In addition to the knot density, the pile height, i.e. the thickness of the carpet, is an indicator of its value. The thinner a hand-knotted carpet, the higher its quality. Only very experienced knotters are able to make a very thin and flat carpet. Very high-quality Persian carpets are usually only 3 - 6 mm thick.

The Investment Value of Oriental Rugs For instance, rugs made before World War I, such as Persian and Caucasian rugs, are considered highly collectable, commanding prices of $150-$200 per square foot or more. However, keep in mind that not all Oriental rugs appreciate at the same rate or to the same degree.

Since many of these countries lie in an area which today is referred to as the Islamic world, oriental rugs are often also called “Islamic Carpets”, and the term “oriental rug” is used mainly for convenience. The carpets from Iran are known as “Persian Carpets”.

Oriental Rug is a broader category comprised of any hand-knotted rug made in Asia. Persian Rugs fall under the umbrella of oriental rugs, but due to their popularity, the unique knot used in their production, and their specific country of origin, they are often separated into their own category.