A Filipino crown for a Danish queen
Victoria Kjӕr Theilvig made history as the first Danish woman to win the Miss Universe title, but the Philippines also posted a milestone in the 2024 pageant with the first Filipino-crafted crown used to proclaim the winner.
As the blonde bombshell inherited the Miss Universe title from her predecessor, Latin siren Sheynnis Palacios, she also received the “Lumiere de l’Infini” (Light of Infinity) crown provided by Filipino luxury jewelry brand Jewelmer.
The stunning piece, decked in luscious South Sea pearls and diamonds, debuted in the international pageant’s 73rd edition, which culminated in a grand coronation show with a record haul of 125 delegates at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico, on Nov. 16 (Nov. 17 in Manila).
“The very essence of Jewelmer’s inspiration for the Lumiere de l’Infini crown is derived from our belief that as long as there is a pearl, there is life—and the South Sea pearl plays a central role in this design. This handcrafted crown was inspired by the four elements that give life to our planet: land, air, water, and fire,” Jewelmer CEO Jacques Christophe Branellec told Lifestyle in an online interview.
To adorn the 18-karat gold crown base, diamonds and 23 golden South Sea Pearls in matching hue and luster were used, the pearls grown and harvested from the company’s pearl farm in Palawan. The process to grow a pearl takes 377 steps in a span of five years, and only the top 2 percent of the haul makes it to Jewelmer collections, signifying the company’s commitment to excellence.
“Light and fire emanate from the sun, as depicted by the diamond-adorned rays. Tendrils of rich gold symbolize the sea foam meeting the shores and the wind blowing on the waves. Golden South Sea pearls represent the sphere of the earth, extending beauty from the ocean, to the universe and its infinite beyond,” Branellec said.
13th crown
He said it was the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) that first approached Jewelmer to create the pageant’s crown. “The partnership was years in the making. And with divine timing, Jewelmer was pleased to showcase the pride of our nation, the South Sea pearl, on the Miss Universe crown this year,” he said.
This is the 13th crown used in the Miss Universe pageant, an international competition born in the United States in 1952 and is now equally co-owned by Thai conglomerate JKN Global Group and Mexican entity Legacy Holding Group.
Branellec said MUO wanted the crown to become a beacon of light and hope, and both agreed on reflecting universal themes of empowerment, strength, beauty, femininity, and community in the piece.
“From the design to the selection of the pearls, every step was taken with great intention. [MUO] entrusted Jewelmer to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece befitting the queen of the universe,” he said.
“As the first Filipino-crafted crown in [MUO’s] renowned history, Jewelmer is honored to shine the light on the Philippines’ beauty and artistry to international audiences. The crown carries with it the extraordinary spirit of everyone who took part in its creation,” added Branellec, citing the company’s pearl farmers and master craftsmen.
“Through the Miss Universe crown, Jewelmer is sharing the best of the Philippines to the world through the South Sea pearl. With the queen of the universe adorned in Philippine South Sea pearls, it is Jewelmer’s hope that our national gem’s legacy will keep flourishing and strengthening, for future generations to admire and appreciate,” he continued.
When asked how much the crown is worth, Branellec said, “this one-of-a-kind masterpiece is priceless.”
He added: “The crown is more than just a piece of jewelry, it embodies the pride of a nation. Designing this year’s crown has been an honor. And Jewelmer hopes that the brilliance of the golden South Sea pearl resonates throughout the universe.”
MUO consultant Osmel Sousa, the man responsible for Venezuela’s rise as an international pageant powerhouse, described the crown as “the most beautiful in Miss Universe history.” In response, Branellec said Jewelmer was “deeply appreciative” of the Venezuelan guru’s kind words.
