How We Got Here: Sisterhood Sustains Alder Fine Jewellery

By Karen Dybis | December 24, 2025

Alder Fine Jewellery was constructed out of its founders’ lifelong connection as sisters, their entrepreneurial family spirit, and the balance Mikela and Shani Alder say exists between them as business owners.

The idea behind Alder started when the two worked in the family construction company, Alder Group in Gold Coast, Australia. Mikela rose in the ranks over more than seven years to become the chief financial officer; Shani served as development officer, as well as running its social media side.

The sisters began working on Alder as a jewelry brand at the end of 2021, and they officially debuted it in September 2022. Their online store grew enough that they opened their flagship boutique in June 2023. Build it, as they say, and the customers will come.

Unsurprisingly, both Alder sisters are involved in every aspect of the business, from sourcing gemstones to building vendor relationships to designing each piece like it’s one of their construction projects.

Alder ring — *Alder Velora ring with 2.86 ct. pink tourmaline in 18k yellow gold, $10,644*

“We’re both drawn to clean lines, architectural balance, and a really meticulous attention to detail,” Mikela says. “We haven’t taken on any investment to date; we’ve completely bootstrapped this business. I’m incredibly proud of that. It means every decision is ours, every direction is intentional, and the brand is being built exactly the way we envisioned it.”

The sisters grew up on the Gold Coast, and their business-minded father encouraged them to dream boldly, work hard, and create something of their own, Shani says. She is the youngest sister of three and went from high school directly into the workforce and then the family business.

Mikela is the middle sister, and she remembers a childhood playing outdoors with their oldest sibling, Talia; taking dance classes; and enjoying the nearby ocean. In fact, her first jewelry memory is of her mother’s aquamarine gemstone pieces, which reminded Mikela of their coastal upbringing.

In 2018, Mikela graduated from university, where she majored in business and accounting. She immediately joined Alder Group, working as an accountant in all areas of the business. She says she learned discipline, leadership, the balance of numbers, and the people side of running a company.

Alder sapphire — Sapphire Blue Lunar pendant necklace with 4.57 ct. cushion-cut Ceylon blue sapphire in 18k yellow gold, $12,773; and Sapphire Blue Lunar Floating ring with 4.1 ct. cushion-cut blue sapphire in 18k yellow gold, $10,644

Both Shani and Mikela say they were interested in jewelry as a possible career, having grown up with a mother and grandmother who saw jewelry as a way to preserve memories and tell stories of key life moments.

“To many people it probably seemed like a big jump, going from construction and finance into jewelry, but for me it made perfect sense,” Mikela says. “Jewelry has always been in my life, and during university I actually thought I would end up in fashion. My creative side was craving an outlet.”

The sisters say their different interests in Alder Fine Jewelry create a harmonious balance. Shani is the creative visionary, and Mikela supports and shapes that direction with a brand-minded perspective. Mikela also is the engine behind the operations, making sure the business runs, managing cash flow, planning next steps, and keeping them on track with their goals.

Shani says choosing the name Alder felt instinctive. With three daughters, the family name wouldn’t traditionally carry on, so giving the name to their the brand became their way of preserving that legacy.

“It honors our parents, our upbringing, and the entrepreneurial spirit we were raised with. It also reflects the timeless quality of our brand—refined, enduring, and built with intention,” Shani says.

Mikela agrees. “At its core, Alder Fine Jewellery is about connection: to family, to legacy, to personal milestones, to artistry. It’s a brand born from love, shaped by heritage, and guided by the belief that jewelry is the most beautiful way to carry meaning across generations.”

Top: Sisters Mikela and Shani Alder decided to work together and created a fine jewelry brand as their sisterly legacy. (Photos courtesy of Alder Fine Jewelry)