March 19, 2005: Adorned with 482 round brilliant cut diamonds over 11 carats and 117 Japanese akoya and white South Sea cultured pearls from 3.5-15 millimeters, the Miss USA crown is ready for its rightful owner. Diamond jeweller Mikimoto is partnering Radcliffe Jewellers and the Red Devils, a local breast cancer foundation, to introduce the Miss USA crown.

The pearls in the crown were hand-picked at Mikimoto Pearl Island in Japan, by Miss Universe 2001 Denise Quinones and Mikimoto designer Tomohiro Yajima.

The crown sports a phoenix rising, an ancient symbol of status, power and great beauty. The price of the Miss USA crown is $200,000. As the official jeweler, Mikimoto designs, produces and supplies the crowns for the annual Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA competitions, which are kept by the Miss Universe Organization for the annual competitions.

Mikimoto also supplies original tiaras which will be awarded to each winner as part of her overall prize package. The tiara has 86 Akoya and white South Sea cultured pearls, and is valued at $17,500.
The coveted crown will be unveiled on March 31 at Radcliffe's Towson Town Centre store.

Among attendees at the function will be current Miss USA Shandi Finnessey and other contestants of the Miss USA 2005. The crown will be on display at the store till the annual beauty pageant. The Miss USA pageant date has been set for April 11. The show will be broadcast live from Baltimore's Hippodrome theatre. A certain percentage of the proceeds form the evening function will go Red Devils.

BY A CORRESPONDENT