How to Buy a Persian Rug

Persian rugs are one of the most intricate and beautiful expressions of Persian culture and sophistication. Buying a Persian rug is as thrilling and enriching as it is complicated, so follow these basic rules and principles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Decide on the kind of Persian rug you want to buy. Persian rugs are divided into three categories: rugs larger than 6 feet by 4 feet, rugs smaller than that and nomadic carpets called Kilim. Choose which kind of rug is right for you and your needs to help narrow the selection.
2. Check the number of knots per square inch (KPSI). The more knots per square inch on a Persian rug, the better the rug. More knots in a given amount of space mean that the rug maker had to be more experienced to make the smaller knots. Ask a dealer the KPSI of a few rugs in order to get a range of quality before you buy.
3. Look for imperfections. Persian rugs show intricate geometric designs which, when hand made, frequently contain flaws in the pattern. The absence of a flaw or deviation from the pattern means the rug was probably made by a machine and is of lower quality. So look for tiny flaws and "errors" to identify a quality hand-made rug.
4. Employ your own taste. At the end of the day, beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder, so ask yourself if you like the way a rug looks before you buy it. Remember that there are thousands of colors, sizes and designs, so if you haven't found that "magic carpet," shop around to find the perfect Persian rug for you.