Announcement
Quick Announcement -- As of July 2022, I am primarily offering shipping to the United States and Canada. If you are an international buyer, please contact me before ordering to ensure I'm able to ship to your country. Thanks!
Superlative quality loose faceted gemstones and jewelry, crafted by hand. Alternatives Lapidary provides a variety of natural and lab created stones for engagement rings, fashion and statement jewelry, daily wear and special occasion pieces. All stones (except for diamonds or accent stones) are cut in-house.
I offer custom gemstone cutting primarily in lab created sapphire, ruby, spinel, emerald and moissanite. Some other lab grown materials may be available on request. I offer custom jewelry services as well. Send me a message to discuss your project!
Please be sure to read over my shop policies before completing your purchases, and let me know if you have any questions about my stones, jewelry or policies. I'll be happy to answer them!
Items
Featured items
All Items
Reviews
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joe on May 31, 2023
5 out of 5 starsAn extremely unique gem in terms of both cut and the actual stone itself. I had a lot of questions which the owner answered pretty quickly and in a lot of detail which helped inform my decision
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Delaney on May 26, 2023
5 out of 5 starsThis ring is so incredibly beautiful and detailed. I am SO HAPPY with how it turned out. The two-tone effect of the stone is subtle but mesmerizing; I think the pictures and description were very accurate! Phil was great to work with, very professional and supportive of all our questions and requests. I highly recommend his shop.
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Thomas on May 14, 2023
5 out of 5 starsLoved working with Phil. He knows his stuff and helped me design the perfect ring
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Josh on May 29, 2023
5 out of 5 starsAbsolutely loved working with Phil on this piece. The options we worked through could have made these earrings look completely different than what they look like here. That idea alone is what makes the store incredible. Working with Phil will lead you to exactly what you are looking for; not what already is out there. I’ll be shopping here more. Thanks, Phil.
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Ashlee on May 1, 2023
5 out of 5 starsMy dad loved this piece!! Such a cool material. He told me - this thing is "badass". "I want to put it on a necklace and wear it right now ! Wouldn't that be so cool". And I have to tell you, if your pops (who doesn't wear jewelry and is more of a wood nerd than a stone nerd) is that excited over it - then it HAS to be pretty awesome 😎. He loved the shape and the flecks of metal throughout. Really awesome material 👏 Thanks Phil for another amazing piece !
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Ashlee on Apr 30, 2023
5 out of 5 starsI can never say enough positive things about Phil, this shop or the quality of finished work ! This stone came out absolutely stunning. STUNNING. Photos are awesome but, they just don't do it the same justice as seeing it in person. I am in love with this piece. It's perfectly executed, exceptional quality and breathtaking in person. Not to mention the service you get from Phil is top notch ! Great with communication, very understanding and patient. I love working with Alternatives Lapidary and I look forward to future pieces !
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Kenny on Apr 19, 2023
5 out of 5 starsReview part 2: His workmanship is plain to see in the quality of his portfolio and the ring that he made for me is no different. Obviously, his gem cutting skills are remarkable and just amazing. The moissonite I ordered sparkles with unbelievable brilliance and fire -- it entirely delivers on what is promised in the photos. He masterfully draws out the deep greens and blues of the stone in ways that still enthrall me. The ring setting itself was an admittedly tricky process but, without Phil's professionalism and expertise, it would not have been as perfect as it is. I opted for an adaptation of one of his existing designs and I think it's a perfectly nuanced balance of a 'masculine' ring. He is a skilled jeweler in every regard. If you have the chance and are prepared for the process, I fully endorse the experience.
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Kenny on Apr 19, 2023
5 out of 5 starsReview part 1: My experience commisioning Phil was truly incredible. I started as a complete novice in the world of fine jewelry but have come away enlightened. Phil's extreme patience and transparency throughout the process has been invaluable to me as a first-time buyer. His communication of all details and decisions were very insightful and he made ample space for me to deliberate each component. He was very accommodating of questions about ring settings, gems, gold, grime and tons more things that weren't intrinsically obvious to a layman. He is very personable and never made me feel bad for asking about things I didn't know. I can't sing the praise of his customer service skills enough.
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Thomas on Apr 13, 2023
5 out of 5 starsPhil is a pro and helped me design an amazing ring for my wife. Friendly and helped me at every step of the way.
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josh on Apr 11, 2023
5 out of 5 starsPhil is very passionate about what he does and you can tell that from his work.
About AlternativesLapidary
Choosing the Extraordinary
Shop members
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Phil Lagas-Rivera
Owner, Maker, Designer
Born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, the son of two artsy people, a love of handmade things, underdogs, and doing things the hard way was instilled in him. He was pretty much doomed from the start.
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Hana B
Guest Poster
Lived all over the place, currently lives in the hottest city in the US. Loves to make things by hand. She is new to both lapidary arts and silversmithing, and is making up for it by being obsessive in both collecting and learning.
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Djinn aka Doodles
Shop Dog
Almost indistinguishable from a large ball of lint most days, DJ is a nine year old rescue toy poodle. He's more than a little neurotic, but precious. His favorite things are walks, scritches and puppy play time.
Production partners
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Best in Gems
Dublin, OH
Manufacturer of semi-mounts.
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Brilliant Earth
LA, CA
Diamond Retailer
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Custom Jeweler
Lebanon, PA
This ring was a collaboration between me and a fellow jeweler friend of mine. He loved this stone and designed this stunning unique platinum ring with it.
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Jewelry Appraiser
Raleigh, NC
Certified Jewelry Appraiser
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Lab Grown Diamond Supplier
NY, United States
Supplier of lab grown diamonds.
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Casting House
NY, United States
Precious metals casting house.
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Rio Grande
Albuquerque, NM
Jewelry Supplier
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Casting House
Raleigh, NC
Full service casting, engraving and finishing house.
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Stuller
Lafayette, LA
High quality manufacturer and supplier.
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Casting House
OR, United States
Specialty platinum casting house.
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Casting House
Waltham, MA
Does 3d printing of digital design models and lost wax casting in precious metals.
Shop policies
Accepted payment methods