Named The Better Crown, the 33.41-carat crown was designed and crafted entirely in Singapore, with sustainability in mind.

The design is by Marilyn Tan, Designer and Director of Marilyn Tan Jewellery, a Singapore company famous for bespoke jewellery. And all 677 diamonds in the crown are lab-grown and sponsored by Singapore company The Better Diamond.

Marilyn Tan explains the process behind the design. “This bespoke jewellery brief had great appeal because it combined new technology with age-old artisan techniques. And I could give the design a great local flavour.”

The Better Crown by Marilyn Tan Jewellery is stunning from all angles. Photo by Low Tuck Weng.

But Marilyn Tan admits she was cautious about designing a pageant crown at first. A believer in strong, empowered women, she had no intention of promoting old-fashioned attitudes towards women!

“Before I began designing we talked through the meaning of the Miss Universe event now. It’s definitely changed. All the directors now are women and different body shapes are celebrated. The programme now highlights inclusivity, empowerment and sustainability and brings the spotlight back to Singapore designers and artists. All this is exciting.”

Nandita Banna, 21, MIss Universe SIngapore 2021, wearing The Better Crown.
Photo by Ruiliang Ong/Lightspade studio. Creative Direction: Daniel Boey

Nandita Banna, 21 was crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2021 in August. In keeping with the inner strength of The Better Crown, Nandita backs up her victory with strong ambition and a deep sense of social justice. As well as being a double degree university student, majoring in business management and information systems, she plans to promote causes she believes in, including racial harmony. ”I hope I can use my position to remind people to embrace diversity and the contributions of different communitiEs.”

What inspired the modern design of the crown?

“Bespoke design is a constant conversation between designer and the client. So we talked about what the crown needed to say about Singapore and women,” explains Marilyn Tan.

Marilyn Tan says the stars on The Better Crown represent the five stars on Singapore’s national flag. “These stars depict Singapore's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. The waves are femine symbols and they also show Singapore as an island nation, above the ocean.”

Photo by Low Tuck Weng

To bring even more local flavour, Marilyn Tan reveals “The diamond stars are also inspired by traditional Bintang or star-shaped kerongsang brooches owned by my Peranakan mother-in-law. This design gives the crown a true Southeast Asian and Singapore story.

“Yet the design is still relatable to an international audience, because the Pernakan star designs are partly inspired by antique Victorian jewellery, mixed with Southeast Asian elements of design.

“I believe strong design can transcend borders and be successful anywhere in the world.”

Traditional Peranakan star-shaped brooches like this informed the design of the Miss Universe Singapore crown Photo:: Collection of Asian Civilisations Museum

Why use lab-grown diamonds in the crown?

The design of the crown is modern, yet timeless. Sleek lines of silver plated with gleaming rhodium precious metal represent the drive of modern women. Plus the crown is adorned with over 677 glittering lab-grown diamonds from Singapore company, The Better Diamond.

Bespoke jeweller Marilyn Tan sorting diamonds for the Miss Universe crown

Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly popular for contemporary jewellery because the gemstones are not mined under untraceable conditions. Instead lab-grown diamonds are fully traceable, ethical, environmentally-friendly and sustainable.

Marilyn Tan is known for her designs that use unique and natural gemstones, so why use lab-grown? “Sustainable and ethical sources of gemstones are important to me personally, and professionally. By law, reputable jewellers in Singapore must verify the source of any gemstones used here. So it was exciting to work with lab-grown diamonds.”

Why make the crown by hand in Singapore?

Bespoke jewellery has special challenges. It has to look beautiful. Plus it has to be comfortable to wear. Marilyn Tan explains, “I invested much thought into construction and fit of the crown.This sparkling crown must be lightweight and comfortable, but strong enough to be moved around and worn at events.”

She pays respect to the master jewellery craftsmen of Singapore. “I worked with two very experienced jewellery sifu or experts. They made every part of this crown by hand. It was exciting to marry their time-honoured techniques and years of expertise with the fairly new technology of lab-grown diamonds.”

Marilyn Tan worked with expert artisans to hand make the crown for Miss Universe Singapore.

To co-ordinate all the complicated workshop logistics, Marilyn worked closely with Alex Tan, Director of Soosoomon Jewellery, a workshop in Singapore which specialises in crafting one-of-a-kind and custom-made pieces for jewellery designers.

Expert artisans in Singapore crafted The Better Crown.

Above all Marilyn Tan hopes this gorgeous crown will send a very positive message. “Be proud of your heritage. When I began as a jewellery designer, few clients understood the value of design. They only saw value in the weight of the gemstones and precious metals. But that’s changed now. I’m thrilled this Singapore design will be seen both here and on international stages.”

Photo by Low Tuck Weng