VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
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.
2010s British Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Blue Topaz, Paraiba, Tourmaline, Topaz, White Diamond, Diamond, Titanium...
2010s Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s American Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Tsavorite, Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Amethyst, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, Peridot, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Blue Topaz, Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, Citrine, Iolite, Amethyst, Kunzite, Onyx, Peridot, 18k G...
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary VANLELES DIAMONDS Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold