【Hong Kong, October 28, 2026】Sotheby's Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HKD 2.53 billion, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates. The highly anticipated “Imperial Jadeite” specialist sale was particularly outstanding, once again confirming the strong growth momentum in the high-end jade market.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of this autumn sale was the “Dewdrop Jade” Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace from a private collection. This necklace, strung with 36 exquisitely crafted, uniformly colored Imperial green jadeite beads, finally hammered at an astonishing HKD 680 million, setting a new world auction record for jadeite jewelry. Its pre-sale estimate was HKD 450 million to HKD 550 million, and the final transaction price exceeded the upper estimate by 23.6%, demonstrating the undiminished enthusiasm of collectors for top-tier jadeite. In addition, another “Fu Lu Shou” three-color jadeite carving also sold for a high price of HKD 120 million, exceeding its estimate by 50%. The entire “Imperial Jadeite” specialist sale featured 25 lots, achieving a remarkable sell-through rate of 92% and a total sales value of HKD 1.05 billion, accounting for 41.5% of the total sales of this autumn auction.
Overall, the sell-through rate of this Sotheby's autumn sale reached 88%, an increase of 5 percentage points compared to the same period last year. The average price per lot also rose from HKD 20 million last year to HKD 28 million, an increase of 40%. This indicates that under the current macroeconomic environment, art and jewelry are increasingly prominent as safe-haven assets, especially rare and historically and culturally valuable top-tier collectibles, whose value preservation and appreciation potential are highly favored by the market.
Market analyst Li Ming stated: “The data from this Sotheby's autumn sale once again confirms our optimistic outlook for the high-end jade market, especially the Imperial Jadeite segment. Against the backdrop of global inflationary pressures and increasing geopolitical uncertainties, capital is accelerating its flow into hard assets with scarcity and cultural attributes. Imperial jadeite, due to its non-renewable nature, unique Eastern aesthetic value, and profound cultural heritage, has become a preferred choice for asset allocation among high-net-worth individuals. In the coming years, we expect the price of top-tier jadeite to maintain a steady upward trend, with an average annual increase of 10%-15%.”
Ms. Wang Li, a senior jewelry connoisseur, also pointed out: “The successful sale of ‘Dewdrop Jade’ is not only a testament to its exceptional quality but also a recognition by the market of rare, well-documented jadeite treasures. Each bead in this necklace meets the ultimate standard of glass-like Imperial green jadeite, and they are remarkably large in size with a subtle luster, truly a rare sight. It is not just a piece of jewelry, but a work of art, carrying the accumulation of history and the charm of culture. In the future, jadeite pieces that combine aesthetic value, rarity, and historical provenance will continue to lead the market trend.”
Looking ahead, with the continuous growth of wealth in Asia and the increasing maturity of collecting concepts, the high-end jade market, particularly Imperial jadeite, is expected to maintain its status as an important investment category. Auction houses, when selecting lots, will pay more attention to their rarity, craftsmanship, and cultural connotations to meet the increasingly discerning demands of collectors. At the same time, advancements in online auctions and digital display technologies will also provide more convenient access for global collectors, further invigorating market activity.