Richie spurns richest sparklies

Jewelers would have you believe that every woman wants a diamond.

To some celebrities, though, other things signify forever.

Take Nicole Richie, for example. You’d think the former “Simple Life” star, who spent time with former gal-pal Paris Hilton squatting of all place on a farm, would love the expensive sparklies.

Her partner Joel Madden says otherwise.

Madden claims that whatever he buys Richie for Christmas, it’s not likely to involve a stop at Jared.

“She’s not really into diamonds,” rocker Madden told E!Online.

The Good Charlotte lead vocalist said that Richie “appreciates more of the creative.”

That sentiment, he added, seems to extend to the couple’s 11-month-old daughter Harlow Winter Kate Richie-Madden.

Harlow should expect to receive, Madden said, “a lot of organic toys like wooden blocks.”

Just say no – to striking

Seems liberal-friendly Hollywood is capable of adopting an anti-strike pose when it needs to. Variety says more than 130 stars, including George Clooney, Alan Alda, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron and Tom Hanks, have asked Screen Actors Guild members to vote against the union’s strike authorization.

The reason: The actors claim a strike would cause too much economic hardship.

Let’s go home for the holidays

Actor Ryan Phillippe’s girlfriend, Abbie Cornish, says that Philippe, 34, is going to spend Christmas with her and her parents. “It’s wonderful,” Cornish, 26, gushed to reporters.

What’s a few million pounds?

Turns out Madonna’s publicist Liz Rosenberg wasn’t exactly correct in her reporting about the singer’s divorce settlement with estranged husband, director Guy Ritchie. Thing is, the couple won’t say what the mistakes were. Rosenberg had that Madonna would pay Ritchie a settlement in the range of 50 million to 60 million pounds (about $76 million to $92 million). But the divorcing couple’s latest joint statement says settlement details of their divorce will remain private.

‘Columbo’ star has Alzheimer’s

Peter Falk’s daughter claims in a court document that the Emmy-winning actor is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Catherine Falk is seeking a Los Angeles court’s approval for a conservatorship of her 81-year-old father, who she claims no longer recognizes people.

Falk is familiar to most audiences as the star of the television series “Columbo,” for which he won four Emmys. He also received two Oscar nominations, in 1959 and 1960.

Mayer proud of his cupcake

What did Jennifer Aniston’s boyfriend, John Mayer, think of her recent nude pose on the cover of GQ magazine? “If you have a problem with that cover,” he said, “go make bagels!”

The birthday bunch

Actor Roger Smith is 76. Blues guitarist Lonnie Brooks is 75. Guitarist Keith Richards is 65. Director Steven Spielberg is 62. Movie critic Leonard Maltin is 58. Guitarist Elliot Easton of The Cars is 55. Actor Ray Liotta is 53. Actor Brad Pitt is 45. Actress Rachel Griffiths is 40. Rapper DMX is 38. Actress Katie Holmes is 30. Singer Christina Aguilera is 28.