CAO Fine Jewelry Will Create This Year's Coveted Miss Universe Crown

CAO Fine Jewelry Will Create This Year's Coveted Miss Universe Crown

World Renowned Vietnamese Brand PNJ to Unveil Unique Crown for the 2008 Miss Universe Competition

NEW YORK, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miss Universe Organization announced today that CAO Fine Jewelry (a line of the renowned Phu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ) company in Vietnam) has created the coveted 2008 Miss Universe crown. The winner of the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant, which will broadcast live on NBC July 13th from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Vietnam, will be crowned with the masterpiece which was designed by Rosalina Tran Lydster of Jewelry by Rosalina and Ms. Dang Thi Kim Lien of CAO Fine Jewelry.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080620/NYF033 )

The crown, valued at $120 thousand dollars, is made of 18K white and yellow gold. It is comprised of over 1,000 precious stones; including 555 white diamonds (30 carats), 375 cognac diamonds (14 carats), 10 smoky quartz crystals (20 carats) and 19 morganite gemstones (60 carats). The colors of the jewels chosen for the crown have great significance. The yellow luster of the gold represents the prosperous thriving economy in Vietnam. White, light pink and cognac are the main hues in the crown which represent inspiration and feeling.

Each piece of the crown was designed to represent an important attribute of the Miss Universe Pageant. The curves of inlaid precious stones represent the strong development and potential of each country. The image of the crane (Lac Bird) symbolizes Vietnamese spirit and culture. The image of the heart represents unified breath, rhythm and vision, which are powerful internal forces that stress faith, hope and unity.

"The Miss Universe crown is one of the most revered pieces of jewelry in the world," said Paula M. Shugart, President of the Miss Universe Organization. "We are very excited to have partnered with CAO Fine Jewelry and Jewelry by Rosalina to create this year's crown."

"The curved design creates a natural rhythm and a stable structure for the crown, symbolizing the spirit of unity. The crown combines the beauty and the character of each nation, accomplishing the goal of the pageant, which is international unity," explained designers Ms. Kim Lien and Rosalina Lydster.

Contestants from more than 80 countries will be judged in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview as they vie for the title of Miss Universe 2008 and the opportunity to wear the crown. The winner will receive a tiara by CAO Fine Jewelry valued at $30 thousand dollars.

The MISS UNIVERSE(R), MISS USA(R) and MISS TEEN USA(R) Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women's health and reproductive issues. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, God's Love We Deliver, APICHA and Gay Men's Health Crisis, Miss Universe is armed to impact women today.

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080620/NYF033
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Lark-Marie Anton, Esther Swan, or Joyce Lee, all of The Miss
Universe Organization, +1-212-373-4999, or Dara Busch of Rubenstein Public
Relations, +1-212-843-8079, for The Miss Universe Organization

Web site: http://www.missuniverse.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment