Dildos.

They twist, pulsate and vibrate. They come in every color shade from black to white. They sparkle and shimmer. They’re shaped like corn cobs and dolphins.

They’re made from glass, plastic, latex and silicone.

The options seem never ending. But it all comes at a hefty price.

Susan Colvin, president of California Exotic Novelties LLC, said prices have increased over the last two years.

“The global economy, and its reliance on oil products, has driven costs up the same in my industry as everywhere else,” she said.

While sex toys often amount to costs in the hundred to thousand-dollar range, Colvin said it is up to the customer how much they want to spend, depending upon how many features they want on their toy.

The addition of features such as vibration, pulsation, escalation, remote control and high-end materials adds cost, and that cost relates to the eventual retail price, Colvin said.

And the market continues to grow as more of the population becomes more comfortable with their sexuality.

“More and more people learn about the addition to their life, whether single or in a relationship, exploration will continue and push our sales.”

Intimate Ideas, 5275 Pickard Road., sells many items. Sex swings, luv lounges, sex dolls and genital models of famous porn stars all at a price of at least $150. The mold of Jenna Jameson is more than $300.

Donna Turner, product knowledge expert for theadulttoyshoppe.com, said that life size replicas of famous people often are the most expensive.

Turner said novelty items are high-ticket items because they provide good value for the dollar.

“They are also more popular due to exposure from television shows, other media and sex therapists like Sue Johansen that suggest them,” Turner said.

With the Internet becoming more popular for shopping, the sex toy industry has seen both advantages and disadvantages.

Colvin said because customers want to test the novelties before buying them, a store is necessary.

“Internet buyers generally are familiar with the toy they like, and are more aware of what to expect when ordering,” she said.

For people who do know what they want, the Internet can be a valuable resource, Turner said.

“The Internet is always the cheapest place to buy because the overhead costs are minimal compared to a storefront,” Turner said.

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