Doppler Knives Explained: Phases, Rubies, Sapphires and Black Pearls

Doppler knives use a metallic, candy-coloured finish. The same knife in the same wear can come out in distinct colours, and buyers pay very different prices for them.

The finish splits into phases and gems.

• ▸Phase 1 leans dark, with black and pink tones
• ▸Phase 2 shows the most pink and purple, and often sells above the other phases
• ▸Phase 3 shows more green and blue
• ▸Phase 4 shows the most blue

Within each phase, individual copies still vary, so some Phase 2 knives look richer than others.

A small share of Doppler knives come out as a single dominant colour. Traders call these gems.

• ▸Ruby is red across almost the whole blade
• ▸Sapphire is blue across almost the whole blade
• ▸Black Pearl is dark with blue and purple tones

Gamma Doppler knives follow a similar system, with their own four phases and a green gem called Emerald.

Steam's market name for a Doppler knife stops at the finish and wear. A Ruby, a Sapphire and a Phase 3 of the same knife in Factory New all share one name. The phase and gem live inside the individual item, not in the name.

A marketplace that shows one price per name will show the cheapest listing under that name. For a Doppler knife, that listing is almost always one of the less sought-after phases. If you order at that price, expect that phase.

1. 1
   Decide which phase or gem you want before you look at prices
2. 2
   Check the individual listing, which should state the phase
3. 3
   Inspect the item in game to confirm the colour
4. 4
   Compare prices against other listings of the same phase, not against the name as a whole

If you do not mind which phase you get, the cheapest listing gives you a genuine Doppler at the lowest price. If you want a particular phase, buy from a listing that names it.