$100K Hello Kitty Sold In Japan

Japan’s Mitsukoshi Ltd said a diamond-studded doll of the popular Japanese feline character Hello Kitty has been sold for 10.5 million yen ($102,000) in its Osaka department store.

The platinum figure of Kitty in a queen's outfit, measuring 4.1 centimeters high and with 250 diamonds embedded in it, was made to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the cat brand and has been on show at eight Mitsukoshi stores across Japan since late August.

Earlier this year, Tokyo jeweler Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry made 30 three-centimeter high platinum Kittys, with her dress and hair ribbon studded with 131 diamonds, which sold for about $28,000 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Japan’s most famous cat.

The Hello Kitty industry has a turnover of $500 million a year, with buyers from all age groups in Japan and 40 other countries.