Jewels of the Universe: The Elegant History of Miss Universe Crowns

Jewels of the Universe: The Elegant History of Miss Universe Crowns

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Explore the regal history of Miss Universe crowns worn by queens, celebrating the enduring elegance, diversity, and empowerment these jewels bring to the global stage

Miss Universe is where grace, beauty, and regality converge. Dresses shine and sway, women stand in support of their advocacies, and nations rise for their queens. In the end, a majestic touchstone graces the top of the worthy: the crown. The crowns worn by queens in the event throughout the years beget opulence and sophistication. Each crown is not just a symbol of victory, but also a unique work of art, reflecting the era it graced and the queen it adorned. These are the crowns throughout Miss Universe history.

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The Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown (1952)

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First Miss Universe winner Armi Kuusela of Finland wears the crown once owned by Russia royalty; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Worn only by the first Miss Universe, Finland’s Armi Kuusela, this orb-shaped crown boasts 1,535 old mine-cut diamonds and has a regal history, once adorning the empress of Russia.

The Christiane Martel Crown (1953)

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Miss Universe 1953 Christiane Martel of France wins with the crown named after her; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Named after the French beauty queen, this metallic bronze crown, crafted by silversmith Allan Adler, features a scorpion-like tail, a dangling star, and gold pearls symbolizing the planets. In a state of intricate designs and dazzling crystals, this metallic bronze sculpture stands out with its solid structure and deliberate lack of embellishments.

Star of the Universe Crown (1954 to 1960)

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Miss Universe 1956 Carol Morris of USA wears the Star of the Universe crown; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Crafted specifically for Miss Universe, this USD 500,000 crown adorned with Oriental cultured and black pearls while set in gold and platinum shines with a central star, marking the queens from 1954 to 1960. 

The Lady Rhinestone Crown (1961 to 1962)

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The Lady Rhinestone crown is worn by Miss Universe 1962 Norma Nolan of Argentina; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Adorned entirely with rhinestones, this special crown commemorates the pageant’s 10-year run. Worn by Germany’s Marlene Schmidt and Argentina’s Norma Nolan, it sparkled its way into history.

The Sarah Coventry (1963 to 1972) and Chandelier Crown (1973 to 2001)

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First Miss Universe winner from the Philippines, Gloria Diaz, wears the Sarah Coventry crown in 1969; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Designed by Sarah Coventry, this iconic crown featuring a female figure holding a scepter held its place for 33 years. It graced the head of Gloria Diaz, our first Miss Universe queen, in 1969.

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Second Filipino Miss Universe Margarita Moran wears the Chandelier crown; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

It was later slightly altered and renamed the Chandelier Crown, worn by our second Miss Universe in 1973, Margarita Moran.

The Mikimoto Crown (2002 to 2007, 2017 to 2018)

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Fourth Filipino Miss Universe Catriona Gray wears the Mikimoto Crown during her coronation in 2018; Photo: CATRIONA GRAY (via Instagram)

Sponsored by Mikimoto Pearl, this crown boasts 500 diamonds of almost 30 carats and 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls. It also resembles seven feathers that signify power, beauty, and elegance. The design, reminiscent of the Fenghuang Phoenix, a mythical symbol of power and rebirth in Chinese folklore, imbues the wearer with a sense of grace, beauty, and resilience. It was also briefly brought back for 2017 and 2018 when it was finally worn by Catriona Gray.

CAO Fine Jewelry Crown (2008)

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Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela is the sole wearer of the CAO Fine Jewelry Crown; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Crafted in Vietnam where the pageant was held, it was made with 555 white diamonds, 375 cognac diamonds, 10 smoky quartz crystals, and 19 morganite gemstones. The CAO Fine Jewelry Crown found its moment of glory atop the head of Dayana Mendoza, marking her as the sole wearer. The design is a celebration of subtlety, with hues carefully chosen to represent not just beauty, but also inspiration and feeling.

The Peace Crown (2009 to 2013)

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Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez wears the Peace Crown first, in a back-to-back win of Venezuela; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Embedded with 1,371 synthetic gemstones and striking rubies representing HIV/AIDS awareness, the Peace Crown by Diamond Nexus Labs is both eco-friendly and socially conscious.

The DIC Crown (2014 to 2016)

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The Philippines’ own Pia Wurtzbach wears the DIC crown in 2015; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Inspired by the New York cityscape, the DIC, or the Diamond International Corporation, crown is one of the most recognizable Miss Universe crowns to date. The crown features topaz stones, sapphires, diamonds, and Bohemian crystals, creating a dazzling spectacle valued at USD 300,000. Pia Wurtzbach became the second titleholder to wear this crown. 

Power of Unity Crown (2019 to 2021)

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Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi of South Africa wears the Power of Unity Crown; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Crafted with 1,725 white diamonds and three golden canary diamonds, the Power of Unity Crown is the smallest bespoke headpiece in Miss Universe history, symbolizing harmony through the combination of petals, leaves, and vines.

Force for Good Crown (2022)

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Filipino-American Miss Universe 2022 R’bonney Gabriel of USA is the first to wear the Force for Good Crown; Photo: MISS UNIVERSE

Under the new leadership of Thailand’s JKN Global Group, this headdress is adorned with a royal blue sapphire, symbolizing goodness and hope. Along with blue sapphires and white diamonds, it reflects the call for positive change across time.

These crowns encapsulate the spirit of their eras and the triumphs of the extraordinary women who wore them. As we await the unveiling of future crowns and the queens who will carry their legacy, this is a witness to the elegance, diversity, and beauty that these jewels of the universe bring to the forefront. Each crown, a radiant gem in the pantheon of beauty, serves as a reminder that beyond the sparkle lies a record of empowerment, inspiration, and the unyielding strength of the women who reign as Miss Universe.

Featured Image: CATRIONA GRAY (via Instagram)

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