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.
$55,899 / 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
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
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
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
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
Alex Jona White Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Snake Coil Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat brushed yellow gold flexible coil snake bracelet. Two drop cut diamonds weighting 0.19 carats set on the head of the serp...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,622 / item
W 2.04 in D 0.1 in L 2.46 in
Alex Jona White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat brushed white gold bangle bracelet set with 9 white diamonds, 0.14 carats i...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$63,986Sale Price|35% Off
W 0.8 in Dm 2.5 in
Georgios Collection 18 Karat White Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Cuff Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer flexible Five bangle cuff multi-layers bracelet is custom made of white and yellow gold 18 karats. The gorgeous cuff has brilliant cut white diamonds total weight...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Bro...
Alex Jona White Diamond 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 featuring 8 brilliant cut white diamonds, F color, VVS1 clarity, weighing 0.76 carats in total...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,399Sale Price|34% Off
W 2.1 in Dm 2.1 in
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Rose Gold Black and White Diamond Cuff Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer bangle cuff bracelet is custom made of rose gold 18 karats. The gorgeous cuff has brilliant cut white diamonds total weight of 0.47 Carat and brilliant-cut black ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Blac...
$24,840
H 0.52 in D 1.89 in Dm 2.29 in
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet with White Diamonds
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
Presenting S.Georgios Designer bracelet all handmade from solid 18 Karat Yellow Gold and microscopically decorated with yellow gold wires and a unique Byzantine velvet background. Th...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
R.C.M. 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bracelet with Pave Diamond Hearts and Emeralds
By RCM
Located in New York, NY
Founded in 1969 in Valenza, Italy RCM is well known for their classic designs in modern appeal. This bracelet is a perfect example of their unique styling. The 18 karat yellow gold f...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,965
W 0.2 in Dm 2.17 in
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Thin Cuff Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer thin bangle cuff bracelet is custom made of Yellow and White gold 18 karats. The gorgeous cuff has brilliant cut white diamonds total weight of 0.80 Carat set mic...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Blac...
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Bow Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
FESTIVE SEASON SPECIAL SALES - for the first time we are offering special prices on all our fine jewellery creations for the next 4 weeks. Please note that if shipping within the UK ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold, White Diamonds and Ethically Sourced Emeralds Bracelet
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
This magnificent bracelet is part of our iconic heritage collection, Legends of Africa. Our Founder and Creative Director Vania celebrates the beauty and strength of her African home...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Gold Diamonds and Ethically Sourced Emeralds Bracelet and Cocktail Ring
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Legends of Africa Our iconic heritage collection. Vania celebrates the beauty and strength of her African homeland with intricate designs, infused with the intensity of the finest ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold