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Navajo rugs have a reputation for being expensive because of their exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality wool. Price of Navajo rugs is affected by the tightness of weaving, the size of the rug and the dyes used. Navajo rugs are typically priced between $100 and a few thousand dollars. In the 1800s, Navajo women started to weave chief's covers. These blankets were so popular that Indians all across the country wore them. These blankets, while not considered a badge of chieftainship or a symbol of power and wealth, were used to symbolize power and wealth. A few factors will affect the value of a Navajo rug: how big it is, its age, tightness, weaving style, dyes used and the condition in which it is. Navajo rugs are priced from $100 to several thousand dollars for a small rug, up to several thousand for a larger and more expensive one. Pendleton Woolen Mills, Pendleton Oregon is the only pioneer mill that still makes these blankets. They also sell to non-Indians but approximately half of their annual production goes directly to Indians, especially Navajos. Navajo rugs are available in a range of prices, from $100 for a small rug to several thousand for a larger and more expensive one.
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Second, look for the presence of “lazy lines.” A lazy line is a diagonal, 45-degree angle line formed as the Navajo weaver creates the rug. The presence of one can be a diagnostic characteristic of an authentic Navajo rug (although knock-off rugs also try to have similar looking lines in the weave). A lazy line is formed as the weaver works. The weaver sits in front of the loom and works in a section, weaving in the weft yarn in the desired pattern. The weaver then moves over and works on another section. By working in this way, it creates these beautiful lines in the body of the rug.
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The Ganado and Klagetoh style rugs continue to be made to this day and are among the most popular of all Navajo rug designs. J.B. Moore, who owned the trading post at Crystal, New Mexico from 1897-1911, was another visionary trader who exercised enormous influence over early Navajo rug design. Perhaps his most important innovation was to introduce weavers in his region to Oriental rug patterns. Rather than copying wholesale, the Navajo filtered the new patterns through their own cultural sensibilities and personal design preferences. In the process, they drew out specific concepts and motifs, re-synthesizing them into distinctly Navajo designs.

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When trying to determine the authenticity of a Navajo rug, one of the first things you should check is the warp. Warp strings run vertically and make up the foundation of the rug. Navajo rugs are made on a continuous loom that contains the actual warp threads. You can check this visually and by running your hand along the side of the rug to feel whether the warp threads run the length of the rug or whether they’ve been cut. However, in Mexican-made copies, the cut warp threads are hidden, making it more difficult to detect.
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There are two exceptions to the “no fringe” rule. Germantown rugs have a fringe that is added on after the rug is woven. They are rare and there’s a good picture of one of them at left. The fringe on an antique Germantown may be partially worn away, or gone altogether, but this does not hurt the structure of the textile, since the fringe is an add-on. The other exception to the rule is a Gallup throw. These small pieces about usually 18″ by 24″ and are woven in the Gallup, New Mexico area. A typical Gallup throw is woven on a cotton warp, and the weaving is cut off and knotted rather than finished in the traditional way so there is a fringe on one end only. There are thousands of Gallup throws out there that were sold to train passengers along the Sante Fe railway. They make a nice addition to a collection and usually will cost $40 to $50, although I’ve seen them go for $250 on eBay.


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Navajo textile expert, Dr. J. Mark Sublette explains how Navajo blankets can be dated. This video provides an overview about the characteristics of authentic Navajo blankets. The Navajo does not make all rugs that look Native American or Southwestern. Mexico has a long tradition weaving rugs. If you don't know where to look, it can be confusing. Dr. J., a Navajo expert and Hispanic textile specialist, gives his advice in this video. Mark Sublette provides tips on how you can avoid common pitfalls when determining if a weaving is an authentic Navajo rug/blanket.
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Hopefully this article clarified all details about the reasons why Navajo Rugs are so costly. Although they are a bit expensive, these rugs can be considered a symbol for American heritage and culture. We also provide guides on specific rug issues. These discussions will give you a better understanding of the carpets and rugs in your home. According to US News, the Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the U.S. According to the Indian Health Service, the majority of the members of the group live on the largest Indian reservation in the country, 16 million acres. This area is mainly in Arizona, but also includes parts of New Mexico, Utah and New Mexico. Since over a century, the southwestern U.S. has been home to the Navajo. The Navajo were once at war with white settlers, Native tribes and other Native peoples. They developed a skill that allowed them to produce blankets. Although the Navajo are well-known for many things, their weaving skills are most widely known. According to PBS, the group learned two skills from Spanish during the 17th century -- how to shear sheep and how make wool. They had learned complex weaving techniques from the Pueblo by the end of the 17th century.
