WHAT DOES THE MISS OCEAN CROWN STAND FOR? - A crown is often an emblem of the monarchy, a monarch's government, or items endorsed by it. The word itself is used, particularly in Commonwealth countries, as an abstract name for the monarchy itself, as distinct from the individual who inhabits it (The Crown). A specific type of crown (or coronet for lower ranks of peerage) is employed in heraldry under strict rules.

A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear representing power, legitimacy, victory, triumph, honor, and glory. A crown can also signify immortality, righteousness, and resurrection. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to those on Earth by angels. Apart from the traditional form, crowns also may be in the form of a wreath and be made of flowers, oak leaves or even thorns. Crowns worn by rulers often contain jewels of such high value that they are priceless - beyond price- an interesting concept.

On this page we include a brief history of some of the most famous (and expensive) crowns in the world. We consider these to be some of the most beautifully crafted, even though somewhat lavish, and sometimes completely impractical. There is a tendency for jewelers to load up a crown with gemstones and pearls, sometimes detracting from the pure art form and originality.

MISS EARTH NOV 2013 - Organizers of the Miss Earth beauty pageant presented three new crowns for the runners-up in this year’s event. International jewelry designer Ramona Haar, official jeweler of the pageant, showed the new crowns for Miss Earth Air, Miss Earth Water and Miss Earth Fire at a press conference in November 2013.

Each crown is valued at $20,000 or roughly P1 million, she said, and is handcrafted 100 percent from recycled sterling silver. The braided silver wire is used to form recurring spiral motifs and decorative patterns, and the crowns are decorated with topaz, rhodolites, zirconias and citrine. The new elemental crowns will be seen during the worldwide telecast of the 2013 Miss Earth beauty contest in Muntinlupa City on December the 7th.

Five years ago, the ecologically-minded Haar also designed a new crown for Miss Earth. The gems for the new crown include black diamonds, sardonyx, calcite, ruby, jade, quartz crystal, garnet, peridot, and pearls, which she gathered from some 80 stones given by the participating countries in the environment-driven pageant. Valued at US$150,000 or almost P7 million, the winner’s crown is made of 100 percent recycled 14K gold and argentums sterling silver. The central design is a flower to symbolize a happy and thriving Earth.

THE BRITISH IMPERIAL STATE CROWN JEWELS

By far the most famous crown in the world, certainly the most highly guarded, it has 5 rubies, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds. With this the crown is also adorned with 273 pearls and about 2,868 diamonds. The centrepiece to the headgear is the 105 carat Koh-i-Noor which originated in India, was acquired by the East India Company and became part of the British crown jewels when Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1887. The crown can be found, along with the rest of the British Crown Jewels in the heavily fortified Tower of London.

THE CROWN OF BAVARIA

Commissioned by the first King of Bavaria, King Maximillian I. The famed dark blue Der Blue Wittessbatcher or the Wittelsbach Diamond at its centre has since been sold, and a glass replica sits in its place. However, the historical gem had been stolen sold several times before it was eventually recovered, then sold again. Twice. However the crown is still adorned with many pearls, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds and conservative estimates of its value place it at $17 million. Of course because of its historical significance it is of course priceless.

IMPERIAL CROWN OF RUSSIA

The Imperial Crown of Russia was first used in the coronation of Catherine II, Catherine The Great, in 1762 by court jeweller Ekart and Jeremia Pauzie it displays exquisite workmanship. It is inlaid with seven historic diamonds from the Russian Diamond Collection. After the October Revolution the crown jewels were used as collateral in a $25,000 loan from the newly formed Irish Republic. The crown was lost in Ireland until 1948 and when discovered and duly returned to Moscow in 1950.

QUEEN MARY'S GIRLS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND TIARA

In 1893, this tiara was given to Princess Victoria Mary of Teck on the occasion of her marriage to the Duke of York, the future King George. Funds were privately raised and it was given by the “girls of Great Britain and Ireland” as a gift to the future Queen Mary. (hence the name of the tiara!)

The tiara is circular in form with diamonds pave set in silver and gold. Originally the tiara had 14 large oriental pearls at each top; in 1914 Queen Mary adapted the tiara to use 13 large diamonds instead of the pearls for a slight change. The tiara can also be worn as a necklace. Queen Elizabeth wears this tiara often can be is seen wearing it in the images on the paper currency and coins of Great Britain.

GEORGE IV STATE DIADEM

The George IV State Diadem was made in 1820 for the coronation of King George IV. The diadem includes 1333 diamonds, including a four-carat yellow diamond and 169 pearls, the circular frame alternates between crosses and a floral design which incorporate roses, thistles and shamrocks which are the symbols of England, Scotland and Ireland.

The diadem was later worn by Queen Adelaide, the consort of King William IV. Queen Victoria inherited it in 1837 and she wore it at her coronation during the recessional from Westminster Abbey. Upon her death in 1901 the diadem was passed to a secession of Queen consorts; Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. The diadem was worn by Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation on the procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey and it is now part of the Queen’s Personal Jewel Collection. The diadem is one of the most easily recognizable items of the collection since it is worn by Queen Elizabeth in the image on the postage stamps, coins and currency of England; it is also worn in the annual procession from Buckingham Palace to the State Opening of Parliament.

KATE'S TIARA - Nothing signals a royal wedding like a tiara, and if a future queen cannot wear one on her wedding day, who can? Kate looked regal in the Cartier 'Halo' Tiara lent to her by the Queen.

The 'Halo' Tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and purchased by HRH The Duke of York (later King George VI) for his wife HRH The Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth). The tiara is formed as a band of 16 graduated scrolls set with 739 brilliants and 149 baton diamonds. The Duchess of York only wore it once publicly before becoming Queen Consort and moving on to larger and more opulent pieces.

The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now HM The Queen) by her mother on her 18th birthday, however she has never worn it publicly and like her mother, is said not to have been terribly fond of it. The tiara has been loaned out on many occasions to Princess Margaret and Princess Anne over the years, before their own collections grew.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR - The Mike Todd Diamond Tiara An Antique Diamond Tiara, circa 1880 Gift from Mike Todd, 1957 Estimate: $60,000-80,000 As noted in her 2002 book My Love Affair With Jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor's husband Mike Todd presented her with this antique diamond tiara, saying, "You are my queen." She wore it to the Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 1957, where Todd's film Around the World in 80 Days won for Best Picture. 

BEAUTY PAGEANT CROWNS OF MERIT: The above is a selection of crowns from various beauty pageants around the world, including: Miss Universe, Miss Vietnam, Miss India, Miss America and Miss Slovakia. Crowns are sometimes sold or loaned to other contests as new designs are commissioned.