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 White Gold and White Diamonds Butterfly Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Stud Earrings crafted in 18K White Gold Round Brilliant Diamonds GVS + = 2.00 carats Earring size = 27 x 21 mm Made in Italy
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Impressive Pink Sapphire Pink Quartz White Diamond Gold 18 Karat Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings White Gold 18 K Diamond 56-Round 57-0,67-3/4A Pink Quartz 2-Oval-14,87 3/3A Punk Sapphire 58-Round-2,38 1/2A Weight 13.95 gram With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry...
Diamond, Sapphire, Quartz, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
$2,925 / item
H 0.48 in W 0.52 in D 0.12 in
Alex Jona White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Butterfly Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold diamond stud earrings set with 0.49 carats of white diamonds, F color, VVS1 clarity. Dimensions : H 0.47 in x...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gubelin 18-karat White Gold Diamond Omega Earrings
By Gubelin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These Gubelin earrings have timeless allure, meticulously crafted with diamonds and 18-karat white gold. These earrings feature 40 round diamonds that weigh approximately 0.65 carat...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Nini 18K White Gold Invisible-Set Purple Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
Located in Houston, TX
18K white gold earrings with invisible-set purple sapphires and diamonds designed by Nini. There are 140 princess-cut purple sapphires that total 18.50 carats. In addition, there...
Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,340 / item
H 0.32 in W 0.32 in D 0.1 in
Alex Jona White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Open Square Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold diamond lever-back earrings featuring 0.61 carats of white diamonds, G color, VVS1-VVS2 clarity. Alex Jona je...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$4,680Sale Price / item|20% Off
Fashion Amethyst Diamond Yellow Gold 18 Karat Drop Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings Yellow Gold 18 K (Matching Necklace and Ring Available) Diamond 8-Round 57-0,1-5/5A Diamond 6-Round 57-0,04-4/5A Amethyst 16-Oval-3,09 2/1A Amethyst 16-Oval-3,09 3/1A Weight...
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold
$3,650Sale Price / item|20% Off
Impressive Quartz Diamond White Gold 18 Karat Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings White Gold 18 K Diamond 36-Round 57-0,19-3/4A Diamond 66-Round 57-1,71-7/5A Quartz 2-13,28 ct Weight 12.73 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions...
Diamond, Quartz, 14k Gold
$2,434Sale Price|20% Off
Pure Purple High Grade Amethyst Diamond White 18 Karat Gold Earrings
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Earrings White Gold 18 K Diamond 80 RND -0,36ct Amethyst 2-3,41ct Weight 3,14 grams With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva based jewellery...
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Italian 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Dome Pierced Lever Back Earrings 3.85 Carats
Located in North Miami, FL
These gorgeous and arresting pair of white pave diamond dome lever back pierced earrings have quite the presence. They are 18K white gold s...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Sapphire and Diamond White Gold Earrings
Located in Darnestown, MD
Elegant sapphire and diamond earrings set in 18 karat white gold. Each earring is centered with four diamonds of H color; VS quality and weighing approximately a total of half a cara...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Salavetti 18-karat Two Tone Gold White and Yellow Diamond Heart Earrings
By Salavetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elevate your romance and style with these enchanting yellow and diamond heart-shaped earrings made by Salavetti. These earrings feature approximately 3.93 total carat weight in both...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,282 / item
H 0.43 in W 0.51 in D 0.15 in
Alex Jona Blue Sapphire White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Butterfly Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold stud earrings featuring 0.70 carats of blue sapphires and white diamonds total carats 0.02. Alex Jona jewels...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold, White Diamonds, Rubies and Rubellite Earclips
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Inspired by the enchanted atmosphere of African forests, by the majestic Baobabs and the richly intricate Acacia trees. Expanding on VANLELES’ iconic Enchanted Garden Collection, Aca...
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold