The Jewel that Weighs (and not exactly on the head)
Ah, the Miss Universe pageant. That show where world peace and the response to the climate crisis are measured on the catwalk and thirty-second responses. In its 74th edition, held in the exotic Thailand, the Mexican Fátima Bosch won not only the title, but also the right to carry on her hair an object whose value would make any accountant cry with emotion: the crown.
The Tabascan thus became the fourth woman from her country to achieve this feat, demonstrating once again that in these events not only plastic beauty is evaluated, but also the ability to smile elegantly while answering an existential question with the depth of an internet meme. A whole art.
A price that shines brighter than diamonds
Among the “benefits” the winner receives – which surely include a year of forced smiles and sponsored trips – the item that causes the most stir is, of course, the crown. Because what is a queen without her shiny and disproportionately expensive accessory?
The jewel in question, which Miss Bosch proudly premiered in Thailand, is the work of the Filipino house Jewelmer. Baptized with the poetic name “Lumière de l’Infini” (Light of the Infinite, for those who do not speak French), this piece was premiered by the Danish predecessor. One wonders if the “infinity” in the name refers to its beauty or the time it would take to pay for it in installments.
And here comes the good part. According to the always rigorous transmission of Image Televisión, this high-voltage headdress has an estimated value of 5 million dollars. For those who prefer a more local figure and with more zeros, we are talking about approximately 92 billion Mexican pesos. Yes, you read that right. With that money, one could buy several private islands or finance the university education of a small army of promising young people. But hey, who needs scholarships when you can have a crown that shines?
The deep symbolism (and the invoice)
The creators, in a display of lyrical marketing, describe the piece as “the summit of excellence and know-how.” Translation: it cost an awful lot to make. The “Lumière de l’Infini” is, supposedly, a tribute to life and its elements. The rays with diamonds represent sunlight, because nothing says “heavenly fire” like a precious stone extracted from the depths of the earth.
The gold and diamond earrings allude to sea foam and air, in an analogy that undoubtedly left romantic poets speechless… or perhaps made them roll in their graves. And the golden pearls of the South Sea, we are told, evoke the terrestrial sphere, radiating beauty from the ocean. A profound message, no doubt, about how beauty emanates from our source of life, or perhaps just an elaborate justification for an exorbitant price. Who knows? The truth is that it is the most expensive crown in the history of the contest, a fact that, ironically, does have a universal and easy to understand symbolism: that of the power of capital.
So there you have it. While you wonder if you’ll make ends meet, the new Miss Universe walks around with an object worth more than most mortals’ wealth. A lesson in humility and what really matters in this world… or quite the opposite.
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