A high-quality rug stands out through a combination of materials, craftsmanship, and design. Here’s how you can tell if a rug is high-quality:

1. Material Quality

• Wool: High-end rugs are often made from 100% wool (especially New Zealand or Persian wool). It’s durable, soft, and naturally stain-resistant.
• Silk: Used in luxury rugs—gives a sheen and is very fine. Often found in Persian or Indian rugs.
• Cotton: Common in the foundation (warp and weft) of high-quality rugs.
• Synthetic materials (polypropylene, nylon): Usually a sign of lower-quality machine-made rugs.

2. Hand-Knotted vs Machine-Made

• Hand-Knotted Rugs are the gold standard. You can tell it’s hand-knotted if:
• The back of the rug mirrors the front design closely.
• You see individual knots on the back (not a mesh or glued backing).
• The fringe is part of the structure (not sewn or glued on).
• Machine-Made Rugs have uniform, perfect patterns and often a plastic or mesh backing.

3. Knot Density (KPI or KPSI – Knots Per Square Inch)

• Generally, the higher the knot density, the better the detail and quality.
• 120–300 KPSI = very good quality.
• 300+ KPSI = exceptional (often seen in silk rugs).

4. Design & Pattern

• Sharp, intricate patterns are a sign of skill and time investment.
• Symmetry and detail: Look at the borders and motifs—blurry or inconsistent designs can indicate lower craftsmanship.

5. Color and Dye

• Natural dyes (vegetable or plant-based) tend to be more desirable and age better.
• High-quality rugs have rich, varied color tones (called “abrash”), not flat or synthetic-looking colors.
• Rub a damp cloth on the rug—if color transfers, the dye may not be colorfast.

6. Weight and Feel

• High-quality wool rugs feel dense, substantial, and plush, but not too soft or spongy like cheaper synthetic rugs.
• Pick up a corner—does it feel heavy for its size? That’s often a good sign.

7. Age and Origin

• Antique or semi-antique rugs from places like Persia (Iran), Turkey, India, Afghanistan, and Morocco often hold high value—if handmade.
• Look for labels or certificates of origin if available (though beware of fakes).

8. Price

• If the price feels too good, it probably isn’t a genuine high-quality rug. Handmade wool or silk rugs are labor-intensive and priced accordingly.

Quick Tests You Can Do:

• Back inspection: Flip the rug—if the design is clearly visible on the back, it’s likely hand-knotted.
• Fringe check: If the fringe is sewn on, it’s likely machine-made.
• Burn test (if allowed): Wool smells like burning hair; synthetics smell like plastic.

Let me know if you want to evaluate a specific rug (you can share photos if needed).