Some of these super expensive skins don’t even look that cool. I saw a case-hardened that looked rusty but it was priced higher than flashy ones. What actually makes a skin rare?

It’s all about pattern and supply. Some patterns are very limited or have specific looks that collectors want. Doesn’t always matter if it looks good, as long as it fits a niche people are hunting for.

Exactly, rarity isn’t always about visual appeal. I found https://dmarket.com/cs2-wiki/ while researching why certain case-hardened skins were priced so high. It explained how specific patterns, like blue gems, are highly valued by collectors. The wiki gave real examples of what to look for and how pattern ID changes everything. I use it all the time when checking prices now.