[Beijing, November 18, 2026] China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total turnover of RMB 3.25 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.3%, representing a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. The 'Jade and Jewelry' special session was particularly outstanding, with a total turnover exceeding RMB 580 million and a sell-through rate of 91.5%, indicating a strong recovery in the high-end jade market. The highlight of this autumn auction was undoubtedly several rare Hetian jade carvings, whose excellent material, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound cultural connotations attracted fierce bidding from numerous collectors.
Featured Lots: Hetian Jade Carvings Achieve Repeated Success
One of the star lots of this auction, a 'White Jade Carving of Immortal Mountains and Pavilions' from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, became the focus of the entire event due to its delicate and warm jade quality, intricate carving, and magnificent composition. The carving was finally hammered at RMB 125 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of RMB 80 million, with a premium rate as high as 56.25%, setting a new auction record for Hetian jade carvings in the past five years. Another 'Spinach Green Jade Carving of Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl' from the mid-Qing Dynasty, weighing 35 kilograms, with deep green jade and lifelike, majestic dragon figures, was sold for RMB 88 million after multiple rounds of bidding, 46.67% higher than its estimated price of RMB 60 million. In addition, a set of three 'Modern Master Carved Hetian Jade Seed Carvings', with their unique artistic style and rare seed jade material, also achieved a transaction price of RMB 35 million, demonstrating the value of contemporary jade carving art.
Market Analysis: Strong Demand for High-End Jade, Investment Attributes Highlighted
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The excellent performance of Hetian jade carvings in this Guardian autumn auction is not accidental. In the context of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-quality artworks, especially Hetian jade with its scarcity, cultural significance, and value preservation and appreciation attributes, are becoming an important choice for asset allocation among high-net-worth individuals. The high-premium transactions in this auction generally featured 'excellent material, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound meaning,' indicating that collectors' aesthetic and investment perspectives on jade are becoming increasingly mature."
Ms. Wang Li, head of China Guardian's Jade Department, also stated: "We have observed a sustained strong demand for top-grade Hetian jade, especially those with clear provenance, perfect condition, and historical and cultural value. The buyer structure also shows a diversified trend, with not only traditional collectors but also many new entrepreneurs and institutional investors joining, who value the long-term investment value and artistic collection attributes of Hetian jade."
Trend Forecast: Future Market to Be More Rational and Boutique-Oriented
Looking ahead, industry experts generally believe that the Hetian jade market will show a polarized trend. On the one hand, the prices of ordinary quality jade may remain stable or even slightly decrease; on the other hand, the value of top-grade Hetian jade, especially rare seed jade, master carvings, and exquisite pieces with historical and cultural backgrounds, will continue to rise. The market will pay more attention to the cultural connotation, artistic value, and scarcity of jade, rather than blindly pursuing 'whiteness' or 'size.'
At the same time, with increased information transparency and improved appreciation levels, collectors will pay more attention to the authenticity, quality, and origin of jade. Auction houses and professional institutions will play a more important role in guiding the healthy development of the market. It is expected that in the next few years, the Hetian jade market will enter a more rational, boutique-oriented, and internationally-minded development stage.