The Barbie Birthstone Collection’s April doll, featuring a diamond motif, represents a unique intersection of toy design and the enduring symbolism of the diamond. Released in 2002 as part of a larger series, this doll embodies the association of diamonds with April birthdays. While the provided sources offer limited detail regarding the gemological properties of diamonds themselves, they comprehensively document the doll’s existence within the collection, its production details, and its place within the broader Barbie universe. This article will explore the history of the Barbie Birthstone Collection, the specific details of the April Diamond Barbie, and the context of its creation and sale.
The Barbie Birthstone Collection: A Yearly Tradition
The Birthstone Collection was a series of dolls released by Mattel, the creator of Barbie, beginning in 2003. The collection featured a Barbie doll designed to represent each month of the year, with each doll incorporating the color and symbolism of its corresponding birthstone. The series encompassed twelve months, with multiple versions released for some months, as evidenced by the various catalog numbers listed in the provided materials. For January, there were three variations (B3409, C0583, and C5331), February had three (B3410, C0584, and C5332), and March also had three (B3411, C0585, and C5333). The April Diamond Barbie (B3412, C0586, and C5334) is similarly represented with multiple catalog numbers, indicating its popularity and potential for varied releases. The collection demonstrates Mattel’s strategy of expanding the Barbie brand through themed releases, appealing to collectors and gift-givers seeking items tied to specific occasions.
The April Diamond Barbie: Details and Production
The April Diamond Barbie, identified by product ID 20072286, is described as a brunette doll released in 2002. The sources emphasize the doll’s mint condition when sold in its original packaging, highlighting the importance of preservation for collectors. Specific criteria for a “mint” condition doll include the absence of shelf wear, scratches, price stickers, yellowing, or cracking on the box. Damage to corners or crushing of the packaging would classify the doll as “non-mint,” impacting its resale value. The sources indicate a willingness to purchase these dolls, contingent on their condition, with a potential deduction of 15% from the posted buy price for those not meeting mint standards. The stringent requirements for purchase underscore the collector’s market and the premium placed on pristine condition.
The doll is sourced directly from authorized retailers in the US, UK, UAE, and India, according to one source, ensuring authenticity and quality control. Desertcart, the retailer mentioned, emphasizes secure transactions, quality verification, and comprehensive return policies, aiming to provide a safe shopping experience for customers. Delivery times are estimated between 3-9 business days, with full order tracking and handling of customs clearance.
Barbie: A Cultural Icon
The Barbie brand, created by Ruth Handler on March 9, 1959, has become a global phenomenon. Beyond the dolls themselves, the Barbie universe encompasses a wide range of products, including books, magazines, clothing, cosmetics, video games, and decorative objects. The brand even has its own movie saga, demonstrating its enduring cultural impact. The dolls are manufactured at approximately 1/6 scale, also known as playscale, allowing for detailed accessories and a consistent aesthetic across the product line. Barbiepedia, a dedicated online resource, serves as a repository of information about the brand and its history, encouraging citation and active linking to maintain its accuracy and accessibility.
Market and Retail Context
The provided sources offer insights into the retail landscape surrounding the April Diamond Barbie. Platforms like eBay feature listings for vintage and antique Barbie dolls, indicating a thriving secondary market. Desertcart positions itself as a platform for sourcing products difficult to find elsewhere, appealing to collectors seeking specific items. The inclusion of “Popular Topics” and “Top Stores” on eBay suggests a dynamic search environment driven by consumer demand. The presence of diverse product categories, from pottery and glass to entertainment memorabilia and pet supplies, highlights the breadth of eBay’s offerings. The inclusion of travel-related items and religious products further demonstrates the platform’s expansive reach.
Quality Assurance and Customer Service
Desertcart emphasizes its commitment to quality assurance, with each product undergoing a verification process before shipping. The platform also provides 24/7 customer support and a comprehensive returns policy, aiming to build trust with customers. Trustpilot reviews, with a TrustScore of 4.5 based on over 7,300 reviews, further attest to the platform’s customer satisfaction. Specific customer testimonials highlight the exceptional quality of products and the responsiveness of customer service, reinforcing Desertcart’s reputation as a reliable retailer.
Limitations of the Sources
The provided sources, while informative regarding the April Diamond Barbie doll and its retail context, are limited in their scope. They offer no information on the gemological properties of diamonds – their chemical composition, hardness, refractive index, or cut. Nor do they delve into the historical symbolism of diamonds, their mining locations, or their significance in different cultures. The sources primarily focus on the doll as a collectible item, neglecting the broader context of the birthstone it represents. The information is heavily skewed towards the commercial aspects of the doll, with details on condition, pricing, and retail platforms dominating the content.
Summary of Available Information
The April Diamond Barbie, released in 2002 as part of Mattel’s Birthstone Collection, is a brunette doll representing the April birthstone. The doll is valued by collectors for its mint condition, with specific criteria defining its desirability. It is sourced from authorized retailers and sold through platforms like Desertcart and eBay. The Barbie brand, created in 1959, has become a cultural icon with a diverse range of products and a dedicated fanbase. The retail context emphasizes quality assurance, customer service, and a thriving secondary market for vintage Barbie dolls. However, the provided sources lack detailed information on the diamond itself, focusing primarily on the doll as a collectible item.
Conclusion
The April Diamond Barbie serves as a tangible representation of the April birthstone, the diamond, within the broader context of the Barbie universe. While the provided sources do not offer a comprehensive exploration of the diamond’s gemological properties or historical significance, they provide valuable insights into the doll’s production, retail context, and collector’s value. The doll’s meticulous condition requirements and the emphasis on secure transactions and customer service reflect the demands of the collector’s market and the importance of brand reputation. The April Diamond Barbie, therefore, stands as a unique artifact, blending the artistry of doll design with the enduring symbolism of the diamond.