Blue Gem Karambit: The $1.5 Million Case Hardened Knife

In the vibrant and often high-stakes world of CS2 skin trading, few items have captured the imagination of players and collectors like the Karambit Case Hardened Blue Gem - specifically, the legendary pattern #387. This isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade for your in-game loadout; it’s a piece of digital history, often called the “holy grail” of Counter-Strike skins. The Blue Gem Karambit is widely recognized as the most valuable karambit and stands as one of the most expensive skins in CS2 history.

With an estimated market value hovering between $1.5 million and $2 million, this single virtual knife has sparked debates, inspired countless YouTube breakdowns, and even led to jaw-dropping offers from wealthy collectors. The unique case hardened karambit features of the #The 387 pattern, with its striking blue and gold coloration, make it stand out among all case hardened blue gems. In September 2021, an offer of 1.2 million euros for the knife made headlines across the gaming world - and was refused by its owner, cementing the item’s mythical status. The knife is currently owned by a Chinese collector.

What Makes the Blue Gem Karambit So Special?

When it comes to CS2 knives, rarity is more than just a marketing buzzword - it’s a combination of pattern ID, float value, and visual appeal. The Karambit Case Hardened Blue Gem checks every box, making it not only the most sought-after Karambit, but also one of the rarest and most valuable karambit knives available, highly prized by collectors and traders.

The unique pattern of the Blue Gem, combined with its limited availability, sets it apart from other case hardened skins. The blue gem rarity and the case hardened skin’s distinctive appearance both contribute significantly to its high value and desirability.

This makes the Blue Gem Karambit a true status symbol and a standout among all karambit knives in the CS2 skin market.

The Legendary #387 Pattern

The Blue Gem nickname refers to Case Hardened skins with a pattern that produces a deep, vibrant blue finish on the play side of the blade. Out of thousands of possible Case Hardened patterns, #387 is in a league of its own: it boasts nearly 100% blue coverage, with no distracting gold or purple spots. Blue gem seed patterns like #387 are highly sought after due to their specific pattern and predominantly blue appearance on the visible side. It’s a visual perfection that serious collectors obsess over - and one that players instantly recognize.

What makes #387 even rarer is that there’s only one known Factory New version with this much blue coverage, and it’s in the hands of a collector who has no interest in selling. The #387 is considered entirely blue on the visible side of the blade, making it unique among other patterns. That combination of uniqueness and unavailability is a big reason the market values it so highly - the blue on the visible side is what truly sets this specific pattern apart from others.

Float Value and Its Impact on Price

The float value measures the wear on a skin, from 0.00 (Factory New) to 1.00 (Battle-Scarred). The wear condition, as determined by the float value, is a key factor in a skin’s desirability and market price, with Factory New being the most valuable wear state. For a knife as rare as #387, a low float pushes the price into the stratosphere. The known #387 Blue Gem has a float of 0.048, meaning it’s virtually flawless.

In skin trading, this matters because the smallest difference in float can mean a price difference of thousands - or in this case, hundreds of thousands - of dollars. For a one-of-a-kind knife, every fraction counts.

The History Behind the $1.5 Million Valuation

The Blue Gem Karambit didn’t reach legendary status overnight. Its rise to the top of the CS2 market was a mix of rarity, timing, and community hype that turned an already valuable skin into an item worth more than most real-world sports cars. The #387 Blue Gem Karambit is widely regarded as the most expensive skin in CS2 history, known for its extreme rarity, unique pattern, and status as an expensive skin that few collectors will ever own. As other Blue Gem patterns move down the rankings, their value decreases compared to the #387, which stands out not just as an expensive skin, but as a true cultural icon.

The 1.2 Million Euro Offer That Shocked the CS Community

In September 2021, the CS:GO (now CS2) trading scene exploded with news: a 1.2 million euro offer - equivalent to roughly $1.4 million at the time - had been made for the #387 Karambit Blue Gem. The source of this offer was reportedly a well-known high-stakes trader, and the information came to light through ohnePixel, one of the most trusted middlemen in the community. The date is a karambit milestone in the skin’s history, marking a turning point for the Blue Gem reputation as a collector’s item.

What made the story even more incredible? The owner refused. This wasn’t just a casual “no thanks” - it was a clear statement that the knife was not for sale at any price. The blue gem exclusivity is reinforced by the owner’s refusal to sell. That single decision pushed the Blue Gem status into myth territory, sparking heated debates about how much a virtual knife could really be worth.

Who Owns the World’s Rarest Karambit?

The current known owner is a Chinese collector known in the community as 青い王 (“Aoi King”) or Newb Rage. He’s renowned for holding some of the rarest and most expensive skins in existence, and his portfolio includes several top-tier Case Hardened patterns.

By all accounts, this collector purchased the #387 years ago for a fraction of its current estimated value - with some community sources suggesting it was acquired for around $100,000. Since then, it’s been displayed in countless showcase videos, but never even hinted at being up for sale. Even if another collector were to obtain the same skin pattern, the value and rarity of this knife would remain unmatched, highlighting the exclusivity and desirability of owning the same skin.

2016–2017: Early Market Recognition of #387

The #The 387 pattern began appearing in trading discussions and skin forums as a standout among Case Hardened Karambits. Even without the high-profile sales, traders recognized its near-full-blue coverage as something special. At the time, estimated values hovered in the tens of thousands of dollars, already placing it in elite territory.

September 2021: The Public 1.2 Million Euro Offer

This was the game-changer. News broke - via trusted middleman and content creator ohnePixel - that an offer of €1.2 million (≈$1.4M USD) had been made for the #387 Blue Gem Karambit. The owner’s flat refusal to sell created shockwaves across social media, Reddit, and YouTube. Overnight, the knife went from “expensive” to practically priceless.

2022–2023: Record Sales for Other Blue Gems

While the #387 remained in the hands of its owner, and other high-tier Blue Gems started hitting the market for staggering sums. Tier 1 Karambit Blue patterns are also highly sought after, though not as rare or valuable as the Karambit Blue Gem 387, which is considered the pinnacle due to its unique pattern and blue gem rarity. In mid-2023, a “noob blue gem” (a lower-tier but still visually striking Karambit) sold for $169,000, setting a record for any Blue Gem sale outside of the #387. These sales reinforced the perceived market ceiling for top-tier patterns.

2024–2025: The Current Valuation Era

Today, the #387 is consistently valued between $1.5 million and $2 million+ depending on who you ask. Some marketplaces and collectors lean toward the higher end, citing its unmatched uniqueness and market demand. Meanwhile, conservative estimates from cautious analysts still put it far beyond any confirmed sale in CS2 history.

Rarity and Blue Gem Pattern Tiers

Not all Case Hardened Karambits are created equal. While “Blue Gem” is a term thrown around loosely, the reality is that only a fraction of case hardened karambit skins feature the rare hardened blue gem patterns. Only a small percentage of Case Hardened patterns have enough blue coverage to be considered truly rare - these are known as blue gem patterns - and only one pattern sits at the absolute top. Among the lower tiers, some patterns are predominantly gold and are referred to as gold gem variations.

Tier 0: The One-of-a-Kind #387

This is the crown jewel - a single, documented Karambit Case Hardened with near 100% blue coverage on the play side, paired with a Factory New float of 0.048. Its unmatched combination of aesthetics, rarity, and condition makes it the only pattern in Tier 0. The karambit blue gem 387 is the only known example with nearly 100% blue coverage, making it the most sought-after blue gem seed pattern and highly valued among collectors.

• Pattern ID: 387
• Estimated Value: $1.5M – $2M+
• Known Quantity: 1
• Market Status: Not for sale

Full List of Known Pattern Seeds

These tiers are community-agreed classifications based on visual appeal, pattern ID rarity, and market sales data. While Tier 0 is uncontested, debates over which patterns belong in Tier 1–2 are common, and prices can shift depending on market hype and collector interest.

Notable Sales and Comparisons

The Karambit Case Hardened #387 may be the undisputed king of CS2 skins, but the broader market has seen its share of jaw-dropping transactions. The Blue Gem Karambit is among the rarest skins in CS2 and is considered blue gems by the community due to its high amount of blue coloration, making it extremely valuable and highly sought after. These sales not only highlight the appetite for rare Blue Gems but also give context to just how far ahead #387 really is.

Confirmed Deals for Other Karambit Blue Gems

While the #387 has never been sold, several high-tier Blue Gems have changed hands for incredible amounts:

• July 2023 – “Noob Blue Gem” Sale: A Tier 2 Karambit with a float of 0.29, nicknamed the “noob blue gem” due to its less-than-perfect condition, sold for $169,000. Even though it lacked the flawless coverage of #387, the sale was a record for any Blue Gem outside Tier 0.
• Multiple Tier 1 Sales (2018–2022): Karambits with patterns like #442 and #70 have been reported to sell in the $120k–$160k range depending on float and buyer demand.
• Tier 2 Transactions: Commonly trade between $50k–$100k, often snapped up by collectors looking for a “budget” entry into the Blue Gem world.

These numbers show that even lower tiers hold serious market value - but #387’s rarity keeps it in a completely different league.

How This Knife Compares to Other Expensive CS2 Skins

The #387 Blue Gem doesn’t just dominate Karambits - it overshadows the entire CS2 economy:

• AWP Dragon Lore Souvenir (FN): Known for its legendary esports drop history, it can reach $400,000 in value.
• AK-47 Case Hardened #661 Blue Gem: Often called the “crown jewel” of AK skins, valued around $500,000 in Factory New condition.
• M4A4 Howl (Contraband, FN): Extremely rare due to removal from loot pools, worth $20,000–$30,000.

Even the most valuable alternatives fall hundreds of thousands short of #387’s estimated value, and none have the same one-of-a-kind status.

The Odds of Unboxing a Blue Gem Karambit

Every CS2 player has dreamed of opening a case and finding a life-changing drop. For the Karambit Case Hardened Blue Gem - especially the #387 pattern - that dream is about as close to impossible as it gets.

Which Case Contains It

The Karambit Case Hardened can only be unboxed from the original CS:GO Weapon Case, which was first released in August 2013. This case was part of the earliest drop pool and has been discontinued for years, meaning every unopened case in circulation is owned by players, traders, or collectors - and most are already opened.

Drop Rates and Statistical Chances

The rarity of the #387 Blue Gem isn’t just about the knife; it’s about three layers of probability stacked together:

1. Knife Drop Chance: Around 0.26% per case (about 1 in 385 cases).
2. Specific Knife Type (Karambit): Only a fraction of those knife drops will be Karambits - roughly 1 in 5, depending on the knife pool at the time.
3. Perfect Pattern & Float: Out of thousands of Case Hardened patterns, only #387 is Tier 0, and pairing it with a Factory New float is statistically near impossible. Estimated chance: less than 0.001%.

In other words, if you opened tens of thousands of cases, you might never see one.

Why Collectors Pay Millions for Digital Items

To outsiders, spending millions on a digital knife might seem absurd. But in the world of high-end CS2 skin trading, these purchases follow the same logic as fine art collecting, rare car auctions, and luxury watch investments. The value isn’t just in the item - it’s in what it represents.

Prestige and Exclusivity in the CS2 Market

Owning the #387 Blue Gem Karambit is the ultimate flex. There’s only one known Factory New example, and it’s instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with rare skins. In high-level matches, just equipping this knife sends a message: you’re at the top of the hierarchy.

In the same way that a rare Rolex or a Ferrari LaFerrari commands attention, the #387 is a statement piece - one that exists in a public, competitive space where millions can see it in action through streams, esports events, and social media clips.

Investment Potential of Rare Skins

The CS2 skin economy has matured into a billion-dollar ecosystem, with top-tier items appreciating significantly over time. Limited supply and high demand are the perfect conditions for long-term value growth.

The #387 Blue Gem is especially resilient to market fluctuations because:

• It’s a one-of-a-kind item in Tier 0.
• The owner isn’t actively selling, further restricting supply.
• It benefits from ongoing game popularity and a stable trading infrastructure.

For investors with deep pockets, this kind of digital scarcity can be as appealing - and as lucrative - as owning a Van Gogh or a rare vintage wine.