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.
$15,996 / item
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Bow Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Lyla’s Bow is the first collection designed by Vania Leles. Embodying the spirit of VANLELES’ design, this collection is feminine and timeless, which are a must have for jewellery lo...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$20,685 / item
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Ribbon Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Lyla’s Bow is the first collection designed by Vania Leles. Embodying the spirit of VANLELES’ design, this collection is feminine and timeless, which are a must have for jewellery lo...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Large Heart Shaped Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
O CORAÇÃO AFRICANO Collection Love, my African heart, is a passionate love letter to Africa. A place of great generosity, beauty and opulence and a nod to VANLELES Founder and Creat...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
The most exquisite diamonds and timeless designs created with superior craftsmanship. VANELELES Diamonds’ Bridal Collection offers an extensive selection of engagement rings, showcas...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Single Earring
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
The most exquisite diamonds and timeless designs created with superior craftsmanship. VANELELES Diamonds’ Bridal Collection offers an extensive selection of engagement rings, showcas...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold, White Diamonds and Rubies Large Heart Shaped Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
O CORAÇÃO AFRICANO Collection Love, my African heart, is a passionate love letter to Africa. A place of great generosity, beauty and opulence and a nod to VANLELES Founder and Creat...
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Rubies, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Stud Earrings
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Gorgeous stud earrings in 18 karat white gold structure mounted with rubies in the central part surrounded by white diamonds. Diamonds 0.32 ct Rubies 1.10 ct - 5 mm Total Weight 3.50...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond 18 Karat Gold Heart Stud Earrings
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
These stud earrings are handmade in 18-karat gold and beautifully detailed with 1.07 carats baguette diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to view the latest collection & excl...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Pearls, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Earrings.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Elegant earrings in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with a central pearl surrounded by diamonds. These earrings were totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and they are in ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
White Diamonds, Enamel, 18 Karat White Gold Stud Earrings
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Beautiful stud earrings in 18 karat white gold structure mounted with diamonds in the central part, surrounded by enamel and other diamonds. Diamonds 0.83 ct Total Weight 5.80 gr RF ...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
14 Karat White Gold Single Diamond Stud Earring #21401
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Single Diamond Stud Earrings- This sparkling single diamond stud earring features one round brilliant cut diamond set in classic 14K white gold. Push back closur...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
14 Karat White Gold Single Diamond Stud Earring #19380
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat White Gold Single Diamond Stud Earring- This sparkling stud earring features one round brilliant cut diamond set in 14K white gold. Screw back closure. Approximate total d...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Eostre Moonstone, White South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earring in 18K Gold
Located in Melbourne, AU
This earring in inspired by the Moonstones. The top part of the earring is a Moonstone engulfed by a Diamonds encrusted Moon Crescent followed by a Moonstone Cabochon and at the bott...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Moonstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Carat White Gold Ruby Heart Earrings with Diamond
By La Fleur Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
Ruby stud earrings design as classic elegant style. You can use for everyday and also for the evening party. We use the top quality Ruby which make in invisible setting. The invisibl...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ruby with Diamond Earrings Set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Ruby 5.23 carats with Diamond 0.65 carat Earrings set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings Width: 1.1 cm Length: 3.3 cm Total Weight: 9.47 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 when it...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$10,125Sale Price|25% Off
Ruby Diamond Earring in 18 Karat Rose Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Rose Cut Ruby 13.17 carats Round Diamonds 1.69 carat 18K Rose Gold 21.04 grams
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$5,250
W 0.4 in D 0.14 in L 0.36 in
Chopard 18 Karat Gold Diamond Heart Stud Earrings with Single Floating Diamond
By Chopard
Located in New York, NY
These adorable Chopard heart earrings are bezel set with a single row of round brilliant diamonds. One bezel set diamond floats in each ear. The...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearls, Rubies, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold and White Gold Earrings.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fantastic earrings in 14 kt rose gold structure mounted with a central pearl surrounded by rubies and leaves in white gold studded with diamonds. These earrings were totally handmade...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Fringe Earrings
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 and White Diamonds Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
The most exquisite diamonds and timeless designs created with superior craftsmanship. VANELELES Diamonds’ Bridal Collection offers an extensive selection of engagement rings, showcasing a variety of stone shapes and settings for a truly one of a kind expression of commitment. Eternity rings are designed to flawlessly complement engagement rings to complete a magnificent bridal jewellery set...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold, White Diamonds and Emeralds Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Enchanted Garden Collection 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 v...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
PLEASE NOTE THIS ITEM IS MADE TO ORDER. LEAD PRODUCTION TIME 5-6 WEEKS. A gold-rich collection that pays homage to the tidal sands of West Africa, the sand dunes of Mali, and the famous pilgrimage undertaken by Mansa Musa of the Mali Empire to Mecca . Earrings crafted in 18K Yellow Gold Round Brilliant Diamonds GVS+ = 1.04 ct Earring size 40 x 46 mm Made in Italy This video contains multiple items from our Blazing Trails collection. This listing is for The Blazing Trails 18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Earrings...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Fringe Earrings
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 Rose Gold and Rubies Small Heart Shaped Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
O CORAÇÃO AFRICANO Collection Love, my African heart, is a passionate love letter to Africa. A place of great generosity, beauty and opulence and a nod to VANLELES Founder and Creat...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Climber Earrings
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, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold Small Heart Shaped Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
O CORAÇÃO AFRICANO Collection Love, my African heart, is a passionate love letter to Africa. A place of great generosity, beauty and opulence and a nod to VANLELES Founder and Creat...
18k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat White Gold, Pink Sapphires, Ruby and Rubelite Earrings and Ring
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, Rubelite, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
VANLELES Diamond Gold Pearl Lyla's Bow Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Lyla's Bow earrings studs crafted in 18K rose gold Diamonds G/VS Total carat weight 1.20 carats Detachable 13mm round light pink South Sea pearls...
White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold