How to Determine the Value of Persian Rugs

Determine whether the rug is handmade. It is more valuable if it has been made by a trained craftsman, as opposed to a machine. Turn the rug over to see if the pattern of the rug is clearly visible from the bottom. Check the rug's individual threads to make sure they are knotted at the base. Well-trained craftsmen knot each thread of their rugs by hand. If the rug does not pass either of these tests, it is not handmade.

Check the pattern of the rug carefully. More intricate patterns or a variety of patterns indicate that the rug was not only handmade, but made by a particularly skilled craftsman. When checking the pattern, also consider the rug's condition. If a rug is damaged or seems to have been extensively repaired in the past it does not hold as much market value as a rug in better condition or one that has not had to undergo such extensive repair. Also, the quality of the color will be better in a well-preserved rug, which is an important factor in determing the value of the rug.

Have the rug appraised by an expert to make sure that it is made from silk or fine wool, Impostors on the current market may look like silk or wool, but are really made from rolled cotton. Also, the finer the threads used, the more skill is needed to weave them. A rug expert will be able to determine the makeup of the rug, as well as rate the quality of the design and pattern work, the age of the rug, and its origin. Persian rugs originate in Iran.