The Miss Vietnam 2014 crown has just been listed in the National Guinness record for having the highest number of natural pearls.

The record, issued by the Vietnam Record Association, was granted on October 20 to a group of around 20 artisans who designed and created the crown that cost around VND2.5 billion (US$118,000).

Ho Thanh Tuan, one of the artisans, said that the highlight of the crown is a 15mm large golden pearl placed at the center of the crown, surrounded by 18 natural pearls.

Besides nearly 1,000 natural diamonds that help create sparkling lights, the crown also features 36 white Akoya pearls whose color is considered a traditional symbol of elegance and beauty.

This year, the Miss Vietnam contest, which is running from June 4 to December 6, is being jointly organized by Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper and the People’s Committee of Kien Giang Province – located in the Mekong Delta – with the support of Tien Phong Joint Stock Company, Ho Chi Minh City’s Golden Lotus Construction and Investment Joint Stock Company, and Vinpearl Joint Stock Company.

Besides upholding the same regulations from previous years, Miss Vietnam 2014 will tighten its rules in terms of contestants’ marital status. Specifically, anyone who lives with her boyfriend as husband and wife, even without a marriage certificate, is not eligible.

Besides, the contest has decreased its minimum height requirement to 1.62m from 1.65m, allowing more women to apply.

Dang Thu Thao, from the southern province of Bac Lieu, was crowned in the 2012 edition.