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.
$18,140 / item
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds Ring
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
1940s Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Platinium Gold Retro Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, owl hallmark, and platinum. Incredible retro ring, its setting is formed of a wide ring and a tray with two convex gold discs each with a scroll decorat...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1960s Sugarloaf Turquoise Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Incredible retro ring, it is set with an important cabochon of turquoise cut in sugar loaf and surrounded by diamonds. The setting is made of a set of g...
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Nova 18 Karat Yellow Gold and 4.35 Carat Diamond Baguette Ring
Located in New York, NY
This 18 karat yellow gold ring was designed by Nova. A beautiful setting highlighting Baguette cut Diamonds set horizontally in a unique step pattern. Ring size 6.25 sizing options ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ruby Emerald and Diamond 18-Karat Gold Dome Ring
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Exquisite ring with an artful design and make. It is a dome ring with a vivid red marquise cut ruby in its center, from which four lines of square emera...
Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Alex Sepkus "Cushion" Ring with Yellow and White Diamonds in 18 Karat Gold
By Alex Sepkus
Located in SOLVANG, CA
From the studio of Alex Sepkus in New York - 18 karat yellow gold "Cushion" ring with 16 brilliant diamonds. A Cushion of organic shapes and textures… that’s just ripe for the picking. Non-symmetrical, unpredictable shapes and symbols that are precisely created to coexist with one another. The Orchard ring...
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,525Sale Price|35% Off
Old European Cut Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Ring
Located in Lucerne, CH
This elaborately dome shaped ring in 18 karat white gold features a charming 1.11 carats Old European cut diamond of J color and si1 clarity. Surrounded by 10 brilliant cut diamonds ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Cabochon Chalcedony Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Elegant antique ring, its basket all in smoothness supports an important cabochon of chalcedony retained with 4x2 claws. This one is surmounted on both ...
Chalcedony, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Nova 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Tapered Baguette Diamond 2.88 Carat Ring
Located in New York, NY
This 18 karat yellow gold ring was designed by Nova. A unique domed setting highlights the tapered Baguette Cut Diamonds which are set with geometric puzzle effect. Ring size 6.25 ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,576Sale Price|30% Off
Black Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Lucerne, CH
Pear shaped cocktail ring, pavé set with brilliant cut black diamonds, total weight 3.68 carats. Mounting in 18 karat white gold. The exact ...
Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
French 1940s Retro Duo Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ball Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold. Large domed bangle, this retro ring is set on its top with 2 antique brilliant-cut diamonds set with platinum claws, and 2 smaller antique brilliant-cut...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Claris-A Zebra Dome Ring 18 Karat Gold White and Yellow Diamond
By Claris-A
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Dashing diamond domed ring ! A tiger like pattern set with contrasting yellow and white diamond set in 18 kt white gold. Diamond total wei...
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
20th Century Mediterranean Coral Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat yellow gold, owl hallmark, and platinum. Pompadour ring, it is decorated in closed setting with a cabochon of Mediterranean coral, in a surround of antique- cut diamonds. The basket is beautifully openworked, and the start of the ring decorated on both sides of a smooth gold leaf. Weight of the coral : 7.50 carats approximately. Total weight of the diamonds : about 0.40 carat. Height : 24.4 mm, width : 17 mm, thickness : 6.9 mm, width of the ring at the base : 2.7 mm. Total weight of the jewel : 6,3 g approximately. US Size : 6,5 ; Free resize, please contact us. Antique jewel - Work of the beginning of the XXth century. Our opinion : The setting of this antique coral ring...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum