• Appraisal    A third party, professional opinion, usually in writing, of the value of an item.  Usually needed when an item is sold, contemplated to be sold, donated, insured or financed.  Appraisals are needed for items such as Navajo rugs, where the value is not easily determined  and for which there is not a fluid current market price.  For instance, an ingot of gold would probably not need an appraisal, but a gold coin would.  An appraisal is an estimate of the value of an item and should not set the price.  However, in the Indian arts market, an appraisal may indeed have some affect on the selling price.   The cost of a professional appraisal should be a flat fee - not one based on appraised value.  Free appraisals are usually worth what you pay.

• Inherent Vice   Deterioration caused by the inherent nature of the item and not the result of a casualty or external cause.  An inbuilt tendency to self-destruct.  The corrosion or gradual deterioration of fibers because of the use of corrosive dyes and/or mordants (in some dark brown colors) would be an example.

• Block    The process of stretching the edges and body of a rug and the application of moisture to straighten the edges and to flatten the rug

If you have any suggestions for our Navajo rug glossary, please e-mail us.