SALE of Christie�s Magnificent Jewels in New York from the collection of actress Ellen Barkin totalled $20.37 million.

The sale is the highest single-owner jewellery sale of the past 15 years in the US and among the top four ever worldwide, Christie�s said, adding the largest selection of JAR creations ever seen at auction, helped propel prices.

The top lot of the night was a 22.76 carat "thread" ring by JAR, sold for $1.8 million, significantly higher than the $1.2 million estimate.