A Persian carpet is and always has been one of the most important and profitable exports coming from Iran. Nearly ¾ of the world’s Persian carpet production comes from Iran.

Persian carpets made from Persian weavers are widely considered the top of the market due to their intricacy in design, their clarity in color and durability through time.

An authentic Persian carpet of great quality (coming from Iran) can fetch up to millions of euros in current global market. Depending on the design, age and more importantly knot count Persian rugs may vary dramatically in price.

There is a common concern among potential buyers that many dealers may try to take advantage of their inexperience and sell them copies instead of a genuine product (in the price range of an original carpet).

This is partly true and in many cases we observe con artists manipulate their clients into believing they are acquiring genuine Persian carpets when in reality they are purchasing low end machine made products.

People need to do research before moving into purchasing such an intricate piece of art. Finding a bargain does not necessarily transcends into compulsive buys in a market where fakes are so openly promoted as originals. There are many ways to successfully identify a genuine Persian carpet.

Labeling Authenticity

Every Persian carpet has a label of originality on the back that usually identifies the country where the carpet was made. Ask your dealer to show you the label and read the country of origin. Like any original carpet it should clearly state that it originates from Iran (like shown in the image bellow).

Knotting technique.

Observe the knots of the carpet. A genuine Persian carpet was and still is made using a single looping knot technique. Especially antique carpets, which can date more than 100 years old, should be made using the single looping method.

Pattern visibility.

Patterns of the Persian carpets are visible from the back of the carpet and are therefore a clear indication of its genuine design and production. (Like shown in the image bellow). Additionally the thickness of the design and the patterns need to be rather high. A carpet of greater quality can easily exceed 290 knots per square inch, which is rather impressive considering that an average weaver can produce up to 6000 knots per day. Such a high numbers of knots can only lead to a design of high clarity and detail, which is ultimately what identifies the Persian carpet.

Clarity of color – Intricacy of design.

The colors of a genuine carpet need to be vibrant and the design needs to be detailed and of high quality. As mentioned above the high knot count leads to great colors that have the ability to almost bring the carpet to life. More importantly genuine Persian carpets use “natural dyes” (that translates to vegetable or plant based dyes) and are woven by hand spun wool that gives it durability and stain resistance. Therefore tears in the patterns and fading to the colors usually indicate that the carpet is a fake.

Finding the right One.

The most important factor in order to choose the right carpet for your home is to find a trustworthy and approved dealer that has the ability to cover your needs in quantity and quality and more importantly provide you with the necessary paperwork that ensures the authenticity of every carpet that he/she offers. Other than that there are definitely some parameters that you need to have in mind and there are several steps that you need to take before acquiring the right carpet.

Step 1: Set a budget.

In order to narrow down a huge selection of Persian rugs one rather important factor usually is the price. Find your price range and keep in mind that there are many good choices that may be ideal for your home in any price.

For example Nomadic carpets are typically cheaper that classic Persian carpets but may prove to be an excellent choice for your home despite their price tag. Although classic designs should be better investments as they tend to dramatically increase in value over the years. Therefore your first and most important step is to identify your needs and set up a budget that fits you.

Step 2: Determine the size of the carpet.

Another important step is to find the space that you need to place the carpet in, which will ultimately show you the area that you need to cover and the size of the carpet. Larger carpets are typically more expensive due to their higher knot count. A carpet of larger scale may require many months of production and as a result will greatly increase its value.

Step 3: Identify your color schemes.

We mentioned this before in length that Coloring and texture are the keys for a successful choice in Persian carpets. Identify the key colors of your home and keep some of the fabrics (from couches to drapes) that you intend to use with you when shopping for a Persian rug. Colors, patterns, lines, textures or any other elements can be used to create an area of complete harmony. Therefore cushions drapes or even plants can be used to coordinate the color schemes of the space and tight up the elements of your home.

Be patient – Find the right one.

Using the information above accurately is crucial in order to acquire the right Carpet at the right price. An Original Persian carpet is one of the kind and should be treated like a piece of art that satisfy your sense of style and need for quality. Find a well-informed and trustworthy dealer that has the ability and knowledge to guide you through an abundance of choices and designs. Avoid going to many dealers as it will only confuse you and frustrate you. Keep calm, be patient, identify your needs and you will definitely find the right one. Here is a great place to start. http://www.carpetu2.com.