Step into any computer store and there are racks and racks of books made for people -"For Dummies"- who want to learn how to navigate a computer and its software.

In the rug buying world there isn't such a book -"For Dummies"- and so while most of us can appreciate the beauty of a fine Oriental rug we settle for rugs of a lesser quality and price.

Abdul Hafeez, owner of Premium Rugs, said that there are many things to consider when selecting a top quality Oriental rug. To be a fine rug, the rug has to be made out of natural fiber handwoven in Persia, China, Pakistan, Turkey or India, Hafeez said. Rugs woven from 100% wool from New. Zealand or England are highly desirable. Always look at the back of the rug when shopping for a fine rug. The backs of fine rugs consist of wool, cotton or silk.

Next consider how many knots per square inch the rug offers. The more knots per square inch the better the rug is and probably the more expensive it will be also.

To determine how many knots per square inch a rug has, you must multiply the number of knots horizontally and the number of knots vertically in one square inch. For instance, if the rug has 20 knots horizontally and 20 knots vertically in one square inch there are 400 knots per square inch. Fine rugs range from 200 knots per square inch and up.

In addition to how many knots, the type of knot determines the quality and price in fine rugs. There are two types of knots- Turkish and Persian. Turkish and Persian knots simply determine how the threads are wrapped around the warp-the vertical threads that form the foundation of the carpet

Single-knotted rugs are the least expensive and double-knotted rugs are the most expensive. The tighter the weave the more desirable the rug is because it is more durable and prevents dirt from sinking into the weave.

The very popular hand-tufted rugs are produced with a hand held sun that inserts the threads and basically fills in the gaps of the design, Hafeez said.

Chinese sculpture rugs, featured in many Home front homes, are also very popular. These rugs have thicker wool so individual designs can be sculpted out of the pile.

When buying an antique rug there are. many factors that determine price. Factors include what they look like, where they are from and their condition.

The most important thing to remember is that a fine rug is an investment, Hafeez said. "It is an investment you can actually walk on," he added.

Hafeez encourages consumers to buy fine rugs only from ORRA (Oriental Rug Retailers of America, Inc.) members and to obtain a Certificate of Authentication with any rug purchase.

For young families, Hafeez suggests machine made rugs. Even though they are not as beautiful and as durable as a fine Oriental rug, they are better for high traffic areas and can be replaced easily, he said.

The price of a machine made rug is largely reflective in how easy it was to produce and the synthetic materials used. "They don't have the look or feel of a fine rug," he said.

Arlyne Robbins of Athena Carpet Mills also shared her thoughts on rug buying and the many types and styles available in her warehouse.

Tibetan rugs are a beautiful choice for any home. These handmade and hand-knotted rugs are very thick because of the heavily coated sheep that provide the wool.

Turkish and Chinese kilims also add beauty to any decor. A kilim is a rug woven in the flat weave technique. Flat weave is easy to identify because the design represented on the top is the same as the bottom. When examining a Turkish kilim you can see the knots and where individual threads were joined. Chinese kilims are somewhat different because the stitches are much closer and finer.

Wool or cotton hooked rugs are also a favorite at Athena Carpet Mills. "Hooked rugs have a sophisticated informality," Robbins said. The loop on a hand-hooked rug varies in size - large or small.

Robbins said that with a little practice it is easy to tell the difference between the handmade and machine made rugs.

To identify a handmade rug look at its back and investigate the weave. If the weave extends straight into the fringe it is likely it is a handmade rug.

A hand-tufted rug can be identified as always having a back to protect the threads on the underside of the rug.

Machine made rugs have machine made finished edges and attached fringe.

Lastly, any rug dealer will tell you to do your homework before buying a fine Oriental rug or a machine made rug. Prices for rugs range all across the board so it is very important for consumers to understand what they are paying for.