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Vasili jewelry is handmade in NYC

-all solid gold versions by request

Who exactly even is Vasili?

The artist formerly known as Billy Malkotsis (est. 1995) was, since childhood, destined to be a BMX stuntman. At the age of 18 he used pursuit of an Engineering-Physics degree to justify moving from winter-stricken NY to sunny UC San Diego, but a freak accident that year left him no longer physically able to compete in pro action sports circuits. Much searching for soul and meaning, along with a major life pivot was necessary as a result.


Having missed so much class time and still wanting to graduate with his freshman peers, switching majors to Economics was his best response to a new reality. In spite of private banking internships, Vasili had been shadowing and networking among BMX entrepreneurs, cannabis cultivators, and glass makers while yearning for unobtainable luxuries known to exist. After graduating with no nepotism in the financial sector, he looked simply at economics to discern the next move: alteration of raw materials.


Realizing then that precious metal smithing was not impossible, it finally dawned on him to control the means of production in an area of passion, and that art school probably would've been a better choice. Some cursory research on jewelry of his Greek ancestors led to self-learning how to weave chains by hand from silver wire. This led Vasili to feel a new connection to his own existence, and it was the first time since his pre-injury BMX days that he felt true purpose.


New York city was calling him, so he went home, where attending Studio Jewelers' Trade School in Manhattan became Vasili's solace. After getting his chops on the bench, he took a job at a leading jewelry supply company as a 3d printer technician. Climbing the ranks there to sales engineer, it eroded his life energy to spend 50+ hours per week in a cubicle selling to artists on the phone doing what he really wanted to do himself: make jewelry. 


June 2019 saw Vasili resign from gainful employment and immerse fully into the gig economy as a jewelry maker. Those entrepreneurs he’d been lucky enough to call friends this whole time would become Vasili’s first private clients, for whom he proudly continues to make sterling silver and gold works of art. Formally debuting the first Vasili collection on March 3rd 2020 in SoHo was a euphoric triumph for the native New Yorker, until it wasn’t. Navigating this new paradigm shift as a bespoke designer, Vasili will continue to adapt design and execute his styling whether or not projects are paid with cryptocurrency or grains of rice. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LOOKING :-)

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All Vasili jewelry is made to order; please allow up to 3 weeks from date of purchase for shipment.

Vasili hopes you absolutely love your new jewelry, but in the event you’re not totally satisfied with your purchase, rest assured you’ll have the option to return for up to 7 calendar days after date of receipt, and exchange for store credit for up to two weeks after date of receipt.

Custom orders must be paid for in advance and are non-refundable.

All returns are subject to a restocking fee dependent on the condition of goods returned.

Above all, our most important policy is that we will strive to make your experience shopping with us a positive one.

For more information, please reach Vasili himself directly.

Shop
About
Contact
Policy
All
Necklace
Bracelet
Ring
Email
Instagram
Wholesale

All Vasili jewelry is made to order; please allow up to 3 weeks from date of purchase for shipment.

Vasili hopes you absolutely love your new jewelry, but in the event you’re not totally satisfied with your purchase, rest assured you’ll have the option to return for up to 7 calendar days after date of receipt, and exchange for store credit for up to two weeks after date of receipt.

Custom orders must be paid for in advance and are non-refundable.

All returns are subject to a restocking fee dependent on the condition of goods returned.

Above all, our most important policy is that we will strive to make your experience shopping with us a positive one.

For more information, please reach Vasili himself directly.

Vasili jewelry is handmade in NYC

-all solid gold versions by request

Who exactly even is Vasili?

The artist formerly known as Billy Malkotsis (est. 1995) was, since childhood, destined to be a BMX stuntman. At the age of 18 he used pursuit of an Engineering-Physics degree to justify moving from winter-stricken NY to sunny UC San Diego, but a freak accident that year left him no longer physically able to compete in pro action sports circuits. Much searching for soul and meaning, along with a major life pivot was necessary as a result.


Having missed so much class time and still wanting to graduate with his freshman peers, switching majors to Economics was his best response to a new reality. In spite of private banking internships, Vasili had been shadowing and networking among BMX entrepreneurs, cannabis cultivators, and glass makers while yearning for unobtainable luxuries known to exist. After graduating with no nepotism in the financial sector, he looked simply at economics to discern the next move: alteration of raw materials.


Realizing then that precious metal smithing was not impossible, it finally dawned on him to control the means of production in an area of passion, and that art school probably would've been a better choice. Some cursory research on jewelry of his Greek ancestors led to self-learning how to weave chains by hand from silver wire. This led Vasili to feel a new connection to his own existence, and it was the first time since his pre-injury BMX days that he felt true purpose.


New York city was calling him, so he went home, where attending Studio Jewelers' Trade School in Manhattan became Vasili's solace. After getting his chops on the bench, he took a job at a leading jewelry supply company as a 3d printer technician. Climbing the ranks there to sales engineer, it eroded his life energy to spend 50+ hours per week in a cubicle selling to artists on the phone doing what he really wanted to do himself: make jewelry. 


June 2019 saw Vasili resign from gainful employment and immerse fully into the gig economy as a jewelry maker. Those entrepreneurs he’d been lucky enough to call friends this whole time would become Vasili’s first private clients, for whom he proudly continues to make sterling silver and gold works of art. Formally debuting the first Vasili collection on March 3rd 2020 in SoHo was a euphoric triumph for the native New Yorker, until it wasn’t. Navigating this new paradigm shift as a bespoke designer, Vasili will continue to adapt design and execute his styling whether or not projects are paid with cryptocurrency or grains of rice. 

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LOOKING :-)

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American Traditional Necklace (6mm)
American Traditional Necklace (6mm)
American Traditional Necklace (6mm)
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, American Traditional Necklace (6mm)
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, American Traditional Necklace (6mm)
  • Load image into Gallery viewer, American Traditional Necklace (6mm)
American Traditional Necklace (6mm)
$1,400.00
$1,400.00
Sold out

A direct reference to the classic tattooing style.

Vasili began developing these chain links in 2019 deriving inspiration from how chains have been depicted in American Tradtional tattooing since the 1800s. 

These links are individually cast, welded, and polished by hand in NYC

• Vasili V-Clip Closure 

• 100% .925 sterling silver construction

• All items available in gold upon request