Yes indeed you can become very knowledge at what your looking at while selecting an Oriental Rug. First rule, you don't need a rug, you want one to beautify your floor, so lets make sure you select a beauty and it sings to you everytime you look at it. Second rule stay away from the Going out of Business Sales, Motel Sales, and any merchant that screaming out save 50%, 70%! Third rule, make sure the wool, pile is even all over, get down and crawl around on the rug, feel the texture of the wool with your hands, is it soft, pliable, and a luxyrious feeling to your hand. Fourth rule, check the borders, sides and ends, are they attractive and complementing to the center, or field of the rug, are they all there and intact, complete. Fifth, does the colors appeal to you, and its design, and do you think it will enhance the setting you plan on placing it in. Sixth rule buy from a dealer whose staying in business, and has been recommended to you, or you have confidence in. Final rule, rugs are valued by the square foot, condition, quality of weave, dyes, beauty, they aren't valued to any high degree by knots per square inch, although that usual means good weave and quality, provided the weave in tight and even all over the rug, inspect the back of the rug to determine this. Happy shopping and I hope you find a rug that sings to you!