How to Spot a Fake Persian Rug

Persian rugs are priceless investments. These beautiful rugs have been proven repeatedly to transform the look and feel of an office or home, inviting luxury and tradition. The fact that they are hand-knotted makes them even more valuable to their owners. However, Persian rugs are not the only rugs available out there; when shopping for a rug, you'll come across a variety of machine-made rugs.

With the wide variety of Persian-style and machine-made rugs out there, it could be challenging to differentiate authentic Persian rugs from fake Persian rugs due to expert replication of traditional design and emblems. Hence, if you wish to train the naked eye to spot for fake Persian rugs, check out our tips below.

Check Where the Rug Was Manufactured

True Persian rugs are woven in Iran. The rugs produced in this region are truly handmade as machine-made rugs are typically produced in the United States and certain European countries. Some other handmade rugs are manufactured in Pakistan, China, and some of the other Orient countries, but it's not considered an authentic Persian rug unless it's made in Iran.

Examine whether the rug is Hand-knotted or Hand-tufted

Every knot in an authentic hand-knotted rug is done by hand. In the case of hand-tufted rugs, tufting guns are used to smack designs into a canvas that extends behind stencils. One can detect whether the rug is hand-knotted or hand-tufted by examining the rug's base; the knots are usually more visible in true Persian rugs.

Check Both Sides of the Rug

You can easily spot a fake or a true Persian rug by evaluating the backside. Hand-knotted rugs generally include more imperfections than machine-made rugs, which usually have perfect designs.

Observe the Rug Material

True Persian rugs are made from natural materials (wool, silk, and cotton), with wool being used the most.

There you have it! Above are just some tips to help you spot a fake Persian rug. Having an authentic Persian rug is a worthy possession. However, being able to differentiate the fake ones from the authentic ones ensures that your investment is worth it.