On ribbon with a single five-pointed gilt star denoting a second class (commander) grade award.

The Order was instituted on 27 January 1947 in the single class of Knight to be awarded to expatriate Italians and foreign nationals "to recognise those who made special contributions to the reconstruction of Italy after the Second World War". Two further classes - Grand Officer and Commander - were added soon after on 3 July 1948. The Order was granted sparingly until 24 November 1978 when awards ceased. It was amended on 21 September 2001 and began to be awarded again to ‘Italian workers throughout the world’, the central band of the ribbon changed from green to red. The Order was reconstituted on 3 February 2011, being renamed the Ordine della Stella d’Italia (Order of the Star of Italy), and expanded to five classes. It is currently awarded for the preservation and promotion of Italian national prestige abroad, promoting friendly relations and co-operation with other countries and ties with Italy.