Spot a Fake Oriental Rug – A User Guide

Oriental rugs are a popular and enduring home decor choice, but unfortunately, there are many fake oriental rugs on the market.

These fake rugs are often made with cheaper materials and inferior craftsmanship, and they can be difficult to spot if you don’t know what to look for. In this article, we’ll go over some key tips on how to spot a fake oriental rug.

We at Carpets of Kashmir have been crafting some of the finest oriental rugs for 30+ years and have a well stocked showroom with 2,000+ ready in-stock markets at World Trade Center; Mumbai.

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  • Look at the Knots

Oriental rugs are made by hand-tying individual knots of yarn onto a loom. The number and density of these knots are an important factors in the quality and value of the rug.

A high-quality oriental rug will have a high knot count, typically over 100 knots per square inch. Fake rugs, on the other hand, will have a lower knot count, often under 50 knots per square inch.

Genuine natural mulberry silk rugs have knots over 700,000 per square metre!

To check the knot count, flip the rug over and look at the back. You should be able to see the individual knots clearly, and you can count them to determine the knot density.

We have an easy to understand article on knots that will assist you in making the correct decision.

  • Examine the Design

Authentic oriental rugs are made by skilled artisans who take great care in the design and execution of the rug. Fake rugs, on the other hand, are often mass-produced and will often have poorly executed designs and mistakes in the pattern.

To spot a fake rug, look closely at the design and see if it looks well-balanced and harmonious. If the design looks sloppy or uneven, it’s likely a fake.

Popular oriental rug designs are either floral or geometric and sometimes with pictorials that are popular as wall art too.

  • Check the Fringe

Oriental rugs typically have a fringe at the ends, which is made from the same yarn as the rest of the rug. On a fake rug, the fringe is often made from a different material or is attached poorly, giving it a cheap and artificial look.

To check the fringe, look closely at the ends of the rug and see if the fringe looks consistent with the rest of the rug. If the fringe looks mismatched or poorly attached, it’s likely a fake.

  • Consider the Price

Oriental rugs are a significant investment, and high-quality rugs can be quite expensive. If you come across a rug that seems too good to be true in terms of price, it’s likely a fake. Be wary of low prices, as they are often a red flag for a fake rug. 

Check out our knowledge base on buying a genuine oriental rug.

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In conclusion, spotting a fake oriental rug requires a bit of knowledge and attention to detail. By checking the materials, knots, design, fringe, and price, you can confidently identify a fake rug and avoid being duped by a cheap imitation.

For selecting the most approporate rug for your living room, bedroom and under the coffee table you are welcome to contact rug expert Rohit Sharma for getting the guidance from an expert with 25+  years of experience.

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