Silk Rug Appraisal | Hereke, Qom, Tabriz Silk Valuation

145+

Years Valuing Rugs

Continuously appraising silk rugs since 1881.

USPAP

Compliant Reports

Reports follow Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

Top 8

Nationally Recognized

Listed by the Oriental Rug Buyers Guide as one of the country's top rug authorities.

BBB

Accredited

Accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, Memphis chapter.

Silk rug appraisal turns on a single critical question: is this true silk, or art silk? The answer creates one of the largest value differences in the entire rug market. A genuine Hereke or Qom silk piece can value $5,000 to $50,000 or more depending on size and condition. A visually similar art-silk reproduction (viscose, bamboo silk, banana silk) typically values $300 to $1,500. The two look nearly identical to a non-expert. The value difference is enormous, and getting authentication right is the most important step in any silk rug appraisal.

Fred Remmers Rug Cleaners has been appraising silk rugs since 1881. Four generations of family training. Our silk appraisal methodology starts with non-destructive fiber authentication — true silk has specific fiber characteristics that distinguish it from cellulose-based art silks under examination. From there, the appraisal proceeds with traditional silk-specific factors: knot density (typically 600–1,200 KPSI in fine pieces), regional origin (Turkish Hereke, Iranian Qom, fine Tabriz silks, Kashmir silks, Chinese silks), workshop attribution where signatures are present, age and dating, and condition specific to silk (luster, color stability, foundation integrity).

Fine silk rugs are dramatically under-insured more often than any other category we appraise. Inherited pieces, gifts, or older purchases are often insured at original or assumed values that are a fraction of current market. We routinely identify silk pieces insured for $1,000 with current replacement values of $15,000 or more. Updating silk appraisals every 5–10 years is standard practice for valuable pieces, and major fine-art insurance carriers typically require formal appraisal before scheduling silk rugs for fine-art coverage.

Need cleaning instead? See our silk rug cleaning page. Need repair? See our silk rug repair page.

Silk Value Drivers

What we assess for silk valuation.

Silk-specific value drivers — different from wool oriental valuation in important ways.

Authentication: true silk vs. art silk

The single most important factor. True silk values 10–50x higher than art silk of similar appearance. Non-destructive authentication during initial examination.

Knot density (KPSI)

Fine silk pieces run 600–1,200 KPSI. Density is one of the largest single drivers within authenticated silk; a 1,000 KPSI Hereke values much higher than 600 KPSI.

Regional origin

Hereke (Turkish), Qom (Iranian), Tabriz silk (Iranian), Kashmir silk (Indian), Chinese silk — each region has distinct value patterns and identification markers.

Workshop attribution

Many fine silk pieces carry workshop signatures or attributable characteristics. Documented attribution can significantly affect value.

Foundation: silk-on-silk vs. silk-on-cotton

Full-silk construction (silk foundation and silk pile) values higher than silk-on-cotton. Distinction matters for high-end pieces.

Condition specific to silk

Luster preservation, color stability, foundation integrity, and any prior cleaning damage. Silk damages permanently from improper handling.

What's Included

Every silk report we issue includes:

Fiber authentication

Confirmed authentication of true silk vs. art silk. Foundation fiber identification (silk-on-silk vs silk-on-cotton).

Photography & documentation

Full-rug, detail, and back-of-rug photographs. Signature documentation when present.

Construction analysis

Knot density, knot type (Persian asymmetric or Turkish symmetric), foundation, and construction details specific to silk.

Origin and attribution

Regional origin (Hereke, Qom, Tabriz silk, Kashmir, Chinese) with methodology. Workshop attribution where determinable.

Stated value with comparables

Current fair market value or replacement value with stated methodology and silk-specific comparable documentation.

USPAP compliance

Reports follow Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice — accepted by insurance, courts, IRS.

Where We Serve

Silk rug appraisal across 5 metros.

Certified USPAP-compliant appraisal for silk rugs in every market we serve. Free pick-up, free delivery.

Tennessee · HQ Memphis Mid-South's oldest rug specialist Middle Tennessee Nashville Belle Meade, Brentwood, Franklin OKC Metro Oklahoma City Edmond to Norman, rare expertise Northeast Oklahoma Tulsa Maple Ridge, Brookside antique specialty DFW Metroplex Dallas Highland Park to Frisco, high-value collections

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

How do you authenticate true silk vs. art silk?

True silk authentication is one of the most important parts of silk rug appraisal — and one of the largest single value differences in the rug market. True silk has specific characteristics: protein fiber structure, distinctive cool feel, characteristic luster shift in light, and specific fiber appearance under magnification. Art silk (viscose, bamboo silk, banana silk, rayon) is cellulose fiber that mimics silk's appearance but values dramatically lower. We authenticate non-destructively during inspection.

What's the value difference between a true silk and art silk rug?

Significant. A genuine Hereke or Qom silk piece can value $5,000 to $50,000+ depending on size and quality. A visually similar art-silk reproduction typically values $300 to $1,500. The visual difference is subtle to a non-expert; the value difference is enormous. Authentication is the single most important step in silk appraisal.

Are fine silk rugs often under-insured?

Very frequently. Silk rugs are often gifts, inherited pieces, or purchases made years ago — and the insured value is often a fraction of current market. We routinely identify silk rugs insured for $1,000 that have current replacement values of $15,000 or more. Fine-art insurance carriers typically require formal appraisal before scheduling silk rugs, which is exactly when correct valuation matters most.

What knot density is typical in fine silk rugs?

Fine silk rugs routinely run 600–1,200 knots per square inch — roughly two to three times finer than fine wool. Hereke silk often reaches 900+ KPSI; fine Qom is similar. Density is one of the largest single value drivers in silk pieces; a 1,000 KPSI Hereke values significantly higher than an otherwise-similar 600 KPSI piece.

How much does silk rug appraisal cost?

Silk appraisals are typically priced individually because of authentication time, knot density analysis, and comparable research required. Most fall between $200 and $750 per rug. Very valuable pieces (Hereke or Qom in the five-figure range) are quoted higher because of additional research and comparable documentation.

Service Area

Available across five metros.

Free pick-up and delivery in every city we serve. Tap a city for local details and your nearest phone number.

Tennessee Memphis (901) 278-3704 Tennessee Nashville (615) 730-8515 Oklahoma Oklahoma City (405) 972-3150 Oklahoma Tulsa (918) 973-5460 Texas Dallas (972) 532-8940

Silk Rug Appraisal since 1881.