【Hong Kong, May 18, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Spring 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales value of US$235 million, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate. The sell-through rate by lot reached an impressive 88%, and by value, it was 92%. Notably, the highly anticipated Jewels and Jadeite sale performed exceptionally well, with a total of over US$85 million, once again affirming the strong purchasing power in the high-end jewelry market.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of this auction was a set of twelve 'Imperial Green' jadeite cabochons. Their intense color, fine texture, and excellent translucency were hailed as rare treasures in the market over the past decade. This set of cabochons ultimately hammered down at an astonishing US$25 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of US$15 million, representing a remarkable increase of 66.67%. It was acquired by an anonymous Asian private collector. According to Christie's Head of Jewellery, Asia, this set of cabochons is perfect in terms of clarity, color, and craftsmanship, and its rarity dictates its high market value.
In addition to the jadeite cabochons, several other high-quality jadeite jewelry pieces also performed well. An icy-green jadeite bangle weighing 50 carats sold for US$12 million, an increase of 20% over its pre-sale estimate; a pair of vibrant green jadeite earrings also changed hands for US$5.8 million, achieving a 100% sell-through rate. Overall, jadeite lots achieved a 95% sell-through rate, accounting for over 60% of the total sales in the jewelry session, demonstrating the market's continued strong demand for top-tier jadeite.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "The results of this Christie's Spring Auction once again prove that in the context of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-quality, rare jadeite, as a hard currency and an asset for value preservation and appreciation, maintains its solid investment and collection value. Especially top-grade jadeite like 'Imperial Green,' its price is almost unaffected by macroeconomic fluctuations, and instead shows an upward trend year by year due to increasingly depleted resources."
Ms. Wang Li, Vice President of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, also stated: "Currently, the demand from high-net-worth individuals globally for unique and culturally rich jewelry is growing. As a treasure of Eastern culture, jadeite's unique charm and rarity give it an irreplaceable position in the global luxury market. The success of this auction will undoubtedly further boost market confidence and may lead to further activity in the mid-to-high-end jadeite market."
From a market trend perspective, prices for top-tier jadeite are expected to continue their steady growth in the coming years. On the one hand, the mining of high-quality jadeite rough is becoming increasingly difficult, leading to a continuous reduction in supply; on the other hand, the awareness and purchasing power of affluent classes in Asia, particularly mainland China and Hong Kong, continue to rise. It is anticipated that jadeite artworks with historical provenance or unique design concepts will also receive more attention in the future.
However, market participants also caution that for ordinary investors, investing in jadeite still requires prudence. The identification of jadeite is highly specialized, and fakes and treated items are rampant. Investors are advised to seek professional appraisal services and prioritize reputable auction houses and brand merchants to mitigate risks and ensure investment value.