If You Have to Ask How Much...

One can always dream, right? Christie's expects the Evening Star diamond, which was plucked from the Golconda mines of India, to sell for anywhere between $3.6 and $5.5 million. It is part of the Magnificent Jewels from a Distinguished Private Collector sale, which takes place next Thursday, December 10. In addition, Bulgari, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, will be auctioning off jewelry and watches with a total value of $4 million at Christie's on December 8. Proceeds will go to Save the Children's Rewrite the Future project.

If you like sparkle, you'd better reserve your paddle now.

Even During a Recession, They're Still a Girl's Best Friend

A 32-carat emerald-cut diamond ring once owned by prominent philanthropist Leonore Annenberg was sold at a Christie's auction yesterday for $7.7 million. The precious gem, in a setting created by jeweler David Webb, had been Annenberg's 90th-birthday gift to herself. (The widow of former U.S. Ambassador to Britain Walter Annenberg, she died earlier this year at the age of 91.)

The new owner, whose name was not released, paid a price that blew through the pre-sale estimate, which was $3–$5 million. Where will we see the ring next? Only time will tell.

An Ocean of Support

Law and Order star and crusader for the environment Sam Waterston headlined a benefit reception this evening for Oceana. Founded to heighten awareness about the environmental dangers posed to the world's oceans as well as the dangers to humans who consume contaminated seafood, Oceana has enjoyed great success in effecting real change in the way countries and companies regard the high seas. The setting for tonight's event, Christies New York, was a particularly fitting one, given the house's major auction of vintage ocean liner memorabilia, taking place tomorrow evening, at 5:00. As guests milled about among vintage deck chairs, oil paintings of steam ships and even a life jacket from the Titanic, the enduring allure of ocean travel demonstrated yet one more reason it's high time we tossed the sea a lifeline.