Some people choose not to have rugs and carpets at their homes, since we all know they are difficult to clean and maintain regularly. But, there are still those who enjoy the cloudy feeling the rugs provide as we walk through the rooms, and of course, some people are really enthusiastic about having a piece of art, as are the Persian rugs and other oriental types of carpets.
Usually, the sellers advertise these products as handmade and genuine, and it’s all probably like that. But, there are cases of scams and customers have the whole right to be suspicious about the products they are planning to buy. And of course, handmade rugs aren’t inexpensive – they can cost a lot of money and if you are ready to spend that amount, you probably want to get a legit product that meets all the required standards for quality.
Sometimes it is enough to just look and recognize the quality, but sometimes all this requires a lot of knowledge and experience, so you can buy a quality product that you can use for a long time, without the risk of being destroyed in a few years. Quality and handmade rugs also have quality certificates, but the best thing is that they are made with a lot of effort and love as if I made them for myself.
However, you need to learn for yourself how to recognize that it is handmade and that it is worth investing money, and these are some of the signs:
-
Is the seller verified and credible?
According to the price and the way these rugs are sold, you can judge whether it is a product that is credible and legitimate. Nowadays you can even buy carpets online, but even here you must know whether it is quality or a lie. First, make sure the site has all the necessary ordering information and terms of use, such as at persianandmodernrugs.com. Then, you can request relevant experiences on forums and social networks, so you can make a fair assessment and order from a place where you will receive the appropriate service.
-
Look at the rug from the bottom
Machine-woven rugs have perfect knots on the underside, while hand-woven rugs do not have such perfection and weaving flow. You can also see the knots being tied, which is not possible with machine products. We could call this a perfect imperfection because these small irregularities are a clear sign that someone has put a lot of time and effort into producing the carpet and that it is authentic and handmade.
-
Differences in colors and shades
The threads are often dyed by hand, with natural colors that do not cover the thread evenly and completely. That’s the beauty, the uniqueness that will not be repeated even if someone orders the same rug like yours. If the colors are harmonious and uniform, then either pre-dyed thread was used, or it is machine weaving. If you still notice inequality and inconsistency, it’s not a mistake, it’s actually what makes your rug more beautiful and unique.
-
Take a good look at the edges
Again, we will talk about the imperfections that make the creation valuable and unique. The flat edges are a sign that it has been worked with a machine. Sometimes the carpet can be a combination. It’s up to you what you prefer. If you want to buy only handmade, then you will surely want to check the edges of the carpet, where you can well notice what kind of weaving and sewing it is.
-
Read the product declaration
Usually, all the details of the production are listed on the carpet declaration. On it you will find information about the type of thread used, the origin of the product, as well as interesting facts about who made it, how long, and whether there is a similar sample in the world. Even in the field of Persian carpets, there is already industrial production, where only the material and designs are authentic, but not handmade. Because of this, their prices are more affordable than hand-woven rugs.
-
Place of production
If you are looking for genuine making, then on the declaration ask for information whether they are made in countries like Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, and even Nepal. But if they are made in European countries, such as Belgium or Italy, then it is definitely a machine knit.
-
What materials are used?
Most often, hand-woven rugs are made of natural materials and wool. If the carpet contains polyester or nylon, but also other similar synthetic materials, it is probably not a handmade product, as these materials are difficult to make and are machine suitable.
Final words
The price is the one that will indicate that it is an authentic product. But if you notice any of the above signs and it does not match what you are looking for, you have every right to doubt the seller’s sincerity or the authenticity of the rug. However, in certain situations, you can find handmade rugs at a discount or at a special offer.
We have listed many signs by which you can make sure that you invest your money in something worthwhile. Do not look for fine lines and harmonious colors, do not look for perfection that exists only in industrial production. The key in handicrafts is that even if manufacturers want, they cannot make a copy of the product. It may be similar, it may look identical, but the number of knots, the length of the thread, and the harmony of the colors should never be repeated in the same way.
Of course, the most important thing in the whole process is to make sure that you buy from a trusted seller. Whether you are shopping online or have the opportunity to see it before you buy, it is important to recognize the right quality and authentic workmanship. That way you will know that you are spending the money in the right place.
