The provided sources primarily focus on the Barbie brand, its products, and associated retail listings. While information regarding the geological properties, historical significance, or traditional lore of opal is absent, a clear connection emerges between the Barbie brand and the designation of opal as the October birthstone. This article will explore this connection, detailing Barbie’s association with opal through specific product lines, and outlining the limited information available regarding the broader context of Barbie’s product range and retail presence.
Barbie and the October Birthstone
The most significant information gleaned from the sources centers around the “Barbie October Birthstone Doll – Walmart CDK18” (Source 1). This indicates a deliberate marketing strategy by Mattel, the creator of Barbie, to link specific dolls to birthstones. The doll, identified by the product code CDK18, is explicitly associated with the month of October and, by extension, the opal. Barbiepedia, the source of this information, notes that Barbie products encompass a wide range of items beyond the dolls themselves, including books, magazines, clothing, and even a movie saga (Source 1). This demonstrates the extensive branding and marketing efforts surrounding the Barbie franchise.
Further listings on BarbieDB (Source 2) and eBay (Sources 3 & 4) confirm the continuous release of Barbie dolls and accessories. While these listings do not provide details about the October birthstone doll beyond its identification, they illustrate the breadth of Barbie’s product line and the active market for Barbie collectibles. The presence of Barbie dolls on eBay, both in Canada (Source 4) and generally (Source 3), highlights the global reach of the brand and the secondary market for its products.
Barbie’s Product Range and Retail Presence
The sources reveal the diverse nature of Barbie’s product offerings. Beyond the core dolls and fashion accessories, Barbie-branded items include books, magazines, clothing, cosmetics, video games, and decorative objects (Source 1). This expansive range demonstrates Mattel’s strategy of extending the Barbie brand into multiple consumer categories. The sources also list various Barbie doll lines, such as the “2024 Barbie Holiday Doll,” “Barbie Looks 20 Red Head Purple Skirt Outfit Doll,” and “Barbie Extra Fly Snow Doll” (Source 2). These examples showcase the constant introduction of new dolls and collections, designed to maintain consumer interest and drive sales.
The retail landscape for Barbie products is also evident in the provided sources. Walmart is specifically mentioned as a retailer for the October birthstone doll (Source 1), and eBay serves as a significant platform for both new and pre-owned Barbie items (Sources 3 & 4). The listings on eBay also categorize Barbie products alongside other toy brands and collectible items, indicating the brand’s position within the broader toy market.
Categorization of Products on Retail Platforms
The sources provide a detailed categorization of products available on platforms like eBay. These categories range from Action Figures and Diecast Vehicles to Baby Essentials and Home & Garden items (Sources 3 & 4). This categorization reveals the wide variety of products available for purchase online and the complex structure of e-commerce platforms. Within these categories, further subcategories exist, allowing consumers to refine their searches and find specific items. For example, under “Baby,” subcategories include “Toys for Baby,” “Feeding,” and “Nursery Furniture” (Source 4).
The inclusion of categories like “Loose Diamonds & Gemstones” and “Jewellery & Watches” on eBay (Source 4) is noteworthy, though it does not directly relate to the Barbie October birthstone doll. This highlights the presence of gemstone and jewelry sales on the platform, potentially indicating a consumer base interested in both toys and precious stones.
Limited Gemological Information
It is crucial to acknowledge the significant lack of gemological information within the provided sources. There is no discussion of opal’s chemical composition, geological formation, physical properties (such as hardness or refractive index), historical uses, or cultural significance. The sources solely focus on the Barbie brand and its marketing strategies. Therefore, a comprehensive discussion of opal as a gemstone is impossible based on the available data.
The sources do not offer any insight into why opal was chosen as the October birthstone. Traditional birthstone lists vary, and the modern standardization of birthstones is a relatively recent phenomenon. Without additional information, it is impossible to determine the rationale behind Mattel’s selection of opal for the October birthstone doll.
Table of Barbie Dolls Mentioned in Sources
| Doll Name | Source |
|---|---|
| Barbie October Birthstone Doll (CDK18) | 1 |
| 2024 Barbie Holiday Doll | 2 |
| Barbie Looks 20 Red Head Purple Skirt Outfit Doll | 2 |
| Barbie Extra Fly Snow Doll | 2 |
| Harley Davidson Barbie Doll | 2 |
Conclusion
The provided sources demonstrate a clear marketing connection between the Barbie brand and the October birthstone, opal. The “Barbie October Birthstone Doll – Walmart CDK18” exemplifies this strategy, linking a specific product to a birthstone in an effort to appeal to consumers. The sources also reveal the extensive range of Barbie products and the brand’s significant retail presence, particularly through Walmart and eBay. However, the sources lack any substantive information regarding the gemstone opal itself, its geological properties, or its historical and cultural significance. The information is overwhelmingly focused on the Barbie brand and its commercial activities.