Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

Many women can remember the days when they were younger and stepped into their favorite store, Sanrio, to purchase pencils, notebooks, change purses, backpacks, and everything else that tickled their fancy. Back then, stepping through Sanrio's doors was like entering a wonderland full of expectation and enchantment. And while each girl undoubtedly had one other character that was close to her heart—Keroppi, the Little Twin Stars, Pachocco—the one that was always first on her list was the girly little feline, Hello Kitty.

Since that time, those little girls have grown up and entered adulthood. However, not one to be left behind, Hello Kitty has matured as well: Sanrio has brought her into the world of class, opulence, and excess. Hello Kitty is no longer just a brand for girls looking to deck themselves out for a day on the playground; it's for women who have money and aren't afraid to spend it. So for those Kitty lovers out there, below is a list of the most expensive, and sought-after, Hello Kitty items.

To commemorate her 33rd birthday, Sanrio has created a set of Hello Kitty playing cards; but these are not typical playing cards. This deck of 54 is made of solid gold. Each card measures 89 millimeters by 58 millimeters and contains 0.73 grams of 99.99% pure gold. "Pressed to a thickness of 7 microns with precision rolling technology developed by the Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, the cards are sealed in a protective laminate printed with colorful designs that depict Hello Kitty in royal dress."

Of course, when you're trying to modify a cat's image, one makeover won't do. In hopes of attracting the musical set, Sanrio coupled with the American music company Fender to create a limited-edition Hello Kitty guitar that retails for around $22,000. Handmade, the "black colored guitar has a sparkling face of Hello Kitty and the words 'Hello Kitty' on the finger board." Since its creation, the Hello Kitty guitar collection has also gained some celebrity fans, including cast members of the popular Disney series High School Musical.

Kimora Lee Simmons, the model and fashion mogul known for her excessive style, teamed up with Sanrio to create a collection "of youthful kitsch and all-time fashionable luxury items." The Hello Kitty Collection by Kimora Lee Simmons features several pieces of high-end jewelry, topped off by a $50,000, nine-carat Hello Kitty pendant/brooch that features 18-carat gold, diamonds, and pink sapphires. (The line also includes less expensive items ranging in price from $350 to $3,500.)

The final Kitty creation is the platinum Hello Kitty miniature. In addition to a whopping 590 grams of platinum gold, the miniature features ruby, amethyst, pink sapphire, blue topaz, and diamonds. At $163,000, this is the most expensive Hello Kitty purchase you can make. However, it isn't just for looks; the cute little feline doubles as a pendant.

Since its inception decades ago, the Sanrio and Hello Kitty names have become icons for women and girls around the world. Today, the kitten's face is stamped onto 50,000 products, with starring roles in an upcoming movie and a television series. So considering the line's success, it is safe to assume that Sanrio will continue to produce high-end products for all of the women who still have Hello Kitty in their hearts.

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Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty