【Hong Kong, May 10, 2026】Sotheby's Spring 2026 auction witnessed remarkable performance in its 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' sale, particularly in the jadeite masterpieces section. The total sales significantly surpassed expectations, once again confirming the strong rebound of the high-end jadeite market and collectors' sustained pursuit of rare treasures.
This spring auction featured a total of 120 exquisite jadeite lots, with 108 successfully sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%, a notable increase from 78% in the same period last year. The total sales reached an astonishing HKD 350 million, a 25% increase from HKD 280 million in last year's spring auction. Several key lots were sold at prices well above their estimates, becoming the highlights of this auction.
Undoubtedly, the most anticipated lot was the 'Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace.' This rare treasure, composed of 36 finely textured, intensely colored imperial green jadeite beads, each measuring 15mm in diameter, fetched a hammer price of HKD 120 million, significantly exceeding its highest estimate of HKD 80 million, representing a premium of 50%. Another 'Icy Green Jadeite Bangle' also sold for HKD 45 million, 30% above its estimate, demonstrating strong market demand for top-tier icy jadeite. Additionally, a meticulously carved 'White Jade Seed Stone Guanyin Sculpture' achieved HKD 18 million, a 20% increase over its estimate, indicating the robust collection value of traditional white jade carvings.
Ms. Wenfen Ye, Head of Jewellery, Sotheby's Asia, stated in an interview: "The outstanding performance of jadeite masterpieces in this spring auction fully demonstrates the market's strong confidence in high-quality, traceable, and exquisitely crafted jadeite artworks. Imperial green jadeite, in particular, with its scarcity and non-renewable nature, continues to see its value climb, becoming a coveted item for top collectors worldwide. We have observed that the buyer base not only includes traditional Asian collectors but also new collectors from Europe, America, and the Middle East showing keen interest, which indicates an accelerating trend of international jadeite collecting."
Mr. Ming Li, a seasoned jadeite market analyst, pointed out: "Since 2025, the global economy has gradually recovered, and the wealth effect of high-net-worth individuals has driven activity in the luxury goods and art markets. As a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, jadeite stands out in the global art market due to its unique Eastern aesthetics and investment attributes. The data from this Sotheby's spring auction, especially the high premium sales, indicates that the market has emerged from the adjustment period of the past two years and entered a steady upward channel. It is expected that prices for top-tier imperial green jadeite and Hetian jade will continue to maintain an annual growth rate of 10-15% over the next two years."
From a macro perspective, global inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties have led investors to allocate funds to hard assets that can preserve and increase value. Jadeite, as an investment combining cultural, artistic, and scarcity value, is becoming increasingly attractive. Simultaneously, the professionalism of auction houses in lot selection, authentication, and promotion provides confidence to collectors.
Looking ahead, as the new generation of collectors deepens their understanding of jadeite culture and digital marketing methods become more widespread, the jadeite market is expected to attract more young and international buyers. However, the market's demand for jadeite quality will also become increasingly stringent, with only truly museum-grade pieces consistently achieving high premiums. The success of this Sotheby's spring auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the global jadeite market, heralding a vibrant new era of collecting.