Judging A Rug's Quality

If buying from a reputable, honest dealer, you are trusting that he/she is presenting you with only high quality pieces. To do your own analysis, there are several easy things to look for that can help you assess quality.

• Colors should be true and fast - Examine where two different colors meet to see if there is any bleeding from one to the other. Take a damp white cloth and rub it on a sampling of colors. Check the cloth for transfer of color. Dyes should be fast on quality rugs and the color should be consistent all the way down to the knot.
• Wool should not shed - Rub your finger vigorously on the face of the rug. There should be little to no shedding or fuzzing. High quality wools should not pill or shed. Note: A new oriental rug might shed very slightly when first put down. As long as it isn’t excessive and the rug passes your finger rub test, don’t worry.
• Rug should lay flat - Look carefully at how the rug meets the floor. Are the edges misshapen or is there wrinkling? Does it look crooked and out of shape?
• Pile should be even and consistent - Look for places where the shearing was uneven or for wear spots.
• Design should be clear - The design on a good quality rug should be clear. Look for good, sharp definition and clarity of design.
• Rug pile is directional - It is normal for the rug to look darker from one end and lighter from the other end because of the pile. In some rugs, this is more pronounced than in others.
• Look for obvious inconsistencies - Check the face and back of the rug. Look for breaks, cuts, repairs, holes, stains, moth activity and damage (especially with an old rug).
• It is perfectly normal in the more rural, tribal rugs, especially older ones, to see some color variation (abrash) and irregular lines. This is a characteristic of this type of rug.