When Barbie dolls first hit stores in 1959, they cost $3 — but times have drastically changed.
Now, as one of the most lucrative toys ever, Barbies can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. Mattel, the toy's creator, often launches special limited editions of the doll, in addition to collaborating with famous clothing and jewelry designers.
See also: 14 Barbie Facts That Will Pop Your Plastic Head Off
The most expensive Barbie in existence was designed by Australian jeweler Stefano Canturi. Dripping in a bevy of white and pink diamonds, the doll was sold in an auction for a whopping $302,500.
Life in plastic really can be fantastic.
To raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Mattel tapped Australian jewelry designer Stefano Canturi to create a special edition Barbie. It took six months to make the doll, which sported a diamond necklace worth $300,000 alone. In 2010, the Barb was purchased for $302,500, which is the highest auctioned Barbie of all time, according to a Mattel rep.
"Actress" is one of the jobs on Barbie's illustrious résumé. In 2008, she starred in an animated film called Barbie & the Diamond Castle. Though it went straight to video, Mattel created a promotional doll for the flick. To go with her diamond castle, they outfitted Barbie with a gown drowning in 318 diamonds worth $94,800.
For Barbie's 40th anniversary, diamond jewelers De Beers designed a scantily clad, raven-haired doll. What she lacked in clothes, she made up for by wearing a belt encrusted with 160 diamonds.
Today, an original Barbie from 1959 is worth thousands -- a far cry from its original $3 price tag. The highest auctioned price of the original 1959 Barbie doll, in mint condition, was $27,450.
Lorraine Schwartz, jewelry designer to the stars, also got in on the custom Barbie action. She created a doll decked out with $25,000 worth of diamond accessories. Despite the hefty price tag, the doll sold in auction for about $7,500.
In another round of charity benefits, designer Devi Kroell customized a Barbie with gold boots and a simple black dress. The doll ended up selling for $1,075.
The most expensive retail Barbie doll created to date is the limited edition, 1996 Pink Splendor Barbie. The doll came with a satin pink gown and originally retailed for $900.