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Guides & Resources

The RUG Index Knowledge Base

Expert guides on rug valuation, appraisal, and the five-pillar grading standard. Written for collectors, inheritors, estate professionals, and anyone trying to understand what their rug is worth.

26 guides
Appraisal
Certified Appraisals for Persian Rugs
Tabriz, Isfahan, Kashan, Qom, Heriz and all Persian origins. How the RUG Index formula values each weaving center — and why origin matters more than almost anything else.
Appraisal
Antique Rug Appraisal — What Makes a Rug Worth More with Age
Age premiums of 1.8–3.0× apply for documented antique pieces. How appraisers verify age, authenticate origin, and calculate the premium for 100+ year old rugs.
Pricing
How Much Does a Rug Appraisal Cost?
Standard appraisals from $175. What's included at each level, when you need a certified report vs. an instant estimate, and how to avoid overpaying.
Chicago
Certified Rug Appraisals in Chicago
RICA-certified appraisers serving Chicago, the North Shore, Oak Park, Evanston, Naperville, and the full metro area. Remote, photo-based — certified reports in 3–5 business days.
Education
How to Value a Hand-Knotted Rug
The complete guide to the five pillars of rug valuation — origin, material, age, condition, and knot density — and the four value contexts every rug owner should know.
Education
The Difference Between Wool, Silk, and Cotton Rugs
How pile material affects value, durability, and care requirements — and how to tell them apart without a lab test. Silk commands up to 2.2× the value of comparable wool.
Appraisal
Turkish Rug Appraisal — Oushak, Hereke, and Anatolian Origins
Turkish rugs span from village kilims to imperial Hereke silks. A guide to the major weaving traditions and how each is valued — including the reproduction Oushak problem.
Education
How to Read a Rug Appraisal Report
What every section of a certified RICA appraisal means — and which of the four values to use for insurance, estate settlement, IRS donation, or resale.
Appraisal
Online Rug Appraisal — How It Works
Upload photos, receive a RICA Certified report in 3–5 business days. When online is sufficient and when you need an in-person inspection.
Care
Rug Cleaning & Repair in Chicago
Hand-washing, stain removal, and structural repair from RICA-vetted Chicago artisans serving the city and the North Shore.
Appraisal
Indian Rug Appraisal
Agra, Jaipur, Bhadohi, Amritsar and Kashmir silk — how each Indian origin is valued.
Appraisal
Oriental Rug Appraisal
Persian, Turkish, Caucasian, Indian and Chinese — one certified standard for every origin.
Pricing
What Is My Oriental Rug Worth?
Realistic value ranges by origin and the five pillars that drive a rug's appraised value.
Local
Rug Appraisal Near Me
Why certified, online-first appraisal beats hunting for a local specialist.
Education
Why Two Appraisers Give Different Numbers
Resale, insurance, retail, auction — why one rug has several legitimate values.
Education
Caucasian & Tribal Rug Guide
Kazak, Shirvan, Karabagh and more — identifying and valuing tribal weavings.
Education
Natural vs Synthetic Dyes
How dye type affects a rug's age, authenticity, and appraised value.
Education
Rug Damage & Value
How wear, stains, and repairs change the condition multiplier.
Education
Antique vs Vintage: The 100-Year Rule
The precise definitions that change a rug's age premium.
Education
How to Choose a Rug Appraiser
Ten questions to ask before trusting anyone with your rug's value.
Education
Rug Appraiser Training & Certification
How appraisers learn the craft, what real training covers, and the RICA path.
Appraisal
Estate Rug Appraisal Guide
What executors need for probate, distribution, and tax filings.
Appraisal
Rug Donation & IRS Form 8283
The qualified-appraisal rules for charitable rug donations over $5,000.
Appraisal
Estate Rug Appraisal
Probate, inheritance, and trust filings — the Legal, Estate or Tax Appraisal report explained.
Appraisal
Rug Donation Appraisal
Appraisals formatted for IRS Form 8283 charitable rug donations.
Appraisal
Rug Appraisal for Insurance
Scheduled coverage, replacement value, and the claim process.
A hand-knotted rug documented as part of The RUG Index's appraisal work

From the field — a rug documented during an appraisal.

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