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 Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Macau, MO
This dramatic and fun cocktail ring , set with bright green emeralds from Columbia, totaling 1.16 carats, decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 0.73 carats, mounted in 18 k...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 18k Gold
Captivating 1.22ct Emeralds and Diamonds Cocktail Ring in 14k White Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
Discover unparalleled elegance with this stunning 14K white gold ring, adorned with six captivating oval emeralds totaling 1.1 carats. The vibrant green hue of the emeralds brings a ...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
$2,280Sale Price / item|20% Off
Designer Rare Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring Crafted in Solid 18k White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Designer Rare Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K Gold featuring natural emerald of 1.06 carats and diamonds of 0.68 carats. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every style. Eme...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
This 18K white gold elegant ring is from our Timeless Collection. It is made of a beautiful emerald 8.2 Carat decorated by natural colorless diamonds in total of 0.92 Carat. Total me...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.19 Carat Natural Emerald and Diamond Cocktail Ring Set in 18K White Gold
Located in Tokyo, JP
A stunning ring featuring a 1.19 Carat Natural Emerald and 0.82 Carats of Diamond Accents set in 18 Karat White Gold. People have admired emerald’s green for thousands of years. Emer...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Spectrum Jewels 6.57 Carat Emerald Diamond Accent 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
This 6.57 Carat Emerald Diamond Accent 18k White Gold Cocktail Ring focal point is a emerald gemstone, with the center emerald set with diamonds on side making a leaf like structure ...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
This 18K white gold stunning ring is from our Timeless Collection. It is made of a beautiful oval emerald 2.31 Carat decorated by natural colorless diamonds in total of 0.6 Carat. To...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Emerald, Diamond and 18K White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Derby, NY
Discover the beauty of this 18K white gold cocktail ring featuring 9 dazzling princess cut emeralds and sparkling natural diamonds. The stunning design will add elegance to any outfi...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
5.35 Carat Natural Emerald & Diamond 14k Solid White Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
5.35 Carats Natural Emerald and Diamond 14K Solid White Gold Ring Total Natural Green Emerald Weight is: Approx. 2.10 Carats Emerald Measures: Approx. 8.00 x 6.00mm Natural Round ...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
$8,051Sale Price / item|20% Off
Spectrum Jewels 6.57 Carat Emerald Diamond Accent 14k White Gold Cocktail Ring
By Spectrum Jewels
Located in Deira, Dubai
This 6.57 Carat Emerald Diamond Accent 14k White Gold Cocktail Ring focal point is a emerald gemstone, with the center emerald set with diamonds on side making a leaf like structure ...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold, White Diamonds and Emerald Ring
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 . R...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Wide Band Ring
By VANLELES DIAMONDS
Located in Mayfair, London, GB
This ring is part of our iconic heritage collection, Legends of Africa. Vania celebrates the beauty and strength of her African homeland with intricate designs, infused with the int...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold, Emeralds and Diamonds Earrings
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, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat White Gold and White Diamonds Heart Shaped Cocktail Ring
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 Yellow Gold, White Diamonds and Emeralds Wing Earrings
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 . E...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold, Emeralds and Diamonds Small Earrings
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, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
