However, a lack of fringe might not indicate that you are viewing a Navajo blanket. Mexican weavers often tuck the warp edges in to make it seem continuous, even when it is not. This is where the weaving becomes thicker at both ends and thins out. The second is to look out for lazy lines. A lazy line, which is a diagonal and 45-degree angle formed by the Navajo weaver while creating the rug, can be a diagnostic sign of a rug's authenticity. This can be a marker of authentic Navajo rugs (though knock-off rugs might also use similar looking lines).

J.Sublette, Navajo textile authority, explains why Navajo blankets are so valuable. Mark Sublette explains how Navajo blankets can be so valuable. The three main factors that make Navajo blankets so valuable are scarcity and rarity. Navajo blankets were an older form of Navajo weavings. They were produced between 1840-1890. These textiles could be wrapped around your body and worn, and were soft and drapable. While saddle blankets are more collectible than a wearing blanket, they are not as expensive. Even at peak production, Navajo weavings weren't easy to find. A blanket can take up to one year to weave, not counting the time required to raise the sheep and make the wool.

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These blankets were highly valued trade items among tribes that did not have weaving traditions of their own. Even at that time, Navajo blankets were expensive to acquire, so only the most affluent tribe members could afford one. Plains cultures, in particular, valued Navajo blankets for their warmth, comfort, and visual beauty. A man on horseback wearing one of these weavings could be identified by the design of his blanket before his face’s features came into view. In terms of the Navajo weaving traditions, Navajo wearing blankets were only made for about 50 years. The end of the era came as mechanical weaving technologies advances signaled the end of the art form as affordable commercial blankets such as those produced by Pendleton Woolen Mills became widely available.

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This rug originates from the Wide Ruins, Pine Springs, Burntwater, and Standing Rock region of the Navajo Nation. Early Crystalsused aniline dyes and were richly designed. They were bordered rugs with acentral design woven of natural colors, maybe with a touch of red. After themid-1940s, the borderless, vegetal-dyed designs came into being. The differencebetween the Crystal and the Wide Ruins and Chinle banded design rugs is that bthebands in the Crystal are bordered horizontally by wavy lines which are produced by alternating 2 or 3 different colors of weft stands (side to side foundation cords). Also, the vegetal dyes allow for more extensive use of the natural wool colors.

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Examining the ends of a fake Navajo rug to determine if the warps are continuous or tucked in is the best and easiest way to identify it. If the warps are not tucked in, every other area of the rug will have two threads. It is very unlikely that the rug is authentic if there are bundles of warps around the edges of each side. These bundles are rare in Navajo rugs. There would only be two to three warp threads within the bundle, and only one warp thread adjacent. Side cords are common in Navajo rugs. There is virtually no warp thread fringe at either end of Navajo rugs.

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An authentic Navajo rug can cost more than a thousand dollars. You can also invest in them if your passion is art and you want to decorate your home using the most original rugs. These rugs look great in modern interiors. They also last for many years. The Navajo rugs will be one of your most unique and artistic pieces of rugs. Although some of the designs and weaving techniques have changed, these rugs still maintain their authenticity and quality. Hopefully this article has clarified everything about why Navajo Rugs can be so expensive. Even though they are quite expensive, you could still consider these rugs as a symbol or American culture and heritage. Along with guides for specific rug problems, there are also discussions about different rugs. These discussions will help you get a better picture of the carpets and rugs that are in your home.The Navajo Nation, one of the largest Native American Tribes in the U. S., is currently the largest tribe by population.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, please let us know within 3 days from when you placed your order.
As soon as your order ships, you will receive an email with tracking info and then following emails with shipping updates.
We accept all major credit or debit cards. You can also pay with your PayPal account.
Just send us an email with your order number and we’ll send you instructions.  We will give you a full refund within the first 60 days after your order ships out.  After that, we have to charge a 25% restocking fee. You are responsible for return shipping fees unless you are swapping for a different design or size.
Yes! We can ship anywhere in the world. Please send us an email with your address before placing an order outside of the US and Canada though. We need to partially charge you for shipping when you place your order.
All of our rugs are made to order and go through a rigorous inspection process. You can typically expect your rug to be shipped 2 weeks from when you make your purchase.
We find rug pads are not necessary to protect your flooring. However, some people choose to use rug pads to prevent their rug from sliding around.