The crown was made by the Mikimoto Pearl company in Toba, Mie Prefecture, Japan used by the Miss Universe Organization.
The crown was designed by Japanese artisan Tomohiro Yamaji in 2000 and was created with the sponsorship of the Mikimoto Pearl company in 2002 for the commemorative 50th anniversary and as the official jewel sponsor of the Miss Universe Organization.
Due to inconsistent payments for copyright use by the Czech-based Diamond International Corporation to the Miss Universe Organization, along with the desire to re-establish lost branding prestige, the crown returned in January 2017 (press photography), November 2017 (coronation night) and December 2018 (coronation night).
Due to its delicate nature, a security detail was attached to the crown wherever it traveled and insured for $250,000 USD against the risk of loss or damage.
[citation needed] The following winners are certified by press release or official publication to have worn the Phoenix Mikimoto Crown as designated by the Miss Universe Organization: