Silk rugs are admired for their fine detail and their glow, but not every shiny rug is silk. Here are the main things to look at.
The sheen changes with the light. Real silk shows different tones when you look at the rug from opposite ends, because light reflects differently on the fibres. Viscose and other imitations often look flat and uniformly glossy.
The feel. Silk is smooth, cool to the touch and very fine. The pile is short and dense, which allows very detailed patterns with sharp outlines.
The knots. Turn the rug over: on a fine silk rug the back shows a very high number of small, regular knots and the design is almost as clear as on the front.
Mixed materials. Many rugs combine silk with wool, or use silk only for highlights and outlines. This is normal in handwoven rugs and is not a defect.
Care. Silk is delicate. Vacuum gently with a soft brush attachment, keep it away from strong direct sunlight, and place it where it will not be walked on heavily.
If you are unsure about a rug, ask us: we are happy to send additional photos of the front and the back. Browse our Silk Rugs collection.