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 only looks Oriental!
Picking out an Oriental rug has a lot to do with an individual's taste, so in this guide I'll|I'll] cover what makes one rug more expensive 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 known in knots per square inch (KPSI) or RAJ (knots in 7 centimeters). You can convert RAJ to KPSI by using this formula: (RAJ/7) * 2.542 = KPSI. But, when dealing with rugs made in China the given number isn't KPSI or RAJ – it denotes 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 considering a rug up close try and notice how consistent the weave is. The weave will not be uniform, but it should be consistent.
Age - as you might have guessed, the older the rug the higher its value, but be mindful of rugs that have aged artificially.
Fiber - certified Oriental Rugs are generally made of wool from New Zealand, but there are other fibers that maybe used namely: silk. Silk rugs are in general expensive and delicate and require special care and cleaning, so if you choose to invest in a silk rug be ready to take care of it. Also, be aware that some rugs are produced using Rayon under these sneaky names: Art. Silk, A. Silk, Faux Soie. These fibers are all Rayon and not silk in the least.
Finally, ensure 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're 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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