Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 tiara adorned with diamonds and pearls

Exquisite: The RM500,000 tiara has 229 freshwater pearls, six blue sapphires, diamonds and white gold.

IN conjunction with the Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 pageant, jeweller Rafflesia The Pearl Centre will embark on its inaugural journey in designing the pageant tiara, which will be worn by the winner at the finale on Dec 10.

While announcing the names of some of the pageant finalists at Rafflesia The Pearl Centre in Parkroyal Hotel Kuala Lumpur recently, the jeweller also revealed that the tiara, adorned with white gold, diamonds and pearls priced at RM500,000, was designed by its director Winnie Sin.

“This is the first time that Rafflesia has collaborated with the Miss Universe Malaysia organisers.

“We are happy they appro-ached us because this is a great opportunity for us to also find our first Miss Rafflesia on Jan 4, 2013.

“The winner will be chosen from the top seven Miss Universe Malaysia contestants,” said Sin.

Sin said by designing the tiara for the pageant, it was a reflection of Rafflesia’s 10th anniversary in the entertainment and jewellery making business.

Also present were Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 finalists Carey Ng, 24, Sarah Jade Schipper, 25, Samantha Katie James, 18, Natalia Ng, 24, Symren Kaur, 20, and Trisha Kuck, 20.

The tiara consists of 229 freshwater pearls, six blue sapphires, diamonds and white gold and designed in floral motif.

“It took us a month to design the tiara. We wanted to create something that represents our brand rather than the conventional crown,” said Sin.

The chosen one from the top seven Miss Universe Malaysia contestants, who will be Miss Rafflesia, will represent the organisation at its events.

“That person has to enjoy being in the limelight and make appearances at red carpet events.”

Meanwhile, finalist James, who hails from Klang and is of Brazilian-Chinese parentage and can speak four languages, is a part-time model who entered the pageant to meet new people.

“I used to be very shy but after entering the competition I am now more confident in myself.

Schipper, who is of Dutch-Chinese parentage, said she was keen on fighting for the cause against animal cruelty and hoped the pageant could provide a platform for her to do so.

“I put my career as an event executive on hold to take up a pet-grooming course because my long-term plan is to open a pet shop.

“The pageant will also help me get more modelling exposure and meet new people,” said Schipper.