Jem came onto the scene in 1985, in the form of a 15 min Cartoon segments.. In 1986, the dolls hit shelves, and were a success compared to the competition, Barbie and the Rockers, but not a success in Hasbro's eyes. As a result, Barbie reigned supreme. Jem's last year was 1987. Because of her we have a time capsule of the 1980's fashion extremes, and we can all enjoy her today. This guide is meant for the newbie collector who is unsure of what they are buying, and for seller unsure of what they are selling.

This guide is broken in to sections

Section 1- Who is she anyway?-Is my doll a Jem doll?

Section 2- She Makes an Impression-A breakdown of  each doll's Hair color and Hairstyle

Section 3- Everyone Wears a Mask- The basic color scheme of each doll's Make-up

Section 4- Designing Woman- The fashions and accessories that came with the doll

Section 1: Who is She?

Glamour, Glitter Fashion and Fame and truly outrageous, Those were her taglines. And that she was. She burst onto the scene in the mid 1980's when Mtv was still  in its infancy. Hasbro wanted a "Rocker" doll to capitalize on Mtv's popularity with a younger crowd, and so Jem was born. She started off as a cartoon show in 1985. The doll line soon followed, by Christmas 1986 little girls ( and some boys) were unwrapping Jem under thier trees. However, Barbie had to compete with this, and so Barbie and the Rockers were born. Jem disappeared from shelves by 1988. Inevitably Barbie won out. But jem will always hold a special place in the hearts of the people that grew up with her

How do you know you have a Jem Doll?

1. Look for the trademark, this is usually found on the dolls back somewhere, if it says Hasbro 1985 or 1986 then odds are you do.

2. Look at the size of the doll: Most Jem Dolls are noticeably bigger than Barbie. Jem is approx 12.5" in height (compared to Barbie's 11.5 ") and is more realistically proportioned. Rio is 13" tall. Harder to identify are the "Starlight girls" the look the most un-Jemlike, identifiable by the Hasbro 1986 trade mark, they are shorter than Barbie but taller than 80's Skipper

3 Jem dolls feet are bigger than Barbie's they are actually closer to Ken's size

4. Hair Color: Jem dolls were known for the outrageous colors of the dolls hair, only 1 doll had "normal".

5.. The Jem doll herself had a switch on 3 of the releases that when flipped would cause her earrings to flash.

6. "Jem" dolls are far more articulate than Barbie, her arms bend, knees bend, wrist bend, pivot waist and can almost do lateral splits

Section 2- She Makes an Impression-A breakdown of  each doll's Hair color and Hairstyle

Original Jem/Jerrica - Blonde & Pink (the Pink Varies in hue from vary vibrant to light pink, however no pink in the hair is not that uncommon because the pink can fade due tro exposure to light). Hair is in  rocker mullet(it was the 1980's) Spiky on top, long all over. Pink and blonde are seperate, with pink on top of the blonde

Flash N Sizzle Jem/Jerrica- Blonde & Pink. Again Pink can vary, not in the mullet hairstyle, again Pink and blonde are seperate, with pink on top of the blonde

Glitter 'n Gold Jem/Jerrica- Blonde & Pink with gold tinsel mixed in. Again Pink will lay on top of blonde.

Rock n Curl Jem- Despite the name this dolls hair was never able to be styled. Longest hair of all the Jem dolls. Blonde and Pink, and curly, when found loose the hair is typically a frizzy mess from play.

Kimber (1st & 2nd Ed)-Dark red pink ( can vary depending on the amount of pink blended into Hair). Hair is always cut Asymmetrically

Aja (1st & 2nd Ed) Light Turquoise blue with a bi-level cut

Shana (1st & 2nd Ed)- Light purple real close to lavender hair. Hair is usually in small ringlets of some sort depending on the amount of play. A doll fresh out of the box will have it up in her hairbow with nice  curls ( the tightness can vary)

Raya( Release only 2nd year)- Pink with yellow blonde mixed in , typically found with big loose curls hair tends) to brush to one side ( usually to the right side of the doll's head)

Video(2nd year only)-Yellow blonde hair. Straight out of the box doll hair is up in high pony tail with curls. Loose dolls usually have the curls brushed out.

Danse(2nd Year only)- multicolor hair, Pink, Turquoise, Tangerine on straight hair with super big bangs

Rio(1st ed, and Glitter 'n Gold)  Varies from Vibrant purple to dark (almost black) purple

Synergy( 2nd year only) Purple with purple tinsel mixed in.

Pizzazz (1st & 2nd Ed) Neon yellow/green hair in Rocker mullet

Roxy( 1st  & 2nd Ed) White in Rocker Mullet

Stormer (1st & 2nd Ed)  Blue hair usually found in ringlets(can be found with her orange "flower"  ) ( tightness varies)

Clash(2nd year only) Purple with pink blended in rocker mullet

Jetta (2nd year only) Black with Silver tinsel in rocker mullet.

Banee(2nd year only)- Straight black hair

Krissie(2nd year only)- Curly Brown hair

Ashley(2nd year only)- Long wavey blonde hair

Section 3- Everyone Wears a Mask- The basic color scheme of each doll's Make-up

1st Ed Jem -Light pink, lighter Pink eyeshadow that extends below the eyes light blue on lids, and light blue eyebrows closed smile

Glitter n Gold Jem -goldish brown eyeshadow with light yellow eyebrows pearlescent lips open mouth smile

Flash n Sizzle Jem  -Light purple eyeshadow around eye, darker purple over lids, pink lips open mouthed smile.

Rock n Curl Jem-Pink and blue eyeshadow brown eyebrows, pink lips open mouthed smile

Kimber(1st & 2nd Ed)- light pink and darker pink eyeshadow ( 1st ed can vary from very dar to light, the dark making Kimber look "angry")  with light blue beauty mark uner the doll's right eye. 2nd Ed typically have the light version of the makeup scheme

Aja (1st & 2nd Ed)-Mostly pink (varies from pink to white) surrounding the eye. Blue squiggle under right eye blue star under the left one. pink lips open mouth smile.

Shana (1st & 2nd Ed-Lavendar eyeshadow that extends below the eyes dark magenta lips closed mouth smile

Video- Various shades of purple eyeshadow, very light purple lips, closed mouth smile

Danse- Pink yellow and orange eyeshadow, with salmon lips open mouth smile

Raya-Pink and blue eyeshadow light pink lips, open mouth smile

Synergy- EASIEST DOLL TO SPOT SHE'S PURPLE  ALL OVER not going to go into her makeup details. ie: if you have a doll with purple skin odds are its her, use the previous guidelines to be sure.

Rio- This is a boy doll so he won't have "make-up" has purple eyebrows and peachy lips ( lips can vary from dark to light)

Pizzazz-Purple, lavendar and white eyeshadow. Pizzazz also does not have eyebrows, peachy lips yellowish blush open mouth smile

Roxy-Orange eyeshadow over the dolls right eye.. Green flame with purple outline over dolls left eye. She has 3 yellow stripes  on her check under her right eye. closed mouth smile.

Stormer-Yellow and Orange eyeshadow with blue eyebrows has a beauty mark on her right Cheek closed mouth smile.

Jetta- A white ziz zag across her eyes, pink lips open mouth smile.

Section 4- Designing Woman- The fashions and accessories that came with the doll

*The cassettes that came with each doll was unique to that doll, and would have that doll's name on the tape.

Original Jem/Jerrica- This doll has flashing earrings they can either be round bulbs or star-shaped-2 Fashions, Jem fashion was a pink lamé mini dress with 3/4 sleeves. Jerrica Fashion aqua striped "dress" (looks more like a night shirt). A pair of  white sparkle tights.  2 pairs of shoes,  1 pair of aqua for Jerrica fashion, chrome magenta for Jem Fashion. Reversible belt with tassles, onside white, one side silver with blue sticker on it. Transparent pink doll stand, comb, pretend microphone, blue sunglasses, bracelet with pink stone and beret that matches Jerrica Fashion. Also came with a Jem poster and Instruction sheet. NO CASSETTE CAME WITH THIS DOLL

Glitter N' Gold Jem/Jerrica- This doll has flashing star-shaped earrings-Faux fur wrap trimmed with gold lamé, gold lamé wrap skirt with bow. Velveteen white skirt, sheer tights with gold thread woven into them in a ziz zag pattern. White bodice trimmed at neck with gold material and faux pearls overlayed with floral lace that has gold thread woven into it. Hairbow ( made of the same lace that overlays the bodice).White Gold scalloped edge pumps ( note these are not silver,  and not quite yellow gold). White Sandals. Gold sunglasses, Gold microphone, Doll stand  clear with gold glitter mixed in. Cardboard record album. 2 ziz zag gold braclets, Cassette Tape , comb, poster instruction sheet.

Flash N' Sizzle Jem/Jerrica- This doll has flashing star-shaped earrings-2 Fashions, Jem Fashion, Halter dress with Jagged skirt, bodice that is a dark pink with glitter lace ruffle at the the top, and two straps the tie behind dolls neck, skirt is turquoise  with a glitter lace overlay(that matches ruffle on bodice), Jerrica Fashion Yellow hoodie with raspberry paint splotches all over it, comes down to dolls knees. Sheer tights with silver threads woven into them in a zig zag pattern. Flourescent Yellow scalloped edge pumps, raspberyy color boots, yellow bracelet with silver stone, Hair tie made out of same lace as the overlay on skirt and ruffle on bodice, comb, microphone, opaque pink doll stand, Cassette, poster and instruction sheet.

Rock N' Curl Jem- This doll does not have flashing earrings- Jem fashion only. One shoulder mini dress. Dress is purple with silver dots, and has silver lamé skirt, Pink bow on left shoulder and on right hip. Pink Hair Tie (matches bows on dress), Purple Hair tie, Hot pink tights with silver threading woven into them in a zig zag pattern. Hot Pink scalloped edge shoes. Hot Pink  Zig Zag Braclets , hot pink hoop earrings, comb, microphone, poster. NO CASSETTE CAME WITH THIS DOLL

and the work continues....

*This guide is meant as a  reference for collectors, and is in no way affiliated with Hasbro Inc. Mattle Inc. or their affiliates. Jem, and Jem and the Holograms are registered trademarks of Hasbro Inc. Barbie and Ken are  registered trademarks of Mattel Inc.