If you got a copy of today's NY Times, there's no way you could have resisted reading the Styles section story about Ellen Barkin. Not only was there a big headline ("Ellen Unloads") and big photograph of her, there were photos of jewelry accumulated during her marriage to Ron Perelman - jewelry that will be auctioned at Christie's New York on October 10. And it's some decadent stuff. We looked up the auction on the Christie's website, where we learned that sometimes necklaces are called sautoirs and that Ron Perelman must be many a jeweler's friend (apparently Ron loved to buy diamonds rings). The "Magnificent Jewels from the Collection of Ellen Barkin" is expected to bring in $10-15 million, and Barkin tells the Times she's using proceeds to fund her own film production company. Now we understand the discrepancy in her post-divorce settlement numbers.
While Ellen Barkin is hot stuff, she is no match for the Star Trek auction at Christie's next month. To view items like a replica of the Starship Enterprise bridge at Christie's starting September 30, you need a "Star Pass" ($25) or a catalogue.
Photograph of Ellen Barkin's emerald and diamond ring by JAR from Christie's; estimate: $80,000-120,000
