More about rug valuation

What is a rug valuation based on?

• Age: Greater age often increases the value of the rug. It has to be of good quality wool, workmanship, natural dyes and historical value. On the tribal pieces, some of the tribes are either on the verge of deliquesence or no longer exist and their rugs become one of the earth's treasures left behind from that particular tribe.
• Knot Per Square Inch or RAJ: Higher knot density increases the quality and price of the handmade carpet. You can convert RAJ to KPSI by the following formula: [(RAJ/7) x2.54]^2=KPSI For example: 40 RAJ of Kashan equal to [(30/7) x2.54] ^2=118 KPSI. The reason for this is that the higher the rug’s KPSI, typically the longer the weaver spent to produce it. The rug will also have a higher chance of lasting longer over time as it is more tightly woven together.
• Rug Weave consistency: Traditional rugs can usually be told apart from machine-made rugs by analysing their weaving consistency and density. Machine-made rugs are consistent throughout in terms of weave consistency and density, whereas handmade traditional and tribal rugs are not.
• Fibre: The rugs made from fibres such as wool are more valued than the rugs made from artificial fibres. A common fibre used in rug weaving and rug restoration is sheep wool. The quality of lamb/sheep wool is dependent on how many times the sheep’s wool has been cut previously, defining the quality of the wool. The first trim of lamb wool is generally softer and more sought after, it is also known as new wool. The quality of fibre is also based on the sheep breed, sheep diet and the conditions they endure. Another common type of fibre used when weaving traditional rugs is Silk. Silk rugs are expensive, but delicate and require special cleaning. Silk rugs are typically made using silk derivative of the cocoon from the silk butterfly undergoing further processes. However, even with silk, there are a variety of different types, which contribute to the overall valuation of your rug.
• Technique:The best handmade rug is better than the best machine-made rug, although there are very well-made rugs from both techniques at this point in time. This commonly heard phrase is due to the fact that if looked after properly, handmade rugs can last for centuries. This is because handmade rugs, depending on the region, are usually made using the exact same method of rug weaving as the Pazyryk Carpet which dates back to 5th Century BC, Thus proving a monolith against the ever passing of time.