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.
$27,282 / 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
$16,481 / 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
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold bangle bracelet. Alex Jona jewels stand out, not only for their special design and for the excellent quality...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tubogas Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection 18k yellow gold Tubogas bangle Bracelet. Designed and hand crafted in Italy. Dimensions : W 2.33in/59.4mm, D 0.29in/7.5mm, H 0.16in/4.21mm. Weight : 25 g...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold and Diamond Bangle
Located in Great Neck, NY
Bangles are so much fun to wear and add a special touch. This yellow gold and diamond bangle contains 6.5 grams of gold and 174 round VS2 , G color diamonds totaling 0.90 carats. It ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,493 / item
W 2.04 in D 0.11 in L 2.46 in
Alex Jona White Diamond 18 Karat Brushed Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat brushed yellow gold bangle bracelet with 9 white diamonds, weighing 0.14 carats in total. Alex Jona jewels stand out, no...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Bangle
Located in Great Neck, NY
Bangles are so much fun to wear and add a special touch. This yellow gold and diamond bangle contains 6.5 grams of 18 karat yellow gold ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Gold Spike Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A spike bangle bracelet handmade in 18K rose gold and set with 1.79 of sparkling diamonds. Also available in yellow gold. Clasp Closure FOLLOW MEGHNA J...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
14 Karat Rose and Yellow Gold Diamond Bangles
By Gregory Mikaelian & Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k rose gold and 14k yellow gold diamond bangle with 142 round full cut diamonds of very fine quality weighing 1.50cts. They are prong set and have milgraining on the sides. 2 Separ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Black Enamel 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A black enamel bangle bracelet handmade in 18K white gold & set in 1.20 carats of sparkling diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the latest collection & exclusive piec...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
$4,200 / item
18 Karat Gold Sun Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast from 18-karat gold, these bangle is hand set with .30 carats of sparkling diamonds. Available in rose, yellow & white gold. See other matching pieces that compliments with Sun c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
$5,100 / item
Tanzanite Diamond 18 Karat Gold Open Bangle Bracelet
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A beautiful bangle bracelet handmade in 18K yellow gold. It is set in 14.48 carats tanzanite and .68 carats of sparkling diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the late...
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$15,500 / item
Baguette Diamond 18 Karat Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A stunning bracelet handmade in 18K gold. It is set in 7.39 carats blue sapphire and 2.07 carats of baguette diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the latest collectio...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold