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.
18 Karat Rose Gold, White Diamonds and Carved Amethyst Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Our iconic Nile collection features bold shapes and chunky volumes, adorned with our unique Nile arabesque motif. Bracelet crafted in 18K Rose Gold and carved Amethyst Round Brillia...
Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$27,510 / item
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Bangle
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
The Nile Collection is an elevated and elegant take on the exotic theme of ancient Egypt. The Nile, the longest river in the world also called the father of African rivers, served as...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold, Diamonds, Pink Sapphire, Ruby and Tsavorite Flower Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Step into a world of delight and magic, where flowers burst into bloom in a spectacular display of colourful gemstones and floral splendour. Inspired by vibrant African print, this c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Go...
18 Karat Yellow Gold, White Diamonds and Rock Crystal Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Our iconic Nile collection features bold shapes and chunky volumes, adorned with our unique Nile arabesque motif. Bracelet crafted in 18K Yellow Gold and carved Rock Crystal Round B...
Crystal, Diamond, White Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$55,709 / item
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Featuring motifs from North African empires, VANLELES’ Nile Collection, is a meticulously crafted homage to ancient Egypt's spiritual Nile River, featuring opulent designs that celeb...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,089Sale Price|25% Off
H 0.32 in L 6.89 in
White Diamonds, Rubies, Blue Sapphires 18 Karat White Gold Flowers Link Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Refine link/tennis bracelet, (flower theme) in 18K white gold composed of white diamonds and blue sapphires flowers and white diamonds rubies flowers. Diamonds 3.62 ct Rubies and Blu...
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Cartier Trinity 18 Karat Yellow White and Rose Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Great Neck, NY
Cartier Trinity 18k Yellow White and Rose Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet Cartier, Circa 1992, wonderful Trinity cuff bangle bracelet made of 18k White, Yellow,...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$3,411Sale Price|20% Off
Yoko London Freshwater Pearl, Ruby and Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Bangle
By Yoko London
Located in London, GB
This split bangle by Yoko London is simple, yet beautiful. Featuring a 9.5-10mm white freshwater pearl on one end, coupled with a vivid 0.31ct red ruby surrounded by diamonds to create a flower shape on the other end. Perfectly proportioned in size against one another, this bangle is the perfect addition to ones jewelry...
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold...
18 Karat Rose Gold Diamond Delicate Baguette Bangle Bracelet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This delicate square baguette bangle is crafted in 18-karat rose gold, weighing approximately 1.62 total carats of V-Quality white diamond. Side clasp closure. Fits wrists up to 6...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$16,701 / item
H 2.37 in W 2.76 in D 0.2 in
Alex Jona White Diamond Pavé 18 Karat White Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold bangle bracelet set with 165 white diamonds, F color, VVS1 clari...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamonds Snake 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, IT
Beautiful 18 karat yellow gold snake bracelet with green,blue and red enamel. Snake-shaped jewels always have a particular charm and denote grace, seduction and mystery. In many civi...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$5,280
W 0.48 in L 7.49 in
South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite and Diamond Bracelet in 18 Karat White Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite 6.70 carats and Diamond 0.69 carat Bracelet set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings Width: 1.2 cm Length: 19.0 cm Total Weight: 40.28 grams South Se Pearl:...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Double Wire Diamond Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By Campanelli & Pear
Located in Troy, MI
Wrap her wrist in the sparkle and comfort. This double wire bracelet is crafted in 18k white gold accented with a 18k yellow bar of diamonds. Bracelet secures with a safety chain cla...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Sabbadini 18k Yellow and White Gold Bangle Bracelet with Diamonds
By Sabbadini
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This lovely Late-20th century Sabbadini, flexible bangle bracelet is comprised of repeating slightly puffed links, each edged with delicate gold rope and with three white gold links ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamonds Snake 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, IT
Beautiful 18 karat yellow gold snake bracelet mounted with natural diamonds and green,blue and red enamel, the bracelet can be adapted to any wrist size as shown in the video. Snake-...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Notre Dame Rock Crystal Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Rock crystal is a luminous alternative to diamonds. David Webb loved pearls and thought they should be "as big as lima beans." The Twilight Collection exude...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond and Rubelite Bracelet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
18K Yellow Gold Dia 2.50cts An 18 Yellow Gold bangle with an array of diamonds. This beautiful bangle also has a 3 rubelite following the pattern of the decorative design in the bang...
Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Bangle
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
New additions to our iconic Nile collection. This new edition features bold shapes and chunky volumes, adorned with our unique Nile arabesque motif. Bracelet crafted in 18K Yellow G...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold and White Diamonds Bangle
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
New additions to our iconic Nile collection. This new edition features bold shapes and chunky volumes, adorned with our unique Nile arabesque motif. Bracelet crafted in 18K Rose Gol...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold, White Diamonds and Malachite Bangle
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
New additions to our iconic Nile collection. This new edition features bold shapes and chunky volumes, adorned with our unique Nile arabesque motif. Bracelet crafted in 18K Yellow G...
Diamond, White Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold, White Diamond and Blue Sapphire Bangle Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Bangle crafted in18K white gold Round Brilliant Diamond: x1.416 pieces = 14.28 carats ...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold