Six Things to Check Before Choosing Your Qom Silk Carpet

When a veteran carpet merchant at the Qom bazaar picks up a new carpet, they first flip it over. Next, they gently scratch the knots with a fingernail. Finally, they fold a corner of the carpet to see how it recovers its shape. The order is almost always the same, so much so that when I first accompanied them, I asked, "Don't you look at the flashiness?"

Persian carpets, especially Qom silk carpets, are not judged solely by their visual splendor. The hands of artisans who have been looking at them for many years check six less obvious spots in sequence. This isn't theoretical knowledge, but rather practical know-how gained from touching hundreds of carpets.

Here, I will explain these six points in order. By the time you finish reading, you'll understand that it's not a simple case of "the bigger the number, the better."

1. Knot Count — Numbers Aren't Everything

When discussing carpet quality, the first thing that comes up is weaving density, or knot count. In Japan, the knot count per square meter is used, while in Persia, the unit "raj" is used. 70 raj means there are 70 knots in a 7cm width.

For Qom silk carpets, 1 million to 1.2 million knots per square meter is considered a high-quality standard. Above 1.4 million knots, the fineness is such that you can barely feel the bumps of the knots with your fingers.

However, after comparing many carpets, you realize that there's a world where density isn't the only deciding factor. Chasing excessive fineness can sometimes lead to a loss of the expansive quality of colors and a sense of empty space in the composition. I believe that not relying on numbers, but rather looking at the overall balance of the carpet, leads to a choice you'll regret less.

2. Luster — The Source of Silk's Sheen

The charm of silk carpets is, without a doubt, their luster. The deep shine that reflects light comes from the very structure of the threads. The cross-section of silk is not round, but close to triangular. This disperses light like a prism, causing the carpet's appearance to change with every viewing angle.

Another factor is the finishing. After weaving, carpets undergo a process called "shearing," where the pile on the surface is trimmed to an even length. If this is slightly off, the way the luster appears will also change. The nuanced pressure of the artisan's fingertips determines the final shine.

And then there's the quality of the original silk yarn itself. This is something you only understand by comparing, but high-quality silk has "depth" and "transparency" in its shine. It's when these three—material, twist, and finish—come together that a truly moving luster is born.

3. Color and Pattern — Harmony Over Number of Colors

Qom carpets have become known for their rich colors, incorporating techniques from other regions. The more colors used, the more effort is required to change threads, naturally increasing the labor cost.

However, it's not necessarily true that more colors mean a better carpet. Frankly, there are some carpets where many colors clash, creating a chaotic appearance. Good carpets possess a harmony that makes you instantly feel, "This is different."

The quality of the dye is also crucial. Cheap dyes fade over the years. Those deeply dyed with natural dyes or high-quality synthetic dyes will only mellow in color over ten years, without losing their brilliance. This is a part that is difficult to judge from photographs.

4. Weave — What the Back Reveals About the Artisan's Hand

When looking at a carpet, your eyes are first drawn to the design on the front. But what artisans on site check first is the back. As the old saying goes, "You can tell everything about a carpet by looking at its back," the reverse side truthfully reveals the weaver's skill and meticulousness.

There are three points to check: are the knots evenly aligned, are they packed tightly without gaps, and is the weft not unnecessarily protruding?

The back of a high-quality silk carpet is as beautiful as the front, soft to the touch, and the weave is astonishingly uniform. Furthermore, if you gently scratch the knots with your fingernail, you'll feel a pleasant, compact texture, without any scratchy sound. Precisely because this is a place where deception is impossible, the artisan's honesty is revealed on the back.

5. Softness — Can It Be Folded Like a Towel?

High-quality 100% silk Qom carpets are surprisingly soft. They have the suppleness to be rolled up like a towel or folded.

While the characteristics of silk itself play a role, the "beating" during weaving also greatly influences it. Each time the weft thread is passed, it is pushed in with an iron comb, and then passed and beaten again, repeatedly. If this force is applied uniformly, it results in a smooth, moderately firm texture.

First-time handlers sometimes worry, "Is it really okay to lay this on the floor?" Silk is thin yet strong, so with proper care, it can be used daily without problems.

6. Hand-Feel — The Ultimate Deciding Factor Beyond Words

The final deciding factor is, after all, the hand-feel. This alone cannot be conveyed through words or pictures.

The cool, smooth sensation unique to silk threads leaves a lasting impression once touched. Since silk is made of the same amino acid proteins as human skin, it feels like an "extension of your own skin" when touched.

If you have the opportunity to touch the real thing at a store, stroking it with your palm is the easiest way to understand. How the luster changes depending on the direction you stroke, and how quickly the pile recovers—these are things that can only be confirmed with your five senses, and ultimately become the final decisive factor.

In Conclusion

I've covered six points, but a carpet that perfectly meets all of them is, in reality, quite rare. Rather, a carpet that suits your home is one where some combination of these six points is "just right."

If you can find a carpet that isn't swayed by density, has a calm color and pattern, an honest backing, and a satisfying hand-feel, I hope you will cherish that encounter.

If you wish to see the actual items, please visit us at your convenience. We always tell our customers at Golestan that not rushing to decide is the most important thing.