Knives are a part of our daily lives – used for cooking, eating, hunting, fishing, or basic survival. But some knives transcend the everyday and become the extraordinary. The most extraordinary knife in the world is also the most expensive, called "The Gem of the Orient." It’s one of three legendary knives, made by a legendary man.

The man who made The Gem of the Orient was Buster Warenski, a well-known name among knife makers and collectors. He began making knives for himself in 1966, teaching himself the trade and eventually working for the now-defunct Draper Knives as a knife maker. By the early 1970s, Buster opened his own knife shop and joined the Knifemakers Guild, where he served on their Board of Directors. Over the years, Warenski honed his craft and became one of the top knife makers of his generation.

Warenski decided to make a "Legacy Series" of solid 18K gold knives, utilizing his years of experience and incredible craftsmanship. The first knife in the series was The King Tut Dagger, a historically accurate reproduction of the same weapon found buried with Tutankhamen. The dagger was so rare and valuable that even a million-dollar offer for it was refused.

The second Legacy Series knife is The Gem of the Orient, which was designed for a Japanese customer. Ten years in the making, The Gem is 28 ounces of hardened 18 karat gold, with a forest green jade handle with gold filigree overlay. This ornate work of art has 9 diamonds (5 karats total), 153 emeralds (10 karats total), and is nearly 13 inches long. It was reportedly sold for $2.1 million dollars. Recently, The Gem has become available through online knife retailer Nordic Knives, for $850,000.

The final Legacy Series knife is the 18K gold "Fire and Ice," made with 75 diamonds (7 karats total) and 22 rubies (4.25 karats total) and featuring a rutilated quartz handle. This handle looks as if it were perfectly carved from ice.

Although Buster Warenski died in 2005, his three remarkable contributions to the world of art and custom knife making have earned him the same legendary status as his proudest creations.