Oriental carpets are works of art, unique and exquisite, worthy of collecting. But when it comes to buying oriental rugs, most people hold back or hesitate. It is difficult to judge the quality and they will never know if they have been ripped off or if it is really worth it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay There is simply no single factor that determines the value and quality of the oriental rug. We often talk about knot density, but this does not completely define the quality of the oriental carpet. It's not even one of the most important factors appraisers consider when determining the value of an Oriental rug. Below is a list of considerations for determining the quality and value of an oriental rug. Are finely knotted rugs better than others? Finely woven or knotted rugs are preferred for their softness and smoothness. The curved lines of a rug can be created more smoothly and gracefully with many knots in a square inch. A higher number of knots per square inch means that the rug took longer to be woven and therefore the rug piece is finer and of better quality. So it would be more expensive. Furthermore, finely knotted carpets reflect light better because their surface is denser. Oriental rugs usually have a higher knot count, as do floral and curvilinear patterns. However, keep in mind that a higher knot count is only one measure of the quality of a rug. There are cases where finer knots are not used, such as in tribal rugs and geometric shapes with straight lines that require fewer knots per square inch. A carpet of different origin and different design can be more expensive, even if it has a lower knot count. The type of pattern and the desired design assign the size of the knot. A quick way to understand something about the durability of an oriental rug is to feel its hand. If it is very loosely woven it will feel very flimsy in the hand and will not wear as well as a rug with a sturdier but still supple hand. Pile density The pile density varies from one carpet to another. Thickness can affect the longevity of a carpet. Usually, the thicker and denser the pile, the better the carpet will wear. While there are some exceptions, the vast majority of Oriental rugs whose pile is on the longer side tend to be of lower quality. Longer poles are better suited to providing fuzzy designs and are less durable than their shorter counterpart, often becoming compressed over time and making them susceptible to wear and tear. Unless the rug is being hung or placed in a traffic-free area, make sure the pile will hold up during use. Take your fingers and try moving them around the pile. Is it difficult to work them to the bottom of the pile? If so, the carpet is dense and tight, which means it will have greater wear resistance and will likely wear well. A shorter coat is more likely to wear out faster. Material Please note: This is a sample only. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The high-quality materials involved in crafting an oriental rug are what define its illustrious composition. The better the material, the better the quality of the carpet. These materials include clean wool and silk. And a rug made from high-quality hand-spun wool or silk will exude a certain sheen that a rug made from synthetic materials and machine-knitted can't duplicate..