Culture & Style
Everything You Need to Know About the Miss Universe Diamond Crowns
By Jane Asher, Updated June 12, 2025
This year features yet another gorgeous natural diamond crown by Jewelmer.
Miss Universe 2024, Victoria Kjær Theilvig at The 73rd Miss Universe Competition in Mexico City, Mexico. (Getty Images)
Since its first-ever pageant in 1952, the Miss Universe competition has bestowed its winners with a stunning crown made of some of the world’s most precious materials, including natural diamonds. From crowns specially made for the international pageant to royal headpieces given to the organization, they have always been show-stoppers.
Below, you’ll find a glimpse of some of our favorite crowns in the pageant’s history and some fun facts about the diamond pieces.
Meet the Author
- Jane Asher is a social media manager with a passion for pop culture.
- She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Washington University in St. Louis.
- As a journalist, her work has been featured in publications such as InStyle Magazine, Stylecaster, Martha Stewart Weddings and more.
The History of Miss Universe Crowns
Throughout the pageant’s 70+ year history, 10 crowns have been made or passed onto the pageant and crowned upon the head of the winner. Some of the early crowns were made with pearls and rhinestones, but the more recent crowns, including this year’s Mouawad stunner, the Force for Good Crown, have been covered in natural diamonds.
“The Force for Good crown is a work of extraordinary craftsmanship,” said Fred Mouawad at the Force For Good Crown’s initial unveiling in December 2022. “It’s a crown filled with symbolism. And we hope it will inspire not only the winners, but all of you to be a force for good.” He added that the crown represents “a future forged by women who push the limits of what’s possible”. This year’s pageant, the organization’s 72nd, will be bestowing the Force For Good Crown on the winner in the same tradition as the year below.
Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown: The Original Miss Universe Crown
The first crown to ever be handed out was the Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown and was believed to be made with 1,535 flawless diamonds. As you can tell from the name, it was once owned by a Russian tzar and it was only used for 1 year. Its brief appearance added an air of imperial grandeur to the inaugural Miss Universe pageant.
Mikimoto Crown: A Diamond and Pearl Masterpiece
The next crown to feature natural diamonds didn’t come onto the scene until 2002, with the Mikimoto crown, the then-official jewelry sponsor of the Miss Universe organization.
The crown has 500 diamonds weighing almost 30 carats, 120 South Sea and Akoya pearls, ranging in size from 3 to 18 mm in diameter, and is valued at $250,000. Its elegant, wave-like design was inspired by the phoenix, symbolizing rebirth, strength, and beauty.
CAO Fine Jewelry Crown: A Tribute to Vietnam
In 2008, a new crown was unveiled by CAO Fine Jewelry of Vietnam, featuring over 1,000 precious stones, including 44 carats of diamonds.
Though it was only used for one year, the crown’s design was rich with symbolism tied to Vietnamese heritage: yellow gold reflected the nation’s thriving economy, while the crane embodied its spirit and cultural identity. Additional colors represented inspiration and emotion, and a central heart motif symbolized faith, hope, and unity.
DIC Crown: A Structural and Symbolic Icon
The next natural diamond crown used in the international pageant was the DIC crown, which stands for Diamond International Corporation, and is one of the most recognizable Miss Universe crown to date.
The crown was inspired by the New York City skyline—specifically Manhattan—and features five large topaz stones, 198 sapphires, 311 diamonds, and 33 translucent Bohemian crystals. Valued at $300,000, it was designed not only for beauty but also for function.
After repeated issues with previous crowns slipping or requiring frequent maintenance, the Miss Universe Organization prioritized stability, ensuring the DIC crown would remain securely in place on the winner’s head.
Mouawad Power of Unity Crown: Record-Breaking Carat Weight
Although it is the smallest crown in terms of physical size, the Mouawad crown, nicknamed the Power of Unity Crown, is the largest in terms of diamond carat weight, with just the center stone weighing 62.83 carats.
The Mouawad crown is made with 18-karat gold and hand-set with 1,725 white diamonds and 3 golden canary diamonds. The gems are set in intricate patterns of petals, leaves, and vines, representing communities across the seven continents whose bonds unite them in the same purpose of empowering one another.
Mouawad Force for Good Crown: The Crown of Transformation
The Force for Good crown is valued at over $5 million and features 110 carats of blue sapphires alongside 48 carats of white diamonds. “Force for Good means turning pain into power and making a bright future by transforming obstacles into your own wisdom,” said Miss Universe Organization owner Anne Jakrajutatip. At the base of the crown, wave-like curls emulate a serpent’s head, which Mouawad explained symbolizes the challenges of overcoming opposition. In 2023, Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel passed on the Force for Good crown to this year’s winner.
In November 2024, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua was officially crowned Miss Universe with this extraordinary piece.
Lumiere De L’Infini: The 2024 Miss Universe Crown by Jewelmer
Designed by Philippine-based jeweler Jewelmer, the 2024 Miss Universe crown incorporates symbolic elements that honor both the organization’s rich legacy and the jeweler’s cultural roots. Crafted entirely by hand using traditional techniques, it showcases a rare golden pearl—the national gem of the Philippines—at its center, along with 22 additional golden pearls and an array of natural diamonds. This extraordinary crown was presented to Miss Denmark, Victoria Kjær Theilvig, the newly crowned Miss Universe 2024.
