【Hong Kong, November 15, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Autumn 2026 Auction concluded successfully, achieving a total sale of US$250 million, exceeding its high pre-sale estimate by 15%, with a strong sell-through rate of 88%. The highly anticipated Jewels and Jadeite section performed exceptionally well, recording a total sale of US$85 million and a sell-through rate of 92%, once again affirming the robust resilience of the high-end jadeite market and collectors' sustained pursuit of rare treasures.
The undeniable highlight of this auction was several top-tier imperial jade cabochons. Among them, an oval-shaped 'Imperial Green' jadeite cabochon (dimensions: 2.2cm x 1.8cm x 1.0cm), boasting rich, even color and fine, translucent texture, fetched an astonishing US$18.5 million, significantly surpassing its pre-sale estimate of US$12 million to US$15 million, representing a premium of 23.3%. According to Christie's, this cabochon was acquired by an Asian private collector. Another necklace comprising three 'Icy Green' jadeite cabochons of similar color and size also sold for US$12.8 million, an increase of 28% from its estimate of US$7 million to US$10 million. Overall, the average selling price of jadeite cabochons in this auction increased by approximately 15% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating strong growth momentum for this category in the high-end market.
Mr. Li Ming, a seasoned auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The data from this Christie's autumn auction once again proves that against the backdrop of increasing macroeconomic uncertainties, top-tier jadeite, as a scarce hard asset, its value preservation and appreciation characteristics are becoming increasingly prominent. Especially jadeite cabochons reaching 'Imperial Green' or 'Icy Green' grades, due to the extremely high demands on raw materials, significant cutting loss, and limited market circulation, their value continues to climb. We anticipate that in the next few years, the prices of high-quality jadeite cabochons will maintain a steady upward trend, with an average annual increase expected to remain between 10% and 18%."
From the perspective of buyer demographics, Asian collectors remain the main force in the high-end jadeite market, accounting for over 70%. Simultaneously, we have observed a growing interest in Oriental aesthetics from new collectors in Europe and America, who are actively participating in the bidding for top-tier jadeite, injecting new vitality into the market. Ms. Shirley Shi, Head of Jewellery at Christie's Asia, stated: "We are delighted to see the undiminished enthusiasm of global collectors for top-tier jadeite. The success of this auction not only reflects Christie's professional discernment in selecting precious items but also reflects the strong market demand for high-quality, reliably sourced jadeite jewelry. Especially jadeite pieces with unique designs and historical provenance often achieve surprisingly high prices."
Regarding market trends, in addition to traditional jadeite cabochons and bangles, jadeite jewelry with strong design aesthetics and exquisite setting craftsmanship is increasingly favored by younger generations of collectors. In the future, jadeite pieces that combine both investment value and artistic beauty will be more competitive in the market. However, it is worth noting that ordinary quality or unverified jadeite continues to perform modestly in the market, and even faces downward price pressure. This further emphasizes that in the field of jadeite collection, quality, rarity, and credibility are key factors determining value.
Looking ahead to 2027, with the gradual global economic recovery and increased demand for rare asset allocation, the high-end jadeite market is expected to remain active. Auction houses and dealers will focus more on the quality, provenance, and storytelling of their offerings to meet the increasingly sophisticated and discerning collector base. Concurrently, the application of technology in authentication and traceability will further enhance market transparency and trust, providing strong assurance for the healthy development of the jadeite market.