The rug that's best for you is the one that best suits your tastes, budget, and individual needs. But the marketplace value of an Oriental rug is determined by different factors. Though some Oriental rugs do increase in value with age, the average Joey or Chloe doesn't buy an Oriental rug as the keystone of a retirement plan. That being said, it pays to know what factors affect a rug's marketplace value. Rug fibers are dyed with natural or synthetic dyes.
Natural dyes result in soft, muted colors that improve with age.
Rugs of natural-dyed fibers are generally more valuable than synthetically dyed rugs. The Dealer's Corner Chemical washes can mute synthetic colors and are used by lots of reputable rug makers to give rugs a softer look and feel. The more detailed, intricate, symmetrical, and well-executed a rug's pattern, the higher its value is likely to be. Rug Orientation 101 Lots of Oriental rugs made of naturally dyed fibers show streaks of subtle color variation, known as abrash . Abrash is a result of the natural dyeing process, and it usually contributes to the beauty and value of the rug.