Jan David Winitz touts his rugs as a non-correlated investment asset in the San Francisco Chronicle profile of his business:

His active clients include more than 40 people from Forbes’ list of the world’s richest billionaires, two Nobel prize winners, rock stars, Hollywood types and Silicon Valley executives. Over the past few years, as the economy has sputtered, he has seen a marked increase in customers who make their living in finance – investment bankers, fund managers and venture capitalists. “They, in particular, see the rugs as a compelling arena for diversification, as precious tangible assets become a more central investment option,” said Winitz, 55, who founded the company in 1980 with his wife, Christine, and a silent partner.

Claremont Rug Co. thrives in bad economy (San Francisco Chronicle)