The year 2003 saw the release of a unique collector’s edition doll line by Mattel: the Birthstone Collection. This series featured twelve Barbie dolls, each representing a different gemstone traditionally associated with a month of the year. While the provided sources do not delve into the gemological properties of these stones, they offer a comprehensive catalog of the dolls produced, providing a unique intersection of collectible artistry and the enduring tradition of birthstones. This article will detail the dolls released as part of the Birthstone Collection, outlining the gemstones they represent and providing a listing of the various doll iterations produced.
A Year-by-Year Representation
The Birthstone Collection aimed to encapsulate the beauty and symbolism of each month’s designated gemstone through a series of collectible Barbie dolls. The collection spanned the entire calendar year, beginning with January’s garnet and concluding with December’s (not represented in the provided sources). Each doll was designed to evoke the color and perceived essence of its corresponding stone.
The dolls released, as documented in the sources, are as follows:
- January: Garnet Barbie Doll (B3409, C0583, C5331)
- February: Amethyst Barbie Doll (B3410, C0584, C5332)
- March: Aquamarine Barbie Doll (B3411, C0585, C5333)
- April: Diamond Barbie Doll (B3412, C0586, C5334)
- May: Emerald Barbie Doll (B3413, C0575, C5323)
- June: Pearl Barbie Doll (B3414, C0576, C5324)
- July: Ruby Barbie Doll (B3415, C0577, C5325)
- August: Peridot Barbie Doll (B3416, C0578, C5326)
- September: Sapphire Barbie Doll (B2394, C0579, C5327)
- October: Opal Barbie Doll (B2395, C0580, C5328)
- November: Topaz Barbie Doll (B2396, C0581, C5329)
Notably, each gemstone was represented by multiple doll variations, identified by different product codes (e.g., B3409, C0583, C5331 for the January Garnet Barbie). This suggests variations in packaging, minor design details, or distribution channels.
Doll Variations and Product Codes
The sources provide a detailed listing of product codes associated with each doll. These codes appear to be internal Mattel identifiers, potentially indicating production runs, packaging variations, or retail exclusivity. The presence of multiple codes for each gemstone suggests that the dolls were not released as a single, uniform edition. Instead, there were likely several iterations of each doll throughout the year, catering to different markets or collector preferences.
The following table summarizes the product codes associated with each birthstone doll:
| Birthstone | Product Codes |
|---|---|
| Garnet | B3409, C0583, C5331 |
| Amethyst | B3410, C0584, C5332 |
| Aquamarine | B3411, C0585, C5333 |
| Diamond | B3412, C0586, C5334 |
| Emerald | B3413, C0575, C5323 |
| Pearl | B3414, C0576, C5324 |
| Ruby | B3415, C0577, C5325 |
| Peridot | B3416, C0578, C5326 |
| Sapphire | B2394, C0579, C5327 |
| Opal | B2395, C0580, C5328 |
| Topaz | B2396, C0581, C5329 |
Further research beyond the provided sources would be necessary to determine the specific differences between these variations.
Care and Maintenance (Based on Related Documentation)
While the sources do not directly address the care of the dolls themselves, a related document (Source 2) provides instructions for maintaining the hair of the dolls, which is relevant given the collectible nature of the Birthstone Collection. The instructions detail how to brush and style the doll’s hair, differentiating between wavy/straight and curly textures. The recommended approach involves using a wire wig brush for straight hair and a hair pick for curly hair, lightly misting the hair with water for easier styling, and gently brushing or picking out tangles while working from the ends towards the base. This information, while not directly related to the gemstones, highlights the care required to preserve the dolls’ aesthetic appeal.
Limitations and Further Research
The provided sources are limited in scope, focusing primarily on the cataloging of the dolls themselves. They do not offer any information regarding the historical significance of birthstones, the geological origins of the gemstones, or their metaphysical properties. The sources also lack details about the design process, the materials used in the dolls’ creation, or the marketing strategy behind the Birthstone Collection.
To provide a more comprehensive overview of the Birthstone Collection and its connection to the world of gemstones, further research would be necessary. This could include:
- Examining marketing materials from 2003 to understand the intended message and target audience.
- Analyzing the dolls’ designs to identify specific aesthetic choices that reflect the characteristics of each gemstone.
- Investigating the historical and cultural significance of each birthstone.
- Exploring the gemological properties of each gemstone to provide a scientific context for the collection.
- Consulting collector communities and online forums to gather insights from individuals who own and appreciate these dolls.
Conclusion
The 2003 Birthstone Collection represents a unique intersection of collectible artistry and the enduring tradition of birthstones. The series, comprising twelve Barbie dolls each representing a different gemstone, offers a fascinating glimpse into the cultural significance of these stones. While the provided sources offer a detailed catalog of the dolls produced, including variations identified by product codes, they lack in-depth information regarding the gemstones themselves. Further research is needed to fully understand the historical, geological, and cultural context of the Birthstone Collection and its place within the broader world of gemology and collectibles.