Behold the Philippine-made pearl-encrusted Miss Universe 2024 crown

‘Lumière de l’Infini’ crown/PHOTO PROVIDED BY JEWELMER

For the first time in Miss Universe history, the crown that will be used in the pageant is made in the Philippines, the “Lumière de l’Infini” (Light of Infinity) created by Filipino craftsmen using rare south sea pearls harvested off the coasts of Palawan.

The new crown was unveiled in an event held on Nov. 13 (Nov. 14 in Manila) in Mexico City, Mexico, where the 2024 Miss Universe pageant is taking place. Model and tourism management graduate Chelsea Manalo is representing the Philippines, hoping to become the fifth Filipino woman to be crowned Miss Universe.

The new pageant headpiece is made by Jewelmer, the Philippine-based international luxury jewelry company which also provided the “La Mer en Majeste” (Sea of Majesty) crown used in the Miss Universe Philippines pageant since 2022.

READ: Group decries ‘exploitation’ in mining ‘blood pearls’ for Miss Universe crown

This will be the 13th crown used in the Miss Universe pageant, the most for any major international pageant. The rival Miss World competition’s current crown was introduced more than half a century ago in 1972.

Jewelmer uses cultured south sea pearls, whose golden hue is the rarest in the world. The unique pearl farming process takes four to five years, with 377 steps used to sustainably produce a pearl.

With Lumière de l’Infini for Miss Universe, three of the four major international pageants’ current crowns are now made in Southeast Asia. The ones for the Miss International and Miss Earth competitions were made in Vietnam, and also adorned with pearls.

The four Miss Universe winners from the Philippines had different crowns when they received their titles. Gloria Diaz wore the “Sarah Coventry” crown when she won in 1969.

Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz of the Philippines with her Sarah Coventry crown. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe

When she won in 1973, Margie Moran became the first winner to use the “Chandelier” crown, one of the most popular ones that adorned the heads of Miss Universe winners for almost three decades.

Pia Wurtzbach became Miss Universe in 2015, and had the DIC crown whose design was inspired by the New York City skyline, while Catriona Gray had the Mikimoto crown when she won in 2018.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach with her Diamond International Corporation (DIC) crown. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe

Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray wore the Mikimoto crown at her coronation. Described by the MUO as a “phoenix rising,” the headpiece boasts of 500 diamonds of almost 30 carats and 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls in different sizes, and is one of the most iconic Miss Universe crowns.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and her Mikimoto crown. Image: Facebook/Miss Universe

Who will earn the distinction of wearing the first-ever Philippine-made Miss Universe crown? Find out on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila).

The 2024 Miss Universe coronation night will be held at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, with more than 120 ladies from around the world are vying for the title currently held by Nicraguan queen Sheynnis Palacios.