The Industry Standard · Est. 2026

The GIA
for hand-knotted rugs

The first standardized system for grading, authenticating, and valuing fine rugs. Used by appraisers, insurance carriers, estate attorneys, and collectors.

Book Appraisal

Grading pillars

4×

Value contexts

±20%

Accuracy range

The Problem

The rug market runs on
information asymmetry.

No universal pricing standard. No verifiable credentials. No published sold-price database. The RUG Index fixes all three.

No pricing benchmark

Three appraisers on the same rug routinely produce valuations that differ by 200–400%. Buyers, sellers, and insurers have no objective reference.

No credential verification

Anyone can call themselves a rug appraiser. No licensing body, no code of ethics, no standard methodology. Fraud is rampant at the point of insurance claim.

No sold-price database

Unlike jewelry (Rapaport) or art (Artnet), the rug market has no published transaction database. Buyers pay what dealers ask — and dealers know it.

What We Do

Three paths to certified value

Whether you're selling, insuring, or investing in a fine rug — the RUG Index gives you the number you can stand behind.

🏷️

Certified Marketplace

Every listing on the RUG Index marketplace carries a certified grade and documented value. Buyers know what they're paying for. Sellers get fair market price.

No fee to list · 20–25% success fee on sale

Learn about consignment →

📋

Certified Appraisal Reports

PDF appraisal reports issued by RICA-certified appraisers. Accepted by insurance carriers, estate courts, and financial institutions. Turnaround in 1–3 days.

From $75 · Insurance · Estate · Donation

Request an appraisal →

🎓

RICA Appraiser Certification

The only credential that qualifies appraisers to issue RUG Index certified reports. USPAP-compliant training, examination, and annual renewal.

$595 initial · $195 annual renewal

Learn about RICA →

The Standard

Five pillars. One certified number.

The RUG Index grading formula is transparent, reproducible, and peer-reviewed. Every appraisal uses the same five factors.

Origin & Region

Persian workshop cities command the highest multipliers. Origin verified by weave structure, dye chemistry, and design vocabulary.

0.8× – 3.2×

Material Quality

Silk, hand-spun wool, and machine-spun synthetics carry different multipliers based on fiber analysis and pile behavior.

0.4× – 2.5×

Age & Provenance

Antiques (100+ years) carry a 2.8× multiplier. Documented provenance adds measurable premium over undocumented pieces.

1.0× – 2.8×

Condition Grade

Five-point scale from Excellent (1.0×) to Poor (0.35×). Pile height, structural integrity, repairs, and dye stability all assessed.

0.35× – 1.0×

Knot Density

KPSI determines fineness and labor investment. Ultra-fine silk (500+ KPSI) at 3.0×. Tribal weaves (<40 KPSI) at 0.6×.

0.6× – 3.0×

Who We Serve

Built for every corner
of the rug industry

Collectors & Rug Owners

Finally know what your rug is actually worth — not what a dealer says it's worth. Get a certified appraisal, list it on our marketplace, or consign it for the best price.

Free five-pillar valuation estimate

Certified appraisal from $75

Self-listing on certified marketplace

Consignment at 20–25% success fee

Get a free valuation →

Insurance Carriers

The first standardized pricing reference built specifically for underwriters. Eliminate fraudulent appraisals. Set accurate coverage limits. Resolve claims with objective documentation.

Certified pricing benchmark for underwriting

RICA-verified appraiser network

Sold-price database for adjusters

API integration for claims systems

Carrier information →

Estate Attorneys & Executors

Court-admissible appraisals for probate, estate tax, equitable distribution, and charitable donation. USPAP-compliant reports signed by certified appraisers.

IRS Form 8283-compliant reports

Expert witness availability

Bulk estate pricing

48-hour turnaround available

Estate services →

Dealers & Galleries

Access the certified inventory database via REST API. Query by type, origin, condition, and price. Use market comparables to price confidently and negotiate with documentation.

100 free API calls per month

Filter by type, origin, price

Historical sold-price access (Pro)

Dealer portal with usage dashboard

Dealer data API →

The Process

From rug to certified value in four steps

Whether you want a free estimate or a court-ready appraisal, the process is the same.

STEP 01

Describe Your Rug

Enter origin, dimensions, material, age, and condition into our valuation tool. Takes about 2 minutes. No account required.

STEP 02

Get an Instant Estimate

The five-pillar formula runs instantly — showing your resale, insurance, retail, and auction values with a ±20% confidence range.

STEP 03

Order a Certified Report

If you need a binding report for insurance, estate, or legal use — a RICA-certified appraiser conducts a physical inspection and issues a signed PDF.

STEP 04

List, Insure, or Settle

Use your certified report to list on our marketplace, update your insurance rider, or satisfy a probate or legal requirement.

What People Say

Trusted by the people who
know rugs best

"For the first time in my 25 years of practice, I have a defensible number I can put in front of a court. The RUG Index report held up in a contested estate proceeding without any challenge."

Margaret Chen

Estate Attorney, Chicago, IL

"We'd been getting wildly inconsistent appraisals on fine rug claims for years. The RUG Index gives our adjusters an objective reference and we've already seen a measurable reduction in fraudulent claims."

James Holloway

VP Claims, Regional Insurance Carrier

"I've been appraising rugs for 18 years and the RICA standard is the first methodology I've seen that I'd stake my professional reputation on. Rigorous, transparent, and finally something I can teach my students."

Dr. Amir Farhadi, RICA #0042

Certified Appraiser, New York, NY

The GIAfor hand-knotted rugs

The rug market runs oninformation asymmetry.