QUEZON City, Philippines (January 26) — The transformation of the Miss Universe crown can be compared to how a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly.
Butterflies go through a very complicated life stage in order for it to unleash its unique beauty. Imagine, from a very small egg – less than a centimeter in size – it hatches as a caterpillar. Eventually, the caterpillar will weave its cocoon and several days more, it will showcase its remarkable colors that are truly incomparable.
This exquisite change in appearance is called “metamorphosis.”
Few days before the much awaited Miss Universe Coronation, the most beautiful women on earth have gathered in the Philippines to take the spot as the next Queen of the universe!
But did you know that the current Miss Universe crown is very different from the one at the earlier days of the pageant ?
Let’s look back in time to admire these crowning glories of beauty.
Crown #1- Armi Kuusela Crown
The first ever Miss Universe crown was given to Armi Kuusela i1952. This jewelled headpiece came from Finland – a priceless Romanoff crown and once belonged to the Russian czar. It contains 1,500 flawless diamonds, weighing 300 karats.
Crown #2- The Christiane Martel Crown
The following year, 1953, the Miss Universe Organization chose to have a bigger crown compared to the previous one. This was first and only worn by 1953 Miss Universe Christiane Martel of France. It was made with metallic bronze with a very simple design.
Crown #3- The Star of the Universe (1954-1960)
The star shines as it conquers the universe!
This crown was designed with a big star in the middle – giving it the appropriate moniker ‘the star of the universe.’ It was approximately made up of 1,000 oriental and cultured black pearls, solid gold and platinum frame with a weight of 1.25 pounds. This was used by Miss Universe winners from 1954-1960. The winner only wore it twice during her reign as the Miss Universe– The coronation night and their successor’s coronation. When the crown was worn, the titleholder was escorted by a group of security guards to secure it.
Crown #4- The 1961-1962 Crown
In 1961, the Miss Universe Organization once again decided to change the style and design of the Miss Universe crown. It is at this time when they first introduced one made of rhinestones, with a very exquisite design. It was only worn by Marlene Schmidt of Germany, Miss Universe 1961 and Norma Nolan, Miss Universe 1962 of Argentina.
Crown #5- The Famous “MISS” Crown, “THE LADY” or “THE QUEEN” Crown (1963-2001)
Perhaps the most famous and most recognizable crown of the Miss Universe pageant was the one called the “MISS” crown. Its centerpiece is a crowned lady, holding a scepter.
The original design of the “Miss” came in 1963. Also made with rhinestones, it was designed with the symbol of the Miss Universe Organization on top – that of a woman standing while holding a scepter – which has become a part of the Miss Universe legend. The rest of the crown resembled the previous one.
The crown was used until 1969 and had never been given to the winner. In 1970 the organization designed a new crown with a slightly different design – while it still features the logo of Miss Universe Organization in the center, the crown now sports extended wings – that was very similar to the previous one. It was Ieda Maria Vargas, Miss Universe 1963 of Brazil who had the honor of being the first Miss Universe to wear this crown.
The classic Miss Universe crown was designed and made by one of America’s most renowned jewelry maker, Sarah Coventry.
The design has become the symbol of the Miss Universe for almost 30 years. The crown is adjustable and was actually given to the winner and 28 Miss Universe titleholders from 1974-2001 have worn them.
Miss Universe 1974 Amparo Munoz of Spain was the first titleholder to wear this crown.
In the late 1980’s, the crowns were made by International Gem and Jewelry Show, Inc. This exquisite and exotic design, plus the beauty of the rhinestones have become a much-beloved item among pageant fanatics around the world.
Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quinones of Puerto Rico was the last winner who received this crown. (source: WorldCup Beauty)
Crown #6- The Mikimoto Miss Universe Crown and Tiara (2002-2007)
The Miss Universe crown used from 2002–2007 was designed by Mikimoto, the official jewelry sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization and depicted the phoenix rising, signifying status, power, and beauty.
The crown has 500 diamonds of almost 30 karats (6.0 g), 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3 to 18 mm diameter and is valued at $250,000.
The Crown was designed specifically for the pageant on Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan with the Mikimoto crown and tiara being first used for Miss Universe 2002. The crown comes with a tiara which will be given to the winner after her reign. (WorldCup Beauty)
Crown # 7: The Dayana Mendoza Crown or “The Vietnamese Miss Universe Crown”
For Miss Universe 2008 a new crown was unveiled.
The 18k white and yellow gold crown was designed by CAO Fine Jewelry specifically for the event.
With over 1,000 precious stones, including 44 karats (8.8 g) of diamonds, the crown has a value of US $120,000. The design of the crown is highly symbolic. Vietnam is symbolized in the yellow gold, representative of the country’s healthy economy, and in the crane, with represents the spirit and culture of Vietnam. Other colors stand for inspiration and feeling, while the depicted heart is meant to reflect faith, hope, and unity. The curving patterns of the stones are a tribute to every country, reflecting growth. The crown was only awarded as part of the contest in 2008 (source: Worldcup Beauty).
Crown # 8: The Diamond Nexus Lab Crown, or the “Peace Crown”
Miss Universe 2009, Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela, was the first to wear the newly designed Peace Crown at the 2009 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant held in the Bahamas.
In 2009, Diamond Nexus Labs made the Miss Universe crown. The crown is set with 1,371 gemstones, weighing a total of 416.09 karats (83.22 g). It contains 544.31 grams of 14k and 18k white gold as well as platinum.
But before the actual “Peace Crown” was conceived, the Miss Universe Organization, with its official jeweler, Diamond Nexus Lab, had its online voting system in 2009 for Miss Universe fans all over the globe. They were given three options which were: The “Unity” Crown, The “Hope” Crown and the “Peace” crown (source: Worldcup Beauty).
Crown #9- The Manhattan Skyline Crown
This crown is currently held by Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach. The stylish design of the crown is similar to Manhattan skyline in New York City – the current hometown of the Miss Universe Organization.
The crown is made up of 311 pieces of diamonds, five pieces of blue topaz, 198 pieces of blue sapphire, 33 pieces of crystal, and gold.
Its worth is around $300,000, produced by renowned Czech Republic company Diamonds International Corporation.
From 1954 to present, the titleholder returns the original crown after the coronation night and is only allowed to use the crown replica.
Metamorphosis is not just about the butterflies. Crowns evolve too as time goes by! Transformation is something delicate but we all need to understand that this is a necessary part of everyone’s life for self-betterment. Just like what Sarah Ockler said in her book ‘Twenty Boy Summer,’ Nothing ever really goes away– it just changes into something else.
Something beautiful and magnificent!
Crown photos are courtesy of listas.20minutos.es
(written and researched by Jodi Bustos, edited by Jay Paul Carlos)