My Jade Auction Battles: From Bargain Hunting to Pitfall Avoiding, a Restorer's Exclusive Experience Sharing

When it comes to jade collection, many people first think of the dazzling stalls in antique markets or the sky-high prices of items in auction houses. I, a master jade restorer for over twenty years, am all too familiar with both scenarios. Today, I want to share my experiences at jade auctions, hoping to provide some practical collection advice, help you avoid pitfalls, and find more good pieces.

Setting the Scene:
I remember it was more than ten years ago when I first started getting involved with auction houses. At that time, I had some spare money and a certain appreciation for jade. I always hoped to find a 'bargain' at an auction. The first time I went, I was nervous, afraid of buying fakes, and also afraid of missing out on good items. What happened? My first bid was on a seemingly good Qing Dynasty jade pendant. When I got home and examined it closely, alas, the 'qin' color was artificially made, and the jade quality was mediocre. It was a significant tuition fee. From then on, I realized that the waters of the auction market were much deeper than I had imagined.

Core Skill: Pre-auction Homework is Paramount

• Know Yourself and Your Opponent, and You Will Win Every Battle: Before each auction, I always get the catalog in advance and spend a lot of time studying the detailed information of the lots. This includes the age, material, craftsmanship, provenance, condition, and estimated price of the item. I focus on lots with clear provenance and transparent origins. For those with vague descriptions or overly general statements, I am especially wary. Remember, auction houses are not charities; they will try to beautify the items, but they won't lie. The key is whether you can read between the lines.

• On-site Preview, Seeing is Believing: No matter how exquisite the pictures in the catalog are, they cannot compare to the actual object. I always go to the preview in person and carefully examine every item I'm interested in. I bring a magnifying glass, a flashlight, and even some small tools from my repair kit, such as a fine probe, to check the carving details, depth of 'qin' color, hidden cracks, repair marks, etc., of the jade. Especially for old jade, I pay special attention to the naturalness of its patina and skin, which are often important indicators for judging authenticity and age. Once, I discovered a tiny hidden crack on a Ming Dynasty jade bi, advertised as 'perfect condition,' by using the strong light of a flashlight. Although it didn't affect the overall aesthetics, it was enough for me to re-evaluate its value.

• Horizontal Comparison, Be Well-Informed: At the preview, I compare the items I'm interested in with other similar items, both from the same auction and those I've seen or learned about before. Through comparison, I can better judge the rarity, craftsmanship, and market value of the item. At the same time, I also pay attention to the historical auction prices of similar items, which helps me set a reasonable psychological price.

• Stay Calm, Don't Be Impulsive: The atmosphere at an auction can easily make your adrenaline surge, especially when several people are locked in a bidding war. At this time, it is crucial to remain calm and strictly adhere to your predetermined maximum psychological price. I have seen too many people impulsively bid high prices for items that were not worth it. My experience is that if you reach your psychological price, give up decisively, because good things will always appear again.

• Observe Bidders: Sometimes, observing the actions of other bidders can also provide some information. Are they professional collectors or newcomers? Is their bidding decisive? Of course, this is only an auxiliary judgment and cannot be the main basis.

• Commission and Taxes: Don't forget that the final hammer price will also include the auction house's commission and potentially taxes. These fees can add up to a considerable amount, so be sure to calculate them in advance to avoid exceeding your budget.

Over the years, I've had both the joy of 'finding bargains' and the lessons of 'making mistakes' at auctions. But I always firmly believe that no matter what you collect, knowledge and experience are the most valuable assets. Auctions are not gambling; they are a comprehensive battle that tests eyesight, knowledge, and mindset. For us jade restorers, every repair is a deep learning experience about jade and a profound understanding of jade culture. These accumulations ultimately transform into my confidence at the auction house.

Finally, I want to say that the most important thing about collecting jade is passion. When you truly understand and love it, you will naturally discover its beauty and go further on the path of collecting. I wish all fellow collectors success at auctions and the acquisition of cherished treasures!