If you’ve ever walked down the rabbit hole of high-end doll collecting, you know things get weirdly intense. People argue over the exact shade of lipstick on a 1950s ponytail Barbie like they’re debating the Mona Lisa. But then there’s the elizabeth taylor white diamonds barbie. It’s not just a toy. It’s a tiny, plastic monument to a woman who was basically the original influencer before the internet existed.
Honestly, most people think there's only one version of this doll. They see a white dress and some "jewelry" and call it a day. But if you're actually looking to buy one or just curious why your aunt has one locked in a glass case, there’s a lot more to the story. We aren't just talking about a Mattel cash-grab here.
The 2000 vs. 2012 Confusion
Let’s clear this up right now: there are actually two very different "White Diamonds" dolls.
In 2000, Mattel dropped the first one under their Timeless Treasures line. It was a "Special Edition." If you find this one today, it’s usually in a box with a lot of purple and gold. The doll herself is wearing a shimmering white gown and has those legendary violet eyes. People went nuts for it because Elizabeth Taylor was still very much alive and had actually approved the face sculpt.
Fast forward to 2012.
This is the one serious collectors crave. It’s part of the Silkstone Barbie collection, which means the material feels like porcelain but is actually a heavy, smooth vinyl. It was a Gold Label release, designed by the legendary Robert Best. He’s basically the Tom Ford of the Barbie world.
The 2012 Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds Barbie isn’t just a doll in a box. It’s a gift set. You get a mini bottle of the White Diamonds perfume, a movie script, and even a red ribbon pinned to her dress.
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Why the Red Ribbon Matters
Most celebrity dolls are just about the glamour. They want to sell the "look." But the 2012 version did something kinda brave for a mainstream toy.
The red ribbon on the doll’s dress is a direct nod to Taylor’s work with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Back in the 80s and 90s, when people were terrified to even talk about HIV/AIDS, Liz Taylor was out there using her massive fame to raise millions. Mattel including that ribbon was a way of saying she was more than just a face on a screen.
It makes the doll feel... human? If that’s possible for a piece of plastic. It’s a tribute to her activism, which she often said was more important than her entire film career.
Those Famous Violet Eyes
You can’t talk about Elizabeth Taylor without mentioning her eyes. Everyone swears they were purple. Scientists usually say they were just a very deep blue that looked violet under certain lights, but Mattel didn't care about the science.
They gave the elizabeth taylor white diamonds barbie striking, unmistakable purple eyes.
In the 2012 Silkstone version, the face sculpt is incredibly sophisticated. It’s not the generic "smiling Barbie" face. It’s got that slightly heavy-lidded, sultry look that Taylor was famous for. The eyebrows are arched perfectly. It looks like she’s about to deliver a biting one-liner and then walk away in a cloud of perfume.
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The Accessories (and the Fragrance)
The 2012 gift set is basically a tiny lifestyle kit.
- The Dress: A white, off-the-shoulder gown inspired by the Golden Age of Hollywood.
- The Jewelry: A suite of "gold" jewelry that, while plastic, is surprisingly detailed.
- The Perfume: A miniature replica of the White Diamonds bottle.
- The Extras: You get sunglasses, a second pair of heels, and a movie script.
White Diamonds, the perfume, launched in 1991 and is still one of the best-selling celebrity fragrances ever. Most of them die out after a year or two. Liz’s scent is still on shelves at every department store. Putting it in the Barbie box was a masterstroke of branding.
Is It Actually Worth Money?
If you’re hoping to retire on your elizabeth taylor white diamonds barbie, I’ve got some "kinda-sorta" news for you.
The 2000 Special Edition is relatively common. You can usually find it on eBay for somewhere between $60 and $100. It’s a nice piece, but it won’t pay your mortgage.
The 2012 Gold Label Silkstone version is a different animal.
Because it was limited to about 7,000 pieces worldwide, it’s much harder to find. If it’s Never Removed From Box (NRFB), you’re looking at prices ranging from $250 to over $400. Prices have been creeping up lately as more people realize how high the quality is. Silkstone dolls in general have a cult following because they don't degrade as easily as standard plastic dolls.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume these dolls were just generic "Hollywood" Barbies that Mattel slapped a name on. Not true.
Elizabeth Taylor was notoriously picky. She didn't just sign a contract; she reviewed the prototypes. She wanted to make sure the "Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds Barbie" actually looked like her. She was a businesswoman as much as an actress. She knew her image was her brand, and she protected it until the day she died in 2011. The 2012 doll was actually a posthumous release, but the designs and approval had been in the works before she passed.
How to Tell if You Have a "Real" One
If you find one at a garage sale and want to know what you’ve got:
- Check the body weight. If it feels heavy and cold to the touch, it’s likely the 2012 Silkstone.
- Look for the accessories. The 2000 version is just the doll and the dress. The 2012 version has the script and the perfume bottle.
- The Box. The Gold Label box is much more sturdy and premium-looking than the 2000 cardboard-and-plastic window box.
Actionable Insights for Collectors
If you're looking to add this to your collection, don't just buy the first one you see.
- Box Condition is Everything: In the world of high-end Barbies, a crushed corner can drop the value by 20%. Look for "MINT" or "NRFB" tags.
- Check the Elastic: On the 2000 version, the clear elastics holding the accessories in place often rot over time. If you see shoes rattling around at the bottom of the box, it’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a reason to ask for a lower price.
- Verify the Label: Ensure the 2012 version actually has the "Gold Label" insignia on the box. There are a lot of "custom" or "OOAK" (One Of A Kind) dolls out there that try to mimic the look.
The elizabeth taylor white diamonds barbie remains one of the most successful celebrity collaborations Mattel ever pulled off. It captures a specific moment in time—the transition from the classic movie star era to the modern celebrity brand. Whether you want it for the "diamonds," the violet eyes, or just as a tribute to an icon, it's a piece of pop culture history that actually holds its own.
To make sure your investment stays valuable, always store these dolls in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight. UV rays are the absolute enemy of Silkstone vinyl and will cause the white gowns to yellow over time. If you’re buying to display, consider a UV-protected acrylic case to keep that "Hollywood" glow intact for the next twenty years.