【Beijing, May 20, 2026】The highly anticipated Beijing Council 2026 Spring Art Auction recently concluded successfully. As one of the highlights of this auction, the Hetian Jade Pendants special session performed remarkably, with impressive transaction data, once again confirming the strong demand and steady growth of the high-end jade market. This special session featured a total of 120 exquisite Hetian jade pendants, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving a high transaction rate of 90%. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, an increase of 15.6% compared to the total transaction value of similar sessions in the 2025 Spring Auction.
This auction saw numerous highlights, with several Hetian jade pendants setting new transaction records for similar items. Among them, a “White Jade Seed Material Chilong Dragon Pendant”, with its warm jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, sparked fierce bidding on-site, finally selling for RMB 18.5 million, significantly exceeding its pre-auction estimate (RMB 8-12 million), becoming the top lot of this session. Another piece, a “Celadon Jade Carved Lotus and Fish Pendant”, with its delicate jade quality and vivid carving, sold for RMB 9.8 million, achieving a premium rate of 120%. In addition, many exquisite pieces estimated in the million-yuan range also sold for 20%-50% above their estimates, demonstrating the market's strong pursuit of high-quality Hetian jade.
From the transaction data, the average unit price of Hetian jade pendants in this special session reached RMB 1.713 million, an increase of approximately 10% compared to the same period last year. This data indicates that even amidst overall economic uncertainties, Hetian jade, which combines scarcity, artistry, and cultural value, remains a preferred choice for collectors seeking risk aversion and asset allocation. Especially fine pieces with master carving, historical provenance, or special themes, have shown particularly outstanding price performance.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The success of the Hetian jade pendants at this Beijing Council Spring Auction is a direct reflection of the market's response to the scarcity of high-quality resources. In recent years, the mining volume of Hetian jade seed material has continued to decrease, making high-quality jade increasingly rare, which directly drives up the prices of finished products. At the same time, with the increasing maturity of the domestic collector base, their appreciation for jade has continuously improved, and they are more inclined to collect exquisite pieces that possess both artistic value and cultural connotations. The endorsement of master carvers further adds unique artistic added value to the lots.”
Professor Wang, a renowned jade connoisseur, also stated: “From this auction, it can be seen that the market's aesthetic preference for Hetian jade is becoming more diversified. In addition to traditional white jade, some high-quality celadon jade and spinach jade have also gained favor among collectors. Furthermore, innovation in themes and advancements in carving techniques have brought new growth points to Hetian jade pendants. In the future, we expect the Hetian jade market to continue its steady growth, but collectors should still focus on a comprehensive consideration of jade quality, craftsmanship, theme, and provenance when investing, to avoid blindly following trends.”
Looking ahead, with the resurgence of traditional Chinese culture, Hetian jade, as a representative of Chinese jade culture, will continue to have its market value and collection potential explored. Beijing Council Auction will continue to deeply cultivate the jade field, presenting more exquisite pieces to collectors, and contributing to the inheritance and development of Chinese jade art and culture.