5 Tips for Getting the Best Emailed Appraisals for your Persian Rug

We are constantly asked for rug advice from not just our customers, but also from strangers all over the globe. People email us pictures of rugs every day looking for estimated values, second opinions on sales prices, and cleaning and repairing suggestions. We are happy to dispense this information, but the accuracy of our assessment all depends on the pictures you provide us.

So, I’ve decided to compile some handy dandy pics and tips to guide you in your rug photography efforts. If you are able to provide us pics that look like the ones below, there is an extremely high probability that our information to you will be dead on.

1. Take a picture of the entire rug

For starters, please provide us a picture of the entire rug. This is a given, right? Here is a great example of a photo of an entire rug:

2. Provide Sizing Information

This step doesn’t require a picture, and so for that reason, people usually forget to provide this information, but try to remember. Pretty please make sure you include the size of your rug somewhere in your email. I got a 99% in spatial reasoning in my post-college career testing (which by the way means that I should be a tattoo artist photo journalist right now), but the last thing that I want to do is figure out the size of your rug based on the feet and door frame that aren’t cropped out of your picture.

3. Include a Close-Up Picture of the Back Corner of the Rug

Next, please provide us with a close-up of the back of your rug where the binding of the rug meets the fringe. And, if I’m going to be really picky, let me just say, we looooove people who include some sort of frame of reference in the picture, like a quarter or a ruler. This helps to tell us how tight the weave of the rug is and to see the actual knots. Knot type can help pinpoint country of origin and knot count can help to determine quality of the weave, all factors that go into determining the value of a rug.

Using a ruler to count rug knots.

Using a ruler to count rug knots.

4. Note Any Condition Issues

Finally, please provide us either in photos or in writing information on the rug’s condition. Things such as unraveling, wear, water damage, etc. can greatly affect a rug’s value. (All antique rugs are old, but not all old rugs are antique!) Below are examples of rug issues that we’d want to know about when determining a rug’s value:

Wear

A hole

Stain/Color Damage

Missing/Unraveling Ends

5. Compose Email, Attach Pics and Send

You’re almost done unless you’re my parents who use two fingers to type. Send me that bad boy email (RugLady@JahannAndSons.com)! With rug photographs like the ones pasted above, we’ll be able to provide you with lots of information about your rug. We do this free of charge to you! In the event you require something in writing for your records or insurance, then please give us a call (301-530-6660) to schedule an appointment for a certified appraiser to take a look at your rugs or to come to your home (this isn’t free, but we’re the best priced in the area and the most attractive knowledgeable). Have a great day!

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