So you want to purchase a nice work of art, but you want it functional as well. Perhaps you should consider an oriental rug. High quality Turkish rugs are both functional and exceptionally beautiful works of art that really hold their value well. The best thing about them is that there are rugs in just about any price range, ranging from large handmade carpets that can run more than several thousand dollars, to smaller machine made rugs that can be as inexpensive as forty dollars. For those with a large budget, antique oriental rugs are a great investment.

Although they are called "Turkish" rugs, they are not necessarily made in Turkey. Many are made throughout the Middle East and Africa. If while traveling in these areas, you should decide to purchase your rugs while there, it is recommended that you use the services of an expert. Some guides have made deals with shops owners to bring them customers and receive a piece of the profit, making these rugs somewhat more expensive.

To make sure you choose the perfect rug, you need to give it some scrutiny. Meticulously inspect the weave of the rug. It is most likely machine made if the weave seems flawless. You will find an irregular weave on a genuine hand woven Oriental carpet, suggest that there may be minor spaces among the various knots. Cut-rate mass produced rugs typically bear ends which are improperly finished or possess skimpy borders.

The best high quality, luxurious Turkish area rugs are manufactured with one hundred percent wool and made to be very thick. The highest quality rugs may be produced with a blend of wool and silk. The value of these rugs are high as compared to rugs manufactured from cotton, which tend to be at the low end of the quality scale. Cotton rugs do not hold up as well and the resale value is poor. In order to ensure that a quality purchase is being made and not a cheap cotton imitation, one must inspect the fringe. Quality wool rugs will be made completely of wool down to the last thread. If the fringe is made of cotton, it is not a wool rug.

Finally, don't be afraid to take your time looking through what the rug dealer has to offer. The merchant will consider the fact that you are taking time to look closely at his wares as a sign of respect. Once you have selected a rug, you don't have to accept the first price the merchant quotes you. They expect people to think of that price as a starting point for negotiations. But, the best selection and the best deals can be found by purchasing your oriental and Turkish rugs online.