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.
$54,449 / 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
White South Sea Pearl Necklace with 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Pave Clasp
Located in Darien, CT
This majestic graduated White South Sea Pearl choker necklace is made of 29 perfectly round cultured pearls beautifully matched in color, size, shape and luster, and finished with a ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 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
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
Alex Jona South Sea and Tahitian Pearl 18 Karat White Gold Choker Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold choker necklace (17 inch/43 cm) with two natural pearls, 11 mm diameter, one white South Sea and one grey from...
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
French 1980s Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bow Ribbon Necklace
Located in Poitiers, FR
Necklace in 14 karat yellow gold, shell hallmark. This feminine vintage necklace is made of flat, woven, flexible mesh that resembles a ribbon tied at the front. A white gold clasp h...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Akoya Cultured Pearl Signature X Necklace 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
Tiffany & Co Classic Signature X Akoya Cultured Pearl Strand Necklace in 18 KT Yellow Gold. The pearls measure 9 - 9.5 MM with an even creamy luster. It is 18 inches long with "...
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$204,375 / item
W 18.51 in D 0.4 in L 0.4 in
Kuntzite and Diamonds 14 Karat White and Yellow Gold Necklace
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Stunning Kunzite Necklace composed of 3 pear shape Beautiful lilac-pink 20ct kunzites. Kunzite is the best-known variety of the mineral spodumene. It’s...
Diamond, Kunzite, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Empires Ancient Silver Coin 18 Karat Yellow Gold Choker Necklace
By DUBINI
Located in London, GB
This DUBINI coin choker from the 'Empires' collection features an authentic silver Roman Imperial coin and an authentic silver Persepolis coin minted circ...
18k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
Vintage Black Enamel and Diamond Collar Necklace in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Pre owned vintage 18K yellow gold collar necklace with black enamel and diamonds. The heavy weight hollow collar is hinged on the sides and slightly ova...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18 Karat Yellow Gold 3.56 Carat Flexible Diamond Choker Collar Necklace
Located in Great neck, NY
This is a Beautfiul Diamond Choker Collar Necklace which is adjustable for comfort. Crafted of 14K White Gold features 136 Natural Roun...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s 18 Karat Yellow Gold Omega Layered Necklace
Located in Boston, MA
Vintage 1980's 18K Yellow Gold Omega Layered Necklace - The 18K gold links are 2.7mm wide with a brushed finish. The layered chain is attached with a leaf design link and the clasp i...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond "Y" Necklace
Located in Great Neck, NY
This beautiful necklace gives you a unique "Y" shape enhanced with diamonds. There are 9 diamonds that makeup part of the "Y" and 1 on the bottom which make up a total of 0.50 carats...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold