P rior to any conversation on Oriental rugs we first need to define what an Oriental rug actually is and is not.
An Oriental rug is hand made in the Middle East or Far East (Persia is now Iran) from primarily wool. Its face has a raised pile and its design is consistent to the region in which it was made. An Oriental rug is NOT some machine made knock-off that merely looks Oriental!
Choosing an Oriental rug has a lot relating to an individual's taste, so in this guide I'll|I'll] cover what makes one rug costlier than another.
Knot Density - the higher the knot density the higher the quality of the craftsmanship leading to a higher priced rug. Knot density is generally referred to in knots per square inch (KPSI) or RAJ (knots in 7 centimeters). You can convert RAJ to KPSI with this formula: (RAJ/7) * 2.542 = KPSI. But, when dealing with rugs made in China the given number isn't KPSI or RAJ – it relates to knots per horizontal foot. Finally, to make it even more confusing, Pakistani rugs are rated with a ratio; the top number are the knots in a horizontal inch and the bottom number represents knots in a vertical inch.
Consistent Weave - when looking at a rug up close try and notice how consistent the weave is. The weave won't be uniform, but it should be consistent.
Age - as you may guessed, the older the rug the higher its value, but be mindful of rugs that have aged artificially.
Fiber - certified Oriental Rugs are generally produced with wool from New Zealand, but the're other fibers that maybe used namely: silk. Silk rugs are in general expensive and delicate and require special care and cleaning, so if you select to invest in a silk rug be ready to take care of it. Also, be conscious that some rugs are made with Rayon under these sneaky names: Art. Silk, A. Silk, Faux Soie. These fibers are all Rayon and not silk at all.
Finally, make sure that with any purchase you receive a certificate of authentication. If the seller doesn't have one, then it is more than likely a fake. Also, research the rug dealer to make sure they are trust worthy.
To find a Buyer’s Guide and great deals on oriental and persian rugs check out: http://antique-persian-rug.info/
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