On this page ▾
- What is the pattern index?
- Which skins are pattern-sensitive?
- Blue gems: the extreme case
- Tier system
- Scale of the price gap
- Why float still matters
- How to check a pattern in five steps
- Scam alert
- Learning curve: how to get started cheaply
- Is hunting patterns a good idea?
- Chasing a blue gem by gambling
- Taxes and legal notes for Canadians
- The pattern index (paint seed) is a number from 0 to 1000 that fixes how a skin's pattern is laid out.
- Blue gems are Case Hardened skins whose seed gives heavy blue coverage and sell at enormous premiums.
- Two skins with identical float can differ in price by orders of magnitude.
- Always verify the seed via inspect data and a trusted database.
Not all CS2 skins are mass-produced equal. For some finishes, a single number on the item decides whether it sells for CA$80 or CA$80,000. That number is the pattern index, and this explainer starts with the idea and finishes with practical purchasing advice.
What is the pattern index?
Every skin carries a paint seed. For most skins the seed only shifts a texture slightly, so nobody cares. For pattern-based finishes, though, it controls where blue, gold, red or other elements sit on the surface. There are 1,001 possible seeds (0 to 1000), and each maps to a fixed layout. You cannot alter it after the item is created.
Which skins are pattern-sensitive?
| Finish | What the seed changes | What buyers want |
|---|---|---|
| Case Hardened | Where blue appears | Maximum blue on the visible side |
| Fade | Gradient spread | Full pink-purple fade |
| Marble Fade | Colour balance | Fire and ice (red and blue) or tricolour |
| Crimson Web | Web position | Centred, symmetrical web |
| Slaughter | Swirl layout | Even, bold pattern |
Fade has its own piece: fade percentage explained. This guide focuses on Case Hardened because the blue gem phenomenon is the most extreme example.
Blue gems: the extreme case
Case Hardened normally shows a mix of blue, purple and grey-brown in uneven patches. A seed that spreads blue across most of the playside is called a blue gem. Because blue gems are so rare, buyers pay many multiples of standard prices. Seed 661 on the AK-47 is widely cited as the top example, and for the Karambit certain seeds such as 387 are famously sought after. Exact rankings are debated within the community and valuations shift, so treat names as starting points for research, not guarantees.
Tier system
Collectors usually talk about tiers, with Tier 1 being the best seeds and lower tiers having progressively less blue. Terminology varies, but the ladder generally looks like this.
| Tier | Description | Relative price |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Near-total blue coverage on the playside | Very high to extreme |
| Tier 2 | Majority blue with some purple | High |
| Tier 3 | Noticeable blue; mixed | Moderate premium |
| Standard | Little blue, mostly gold/purple/brown | Baseline |
Scale of the price gap
To show scale, consider an AK-47 Case Hardened. A standard-seed copy in a mid wear level might sell for roughly CA$80 to CA$200. A top-tier blue gem in the same wear can sell for tens of thousands of dollars or more, and the very best have traded in the six-figure range. These are broad indications only; the market is thin and each sale is negotiated.
Why float still matters
Even a perfect seed is worth less if it is badly worn, because wear can mask the blue. Lower float tends to add a premium, particularly for top seeds. Use our float calculator and explore float and wear and low float skins for more depth.
How to check a pattern in five steps
- Obtain the inspect link or item details.
- Read the paint seed number.
- Look it up in a respected community database for tier and sample images.
- Compare with recent sale prices for the same seed and similar float.
- Insist on live inspect screenshots from several angles if buying peer to peer.
Tip: never rely on a typed seed number from a seller. Check it from the item data yourself.
Scam alert
Learning curve: how to get started cheaply
If you want to understand pattern markets without risking much, spend an evening browsing completed sales for a handful of seeds and see how the price changes with seed and float. Track a few seeds on a spreadsheet for a month. You will quickly notice how thin the high end is: some seeds go weeks between sales, so a quoted price is often more guess than fact.
That illiquidity cuts both ways. A genuinely good find can be bought below its eventual value, but selling a high-end item at the price you want may take patience. Plan on a long holding period, and do not borrow or use money you might need.
Blue gems attract fraud. Common tricks include fake inspect screenshots, look-alike items swapped at the last moment and middleman impersonators. Use reputable platforms, never pay outside the site, and read how to avoid scams. Remember trade protection may delay or complicate transfers.
Is hunting patterns a good idea?
Pattern hunting can pay off for people who research heavily, but it is a specialist niche. The market is illiquid, valuations are subjective and fees apply. If you are curious but cautious, start with cheaper pattern skins, such as lower-priced Case Hardened or Fade items, and learn the tiers there. Our investment guide sets out the risks in detail. Browse AK-47 skins and knives for context.
Chasing a blue gem by gambling
Some players hope to hit one through case openings or upgrader modes. Mathematically it is a tiny probability event, and the house edge applies every time. Use the skin upgrader simulator to see how rarely top upgrades land. If you simply want to try something, a Free Case at CSGOEmpire (code case2go) costs nothing.
Taxes and legal notes for Canadians
High-value sales may attract CRA attention as capital gains or business income. Keep dated records in CA$ and consult a tax professional; see our tax guide. Offshore gambling sites are not licensed in Ontario. This article is not financial, tax or legal advice.
You must be 19+ (18+ in Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec) to gamble. If you need support, ConnexOntario is at 1-866-531-2600, and provincial helplines and self-exclusion tools are available.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pattern index?
A number, also called paint seed, from 0 to 1000 that determines how a pattern is laid out on a skin.
What is a blue gem?
A Case Hardened skin whose seed places a large amount of blue across the visible surface, making it far more valuable than a typical one.
Is seed 661 the best AK-47 pattern?
It is widely regarded as the top Case Hardened AK-47 seed, though opinions and prices differ with float and condition.
Does pattern matter on all skins?
No. It matters most on pattern-based finishes like Case Hardened, Fade, Crimson Web and Marble Fade.
Can I check a pattern for free?
Yes, with the inspect link and community databases that map seeds to appearance and tier.
Play responsibly: CS2 gambling is for adults 19+ (18+ in AB, MB, QC). Set limits, never chase losses, and use self-exclusion if it stops being fun. Free, confidential help: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 or your provincial helpline — see our responsible gambling page.
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