“She has a crown in her head, and it all shines like a diamond in the sea” –Petra Hermans
A brand new chapter in Miss Universe history is finally written for the Philippines. In addition to the country’s four-time victory, this year marks the debut of the first-ever Filipino-made Miss Universe crown.
Jewelmer, a Filipino jewelry brand, crafted the crown for the Miss Universe 2024, which took an extensive five years and 377 steps to complete. The Lumiere de I’Infini Crown, also known as the “Light of Infinity Crown”, is described as a “pinnacle of savoir-faire”, a term meaning the utmost skill and craftsmanship.
This crown replaces the previous “Force for Good” crown introduced in 2022 by Mouawad, a well-known jewelry and luxury watch brand. It had 110 carats of blue sapphires and 48 carats of diamonds, adding up to a total of 158 carats.
SYMBOLISM & CRAFTSMANSHIP
Jewelmer highlighted that creating the crown involved a large team, including artisans and pearl farmers. This emphasis on collaboration underlines the brand’s pride in Filipino craftsmanship and the traditional knowledge that went into its creation.
The crown’s design combines local materials and craftsmanship, using South Sea pearls and diamonds to create a look that mirrors ocean waves. At the center, a single golden pearl symbolizes the sun, with diamond rays around it to represent light. This centerpiece, the crown’s most striking feature, embodies the beauty and uniqueness of the Philippines’ natural resources.
FILIPINO PRIDE
For the Philippines, this achievement is a source of national pride. Not only does it celebrate Filipino skill in high jewelry design, but it also elevates the country’s jewelry industry on an international platform. Jacques Christophe Branellec, the founder of Jewelmer, expresses that this moment honors Filipino culture and the South Sea Pearl itself, which Jewelmer has championed since its founding in 1979.
For Chelsea Manalo, the Philippines’ Miss Universe 2024 representative, there is added significance as she competes not only for the Miss Universe title, but also to bring home a crown made by Filipino hands, symbolizing both her heritage and national pride.
The crown’s debut is making waves, and the Philippines is already shining brighter than ever. Can’t wait to see which Miss Universe representative gets to wear it next—though, let’s be honest, we’re all secretly hoping it’s the Philippines.
