Similar Rugs With Vastly Different Prices

Some buyers are confused by the fact that two rugs, similar in design, country of origin, and size, have vastly different prices. To understand why this is, you need to understand all of the factors that go into the price of the rug.

Handmade oriental rugs are a little more complicated to evaluate than most household products. Even rugs that look very similar may be quite different in quality and value. This is true for one-of-a-kind antique rugs as well as contract lines, where a particular design can be made-to-order and purchased in any size. Let's consider some of these factors:

• Wool. There is a high variance in the quality of wools used to make rugs. Better rugs use 'live wool', which is sheared from living sheep. Such wool retains the natural oils, and will retain its beauty for a long time. Lower quality rugs may use 'dead wool', which is collected from slaughtered animals using harsh chemicals. Not only does dead wool look and feel worse than good quality wool, it will not hold up over time nearly as well.
• Dyes. Dyes also come in a variety of qualities. At the top, you have vegetable dyes that have been created by master dyers, which not only look beautiful, but will also stand up to repeated washings. Cheaper chemical dyes (aniline dyes) will typically look more artificial or garish, and may run when washed.
• Knot Quality. Better rugs often have higher knot counts, which simply means that are more knots for the same size rug. It takes more time and skill to make a high knot count rug, but the advantage is that the rug may have a more detailed look, and it should be more durable.
• Condition. There are many aspects to the condition of a rug that a buyer might not be aware of. Some lower quality rugs may be excessively crooked, sheared unevenly, unable to lay flat, or even be infested by moth!

Now that we've covered the basics, let's consider a hypothetical buyer who's looking at two rugs:

• Rug A. $1200 9 x 12 Agra made in India. (This rug seems like a great deal!) It's reasonably attractive in the lighting the buyer can see it (online photograph, auction floor, merchant space). What the buyer doesn't know is that it was made with dead wool, chemical dyes, has poor knot quality, and has some subtle damage he can't see. This rug will not last very long, probably won't look so good in different lighting conditions, has an overall cheap feel, and will depreciate in value very quickly.
• Rug B. $7200 9 x 12 Agra made in India. At first glance this rug seems like a worse value than Rug A. But it's made of very high quality 100% merino wool, with expertly mixed vegetable dyes. The knot count is approximately 300 knots, which gives it fine detail, a smooth feel, and exceptional durability. The rug will exude quality, and will look stunning in a variety of lighting conditions. It will last for decades, look beautiful after many washes, and may appreciate in price over the years.

Which rug is the better value? Well, it depends on what the buyer is looking for. An informed buyer can understand the real trade-offs between the two, and make the purchase best for them. Note that these rugs represent different ends of the spectrum. In reality, there are a wide variety of qualities and prices between the two for a buyer to choose from. Reputable oriental rug dealers can tell you why a rug is priced the way it is, and can help you make the right choices for your priorities and budget.

Keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for, and if someone is trying to sell you a $1200 rug that they say is 'just like' the $7200 rug a reputable dealer is selling, you should consider that there might be more (or less) to it than meets the eye.