LOOK: All 12 of the Miss Universe crowns, including the new 'Force for Good' crown
As a new Miss Universe queen is set to be crowned on Jan. 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the organization recently unveiled its new Mouawad crown named "Force for Good," which they highlighted is the "new emblem of beautifully confident."
JKN Global Group, the Thailand multinational comglomerate that owns Miss Universe, commemorated the unveiling of the new design with images of all the 11 cosmic crowns that have been worn by past queens since the pageant's inception in 1952. Take a look them:
The Romanov Imperial nuptial crown
There was only one queen who wore the Romanov Imperial nuptial crown, which is believed to be made with approximately 1,535 old mine cut diamonds, and that is Finland's Armi Kuusela, the first titleholder of Miss Universe. Prior to this, the orb-shaped crown is said to have been worn by the empress of Russia.
The Christiane Martel crown
Named after the second beauty queen from France to receive the title of Miss Universe, the metallic bronze crown stands out from the rest as it lacks any crystals or rhinestones, which have been a staple feature in other crowns. Rather, its enigmatic look created by silversmith Allan Adler features a scorpion-like tail at the back with a dangling star at its tip, and has gold pearls surrounding it representing a depiction of the planets.
Star of the Universe crown
The first crown to be crafted specifically for the Miss Universe pageant, the Star of the Universe is comprised of approximately 1,000 Oriental cultured and black pearls set in gold and platinum, capped off by a bright and shining star in the middle that gave it its name. Valued at $500,000 (P27 million), the 1.25-pound crown was worn by winning queens from 1954 to 1960.
The Lady Rhinestone crown
True to its name, the crown is completely adorned with rhinestones to signify the pageant's 10-year run. The special crown, which has a large sparkling star in the middle, was unveiled in 1961, but only two queens got to stun in it: Germany's Marlene Schmidt and Argentina's Norma Nolan.
The Sarah Coventry crown
The crown of all crowns. This iconic emblem was used to mark winning queens for an astonishing 33 years, making it the longest-serving crown in Miss Universe history. Designed by prominent jewelry maker Sarah Coventry, the design's most distinguishable feature is that of a female figure holding a scepter at the center. With its long run, the Philippines' first Miss Universe queen, Gloria Diaz, even had the chance of wearing it.
It was later altered to be made adjustable to fit the different head sizes of the winners and was renamed as the Chandelier crown.
The Mikimoto crown
Used from 2002 to 2007, the Mikimoto crown was created under the sponsorship of Mikimoto Pearl company as it became the pageant's official jewelry maker. Comprised of 500 diamonds of almost 30 carats and 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls that are three to 18 in mm diameter, the crown's design is fashioned to resemble sevean feathers from a Fenghuang Phoenix, a Chinese mythological bird, to signify power, beauty, and elegance. The Philippines' 2018 winner Catriona Gray flawlessly channels these attributes.
CAO Fine Jewelry crown
The CAO Fine Jewelry crown is an assortment of priceless jewels, comprised of 555 white diamonds, 375 cognac diamonds, 10 smoky quartz crystals, and 19 morganite gemstones. Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza is notable for being the only queen to wear the glittering head piece, which had been crafted in Vietnam where the 2008 pageant was held.
Peace crown
The Peace crown by Diamond Nexus Labs holds the distinction for being an eco-friendly crown as it is embedded with 1,371 gemstones that are all synthetically made. Weighing 416.09 carats, the crown dazzles with 544.31 grams of 14k and 18k white gold, and platinum, and it also had an advocacy to tell as the striking rubies at the center of the patterns aimed to represent Miss Universe's HIV/AIDS education and awareness cause.
The DIC crown
The DIC crown's design, comprised of five large topaz stones, 198 sapphires, 311 diamonds, and 33 translucent bohemian crystals, is said to have been inspired from the skyline of Manhattan in New York City to pay homage to the home of the Miss Universe organization. Estimated to have price of $300,000 (P16 million), the crown is a symbol of the "beauty, stability, confidence, and power of women around the world," a perfect fit for the 2015 winner Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines.
Power of Unity crown
Mouawad Jewelry Power of Unity crown is said to be a "unique, bespoke work of extraordinary craftsmanship that carries with it a powerful message to the world." It is made of 1,725 white diamonds and three golden canary diamonds "set in harmonious interplays of petals, leaves and vines."
Force for Good crown
Last but not the least is the Force for Good crown, a dazzling headdress made up of 45.14-carat royal blue sapphire that symbolizes "goodness and hope for a brighter future" and 10 carats of blue sapphires and 48 carats of white diamonds" that "reflects the need for any call of change repeated across time."
Will the Philippines' Celese Cortesi be the first one to wear the Force for Good crown in the 71st Miss Universe? Only time will tell, but remember that the winner only gets to use the crown during special occasions in her reign. The winners cannot take the crowns home after their reign is finished as they are only on loan and are passed on to the next winner the following year.
