Yeah, I've had an issue w duplicate content (not actually on the site yet, but just personally as I've worked on plenty of other sites that were not ecommerce) and actually asking this question made me dig deeper.
I've figured out my appropriate structure and how to keep the strength I've already created.
I have variable descriptions for each product, no matter how similar - right now, but I would much prefer to give one page a HUGE staying power rather than spreading the net thin to get results and realizing later that I had way more to manage than I should just to keep the great Google happy.
I appreciate the response!