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, White Diamonds and Brazilian Aquamarine Necklace
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
This extraordinary and sophisticated piece is part of Lyla’s Bow, the first collection designed by Vania Leles. This is a timeless piece, a must have for jewellery lovers, and the pe...
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$67,907 / item
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Necklace
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
$6,013Sale Price / item|20% Off
18 Karat Yellow Gold, White Diamonds and Rock Crystal Pendant
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. Pendant crafted in 18K Yellow Gold and carved Rock Crystal Round Br...
Crystal, Diamond, White Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold, White Diamonds and Turquoise Pendant
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. Pendant crafted in 18K Yellow Gold and carved Turquoise Round Brill...
Crystal, Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold, Pink Sapphire, Ruby and Rubellite Flower Pendant and Brooch
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 ...
Rubelite, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Bow Pendant
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Lyla’s Bow is the first collection designed by Vania Leles. This collection is feminine and timeless, which are a must have for jewellery lovers, and the perfect gift for someone spe...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Heart Shaped Pendant
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 Rose Gold and White Diamonds Bow Pendant
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
This beautiful necklace is part of Lyla’s Bow, the first collection designed by Vania Leles. Embodying the spirit of VANLELES’ design, this collection is feminine and timeless, a mus...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$10,659 / item
18 Karat Rose Gold and Diamond Mini Pendant
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Drawing from the narrative of the “Dewdrops of the Desert,” the Fleur de Sable collection comes to life. Found in arid landscapes, desert rose formations symbolise resilience, silent...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$27,606 / item
18 Karat Rose Gold and Diamonds Pendant
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Drawing from the narrative of the “Dewdrops of the Desert,” the Fleur de Sable collection comes to life. Found in arid landscapes, desert rose formations symbolise resilience, silent...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian 18 Karat Gold Turquoise and Diamond Leaf Pendant
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A stunning leaf shaped pendant from the Victorian Era. The pendant is elegantly outlined by 1 carat of old European cut diamonds, centrally set wit...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, 9k Gold
Syna Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Pendant with Ruby and Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18k yellow gold Rock Crystal 23 carats approx. Ruby 0.05 carat approx. Diamonds 0.20 carat approx. Chain sold separately Limited edition Crafted from 18k yellow gold and...
Diamond, Crystal, Rock Crystal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold White Freshwater Pearl Necklace
Located in Darien, CT
Beautifully matched in color, size, shape, and luster, this Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold White Freshwater Pearl Necklace makes a striking, el...
Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Chaumet Paris 18 Karat Yellow Gold Heart Necklace
By Chaumet
Located in Paris, FR
CHAUMET 18K yellow Gold Necklace representing intertwined Hearts all the long of the necklace. Eagle head hallmark for 18kt gold Signed : Chaumet and numbered on the Back of the He...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Dime Pearls Necklace 18 Karat Gold
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Dime Pearls = 14 millimeters Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Length: 17 Inches Jewelry Gift Box Included
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,240 / item
L 16.5 in
Alex Jona Pink Sapphire White Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Heart Pendant Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat rose gold pendant necklace suspending a heart cut pink sapphire weighing 1.11 carats in total, surrounded by 0.13 carats ...
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold
Cartier Agrafe Diamond Necklace in 18k White Gold
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cartier diamond link necklace in 18k white gold from the Agrafe collection, accompanied by Cartier certificate of authenticity. This ne...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Victorian Rock Crystal and Yellow Gold Pendant / Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive, rock crystal and 21 karat yellow gold pendant/ brooch; part of our antique jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunning antique Victorian pendant/brooch has been crafted in 21k yellow gold. The impressive oval frame is ornamented to the centre with an exceptional rock crystal panel, displaying finely detailed three leaves, accented with floral decoration. This central convex panel is encompassed with a 21k yellow gold frame ornamented with rope twist decorated borders, in addition to an applied scalloped design accented with scrolling and ball motifs. The reverse of the setting is fitted with a push fit glass panel, which allows a personal memento or keepsake to be displayed. This exceptional Victorian rock crystal pendant...
Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold
White South Sea Pearl Necklace with 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Pave Clasp
Located in Darien, CT
Majestic, sums up this necklace of Graduated White South Sea pearls. Beautifully matched in color, size, shape, and luster, this choker is comprised of 29 perfectly round White Sout...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
Ruby and Diamond Flower Pendant
Located in Great Neck, NY
This beautiful pendant is made from 1.5 grams of 14 karat white gold. The flower shape is made from 6 rubies totaling 0.83 carats with VS2, G color diamonds for the center and as a h...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Chanel 18K Yellow Gold Multicolor Gemstone and Diamond Collar Necklace
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Stunning multicolor gemstone necklace crafted in 18K yellow gold by Chanel. Fits like a collar around your neck making a glamorous stateme...
Amethyst, Diamond, Peridot, Yellow Gold
$7,088
W 1.95 in D 0.52 in L 1.28 in
18 kt. Yellow and White Gold, Turquoise & Diamonds Mattioli Necklace / Pendant
By Mattioli
Located in Antwerp, BE
Gorgeous 18 kt. Yellow and White Gold, Turquoise & Diamonds Mattioli Necklace / Pendant Turquoise: turquoise gemstone 29 mm x 37.8 mm Diamonds: brilliant cut diamonds together 0....
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold and White Diamonds Butterfly Necklace
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Necklace crafted in 18K Rose Gold Round Brilliant Diamonds GVS + = 0.98 carats Chain length = 42 cm The video contains item ref LU638318201222 and LU638318201182. However, this list...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat Rose Gold and White Diamonds Butterfly Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Stud Earrings crafted in 18K Rose Gold Round Brilliant Diamonds GVS+ = 0.56 carats Earring size = 18 x 10 mm The video contains item ref LU638318201182 and LU638318201222 However, t...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Pendant
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 Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Medallion
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
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 . Pendant crafted in 18K Yellow Gold Round Brilliant Diamonds GVS+ = 0.59 ct Pendant size 40 x 46 mm Chain length 80 cm 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...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Stackable Pendants
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, White Gold