Talk to a certified appraiser: (847) 505-2175 · Mon–Fri 8am–6:30pm CT
Our Story

Building the infrastructure
the rug industry never had

The RUG Index is the first standardized system for grading, authenticating, and valuing hand-knotted rugs — built for the professionals who deserve better tools.

Mission

Why we built The RUG Index

The fine rug industry has been operating without a universal standard for over a century. Appraisers use personal judgment. Insurance companies lack pricing benchmarks. Estate attorneys have no reliable reference. Buyers pay what dealers ask.

We built The RUG Index to change that. Starting with a rigorous five-pillar grading formula — origin, material, age, condition, and knot density — we created the first certified valuation system the industry can rally around.

Our goal is simple: make the rug industry as transparent and trustworthy as the diamond or wine industry. Every rug deserves a fair, documented, defensible value.

5
Grading pillars
4
Value contexts
±20%
Valuation accuracy
$75
Starting appraisal
1
Industry standard
24h
Report turnaround
The Standard

Five pillars. One certified value.

Every RUG Index appraisal is built on the same five-factor formula.

01
Origin & Region
Where a rug was made is the single strongest predictor of value. Persian workshop rugs command the highest multiples. We apply verified origin multipliers from 0.8× to 3.2×.
02
Material Quality
Pure silk, wool-silk combinations, and hand-spun wool command different multiples. Material is verified by fiber analysis, sheen, and pile behavior.
03
Age & Provenance
Antique rugs (100+ years) carry a 2.8× age multiplier. Semi-antiques 2.0×. Documented provenance adds measurable premium over undocumented pieces.
04
Condition Grade
The most variable factor. Ranges from 1.0× (Excellent, full pile) to 0.35× (Poor, major damage). Pile height, structural integrity, and repair history are all scored.
05
Knot Density
Knots per square inch (KPSI) determines the fineness and labor investment. Ultra-fine silk (800+ KPSI) carries a 3.0× multiplier vs. coarser tribal weaves at 0.6×.
×
The Formula
sqft × origin × material × age × condition × kpsi = resale midpoint ±20%
The Team

Built by people who know rugs

Founder & CEO
Third-generation rug dealer with over 20 years in the fine rug industry. Founded Ahmadi Rug Gallery in Chicago. Recognized the need for standardization after years of inconsistent appraisals across the industry.
Advisory Board
Industry Experts
Our advisory board includes USPAP-certified appraisers, estate attorneys, insurance underwriters, and rug scholars with combined experience of over 100 years in the fine textile industry.
RICA Network
Certified Appraisers
The RUG Index Certified Appraiser (RICA) program trains and certifies independent appraisers to use our standard. Every RICA appraiser is verified, insured, and bound by our code of ethics.
Join the Team
We're Building
We're looking for appraisers, rug scholars, and industry professionals who want to help build the infrastructure the rug industry has always needed. Get in touch →
Timeline

How we got here

From a single appraisal problem to an industry standard.

2022
The Problem Identified
After receiving three wildly different appraisals on the same rug from three different appraisers, we began documenting the inconsistency problem across the industry.
2023
The Standard Developed
Working with USPAP-certified appraisers and rug scholars, we developed the five-pillar grading formula and tested it against 200+ historical auction results.
2024
RICA Program Launched
We began training independent appraisers in the RUG Index standard, creating the first certified appraiser network in the fine rug industry.
2025
Platform Built
Launched the full digital platform: certified marketplace, PDF appraisal reports, insurance carrier integration, and the dealer data API.
2026
Industry Adoption
Working with regional insurance carriers, estate attorneys, and rug galleries to make the RUG Index standard the default reference across the industry.
Ready to be part of the standard?

Whether you're an appraiser, dealer, collector, or insurance professional — there's a place for you in the RUG Index network.

Free Valuation Grading Standard Stores Appraisal Consignment RICA Certification Insurance Estate Services B2B / Data API GuidesAbout FAQ Contact Get Started