ease while in jeans and a white shirt or in a gown.”

Since the beginning, Leles has maintained a strict policy of only sourcing diamonds from certified conflict-free suppliers. This includes stones from all over the African continent, including Mozambique, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

On 1stDibs, find VANLELES Diamonds earrings, necklaces, rings and more.

Vanleles Diamonds jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of VANLELES DIAMONDS jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage VANLELES DIAMONDS jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that VANLELES DIAMONDS diamond jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 65, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 73 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. Contemporary and Romantic are among the most popular styles of VANLELES DIAMONDS jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 21st century and contemporary. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by RAREVER, Evangeline London, and Liv Luttrell. Prices for VANLELES DIAMONDS jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,274 and tops out at $147,035, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $18,431.