Sandra Riper, owner of Sunset Hill Jewelers and Fine Arts Gallery in West Chester, describes herself as a hometown girl. She grew up in the borough and in the antique jewelry business.

Riper, her mother and her stepfather were in the antiques business. “I sold my first piece when I was 12,” says Riper, noting it was a cameo. But when she was in her early 20s, she grew tired of the travel that went with the antique show business and with the help of her parents, opened the store. In addition to her many years of work in the business, Riper also has a degree in gemology from the Gemological Institute of America.

The business, that she now owns with her husband, Joseph, celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.
Riper believes in giving back to the community. She helped develop the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, is past president of the West Chester Chamber of Commerce, and District and the Main Street committee. “I’m all about community.”

She believes that the store ties in with Chester County’s heritage. “When we designed the store, we wanted it to look like it had been here for 100 years,” both inside and out.

On the first floor of the three-story building across High Street from the historic county courthouse, Riper sells jewelry – new and antique. “I’m more about the unique, one-of-a-kind piece, no matter what the price range,” she said. “This is a college town. We try to have something for everyone.”

However, she enjoys antique jewelry. “I love keeping history intact. When a piece tells a story, it’s more fun,” she said, adding that “this is a store where gifts become heirlooms.”

The service-oriented Riper adds, “I try to find out how it is we can help. We like making people happy. We happily repair, restore and redesign jewelry that people have inherited or have had for many years.”