Hong Kong, May 28, 2026 – Sotheby's Hong Kong Spring 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HK$2.85 billion, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates. The highly anticipated 'Imperial Jadeite' special session was particularly striking, once again affirming the robust purchasing power and continuous appreciation potential of the high-end jade market.
The undisputed highlight of this auction was Lot 3018, the 'Dewdrop Green' Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace, which ultimately hammered for an astonishing HK$580 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of HK$350 million, an impressive premium of 65.7%. This necklace, composed of 27 imperial green jadeite beads of uniform color and exquisite texture, each with a diameter exceeding 15 millimeters, is considered one of the finest and largest imperial green jadeite bead necklaces to appear on the auction market in the past decade. According to the Chairman of Sotheby's Asia Jewellery Department, the piece was acquired by an anonymous Asian collector via telephone bid, demonstrating the strong pursuit of rare treasures by top collectors.
In addition to 'Dewdrop Green', another piece, Lot 3025, a 'Fuk Luk Sau' tri-color jadeite carving, sold for HK$120 million, a 50% increase from its HK$80 million estimate. Overall, the 'Imperial Jadeite' special session achieved a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%, with total sales reaching HK$1.25 billion, accounting for 43.8% of the total auction value, fully demonstrating the dominant position of high-end jadeite in the current market.
Market analyst Li Ming stated: "The results of this Sotheby's spring auction once again prove that in the context of increasing global economic uncertainty, rare, high-quality artworks and jewelry, especially treasures like Imperial Green Jadeite with cultural heritage and unique aesthetic value, remain the preferred choice for capital preservation and appreciation. Its scarcity, non-renewability, and the profound heritage of Eastern culture endow it with investment attributes that transcend ordinary luxury goods."
From the data, over the past three years, the average annual appreciation rate for top-tier jadeite has maintained between 15% and 20%, while imperial green jadeite with excellent quality and clear provenance has seen even higher appreciation. The high premium achieved by multiple lots in this auction will undoubtedly further stimulate investment enthusiasm for high-end jadeite.
However, market participants also point out that not all jadeite possesses high investment value. Wang Lina, an expert from Sotheby's Asia Jewellery Department, emphasized: "When selecting jadeite, investors must focus on its '种水' (translucency and texture), color, craftsmanship, and size. Only jadeite reaching the 'old pit glass type' and 'imperial green' levels, with exquisite carving and perfect condition, possesses long-term collection and investment potential. For ordinary investors, blindly following trends or pursuing low prices may entail significant risks."
Looking ahead, with the continuous growth of wealth in Asia and the deepening appreciation for traditional cultural artworks, the high-end jade market, especially top-tier jadeite, is expected to maintain strong growth momentum. Sotheby's impressive performance in this spring auction undoubtedly sets a positive tone for the global art and jewelry market in 2026, heralding a new era of collecting full of opportunities and challenges.