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, Diamonds, Pink Sapphire, Ruby and Tsavorite Earrings
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, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tsavo...
18 Karat White Gold, Black Diamonds and White Diamonds Chandelier Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Legends of Africa, Our iconic heritage collection. Vania celebrates the beauty and strength of her African homeland with intricate designs, infused with the intensity of the finest ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$37,705 / item
18 Karat White Gold, White Diamonds Stiletto Earrings
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, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold, White Diamonds and Yellow Sapphire Chandelier Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Legends of Africa, Our iconic heritage collection. Vania celebrates the beauty and strength of her African homeland with intricate designs, infused with the intensity of the finest ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,860Sale Price|20% Off
Pink Sapphire and Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gorgeous pair of hanging pink sapphire and diamond drop earrings. The greatest part is how perfectly the pink sapphires graduate in color from deep pink to light pink. The center sec...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Black Onyx Pyramids Dangling 18 Karat Yellow Gold Chandelier Earrings
By FERRUCCI
Located in New York, NY
From FERRUCCI Pyramids collection, these black Onyx pyramid cuts, set in 18k yellow gold dangling earrings, hand made in New York city by Italian designer Francesco Ferrucci, an Art ...
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$32,320
W 1.15 in D 0.24 in L 2.07 in
Yellow Diamond, Onyx & White Diamond Earrings, 18K Gold, Austy Lee
By Austy Lee
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The Dance of Five Emperors Earrings from 'The Garden of Myth Collection' by Austy Lee. This dazzling pair of earrings is feature with Natural Yellow Diamonds, Onxy and White Diamond...
Onyx, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Yellow Gold
$3,980
H 2.2 in L 2.2 in
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby Sapphire Emerald Long Earrings
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
S.Georgios designer Earrings 18 Karat yellow gold all handmade and microscopically decorated with granulation workmanship and a unique velvet finish on the background. This stunning ...
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Burma Ruby and Diamond Earrings Studded in 18 Karat Rose & White Gold
By GEM PLAZA
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent Burma Ruby and Diamond Earrings Studded in 18 Karat Rose & White Gold These are an exclusive earrings with ruby & diamonds features 28 pieces of rubies weight 8.47 carat...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
$7,591
W 0.79 in L 2.37 in
Pair of Ladies Diamond and Emerald Chandelier Earrings, 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Ladies Diamond and Emerald Chandelier Earrings, 18 Karat White Gold Set with 182 diamonds, total weight 1.86 ct. (VS, H...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Blue Sapphire and Diamond Chandelier Earrings
By Diamond Scene New York
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of classic chandelier earrings with a pop of BLUE! 8.46 carats of blue sapphires 4.90 carats of white round brilliant cut diamonds 18k white gold Approximatel...
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
$1,560Sale Price|40% Off
W 0.5 in L 3.25 in
Contemporary 18K White Gold Pink Tourmaline Diamond Tassel Earrings
By Deborah Lockhart Phillips
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of faceted pink tourmalines with seed pearls at the bottom. 18K white gold and pave` set diamond rondells as well as the top stud which has a 3/8ths inch diameter Great look a...
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
$18,200
W 0.95 in D 0.28 in L 1.89 in
Unheated Ruby, White South Sea Pearl & Diamond Earrings, 18K Gold, Austy Lee
By Austy Lee
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The Many Cs Earrings from 'The Ikhor Collection' by Austy Lee. The concept for this collection comes from Greek mythology, where ikhor is the blood of gods and immortals. The pieces ...
Ruby, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, Rhodium, White Gold, 18k Gold
$4,600Sale Price|50% Off
H 1.5 in W 0.52 in
18K White Gold Cluster Tsavorite, Yellow, Pink Sapphire 0.64ct Diamond Earrings
Located in เกาะสมุย, TH
A vibration of color and craftsmanship, these fine floral dangle earrings are meticulously handcrafted in 18k white gold and adorned with an exquisite trio of rare gemstones. Each ea...
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Wh...
$1,560Sale Price|40% Off
W 0.5 in L 3 in
Amethyst, Diamond and 18 Karat White Gold Chandelier Tassel Earrings
Located in Nantucket, MA
A pair of faceted amethyst tassel earrings with rich color. Pave`-set diamonds along the 18K white gold rondelle and earring post, for pierced ears. Ha...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold
$3,503 / set
D 0.28 in Dm 0.63 in
Alex Jona Burmese Jadeite Jade Tsavorite 18 Karat White Gold Clip-On Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold earrings consisting of two Burmese Jade discs centered by tsavorite pavé buttons. Dimension : Diameter 0.63 in...
Jade, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Chandelier Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Legends of Africa Our iconic heritage collection. Vania celebrates the beauty and strength of her African homeland with intricate designs, infused with the intensity of the finest ...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and Tsavorites Stiletto Earrings
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, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ethically Sourced Emeralds Earrings in 18K White Gold and White Diamonds
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Vania celebrates the beauty and strength of her African homeland with intricate designs, infused with the intensity of the finest emeralds and exquisite diamonds. This collection was...
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Rose Gold and Diamond Multicolored Sapphire Dangle Earrings and Ring Suite
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Earrings crafted in 18K rose gold Tsavorite round x49 = 1.95 carats Pink sapphire round x52 = 2.40 carats Orange sapphire round x42 = 1.65 carats Blue sapphire round x44 = 1.50 carats Yellow sapphire round x50 = 1.90 carats Ruby round x30 = 0.20 carats Tsavorite Pear...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold...
Vanleles Diamond Blue Sapphire Detachable Enchanted Garden Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Earrings crafted in 18K white gold (Palladium) Diamond G VS x62 pieces = 1.00 carats ...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
VANLELES Diamond Sapphire Gold Legends Of Africa Earrings
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
Earrings crafted in 18K rose gold Diamond round G/VS x40 = 1.62 carats Pink sapphire round x242 = 9.80 carats Pink tourmaline round x2 = 1.00 carat
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold