【Hong Kong, May 15, 2026】Christie'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 sell-through rate by lot was 87%, and by value, it reached an impressive 92%. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' sale performed exceptionally well, with a total turnover of HK$820 million, once again affirming the strong demand and investment potential of the high-end jadeite market.
The undisputed highlight of this auction was several top-tier jadeite cabochon lots. Notably, a natural unheated Burmese imperial green jadeite cabochon ring, aptly named 'The Eye of Imperial Green,' fetched an astonishing HK$185 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of HK$120 million, representing a premium of 54%. This cabochon weighs 15.2 carats, boasts a rich and pure color, excellent translucency and texture, and is a rare masterpiece in the market in recent years. Another necklace comprising three imperial green jadeite cabochons from the same source was sold for HK$210 million, an increase of 40% compared to its estimate of HK$150 million. All jadeite cabochon lots estimated over HK$50 million were successfully sold in this auction, with an average premium exceeding 35%, fully demonstrating collectors' pursuit of top-grade jadeite.
Ms. Shirley Shi, Chairman of Christie's Asia Jewellery Department, stated in a post-auction interview: "The success of this spring auction, particularly the outstanding performance of the jadeite cabochon section, once again proves the sustained passion of global collectors for rare and high-quality jadeite. We observe that market demand is particularly strong for natural, untreated jadeite with historical provenance and unique designs. The selling price of 'The Eye of Imperial Green' set a new record for similar lots, which is not only a testament to its intrinsic value but also a barometer of confidence for the entire high-end jadeite market."
From a market analysis perspective, although the global economy faces uncertainties, high-end art and rare jewelry, as safe-haven assets and stores of value, have seen their appeal increase rather than decrease. Jadeite, in particular, with its scarcity of resources, cultural attributes, and wearable value, holds a unique position globally. In recent years, with the continuous accumulation of wealth in Asia and the enhancement of aesthetic concepts, the collector base for top-tier jadeite has grown steadily, driving a stable increase in prices.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: "The data from this Christie's spring auction clearly indicates that the high-end jadeite market, especially for imperial green cabochons, has entered a new upward channel. Collectors are no longer solely focused on carat weight but pay more attention to the comprehensive quality of translucency, color, craftsmanship, and provenance. We anticipate this trend will continue in the coming years, and the investment value of high-quality jadeite will become even more prominent. At the same time, with the increasing difficulty of mining raw jadeite in Myanmar and stricter regulations, the supply of high-quality raw materials will continue to decrease, which will further push up the prices of finished jadeite products."
Looking ahead, Christie's will continue to cultivate the Asian market and discover more promising rare jewels and artworks. The success of this spring auction undoubtedly lays a solid foundation for the upcoming autumn auction and injects new vitality and confidence into the global jewelry market.