【Hong Kong, October 28, 2026】Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HKD 2.53 billion, setting multiple new records. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Imperial Jadeite' series, with its exceptional quality and rarity, became the focal point of the auction, further affirming the robust momentum of the high-end jade market.
The star lot of this auction, an Imperial Green Jadeite bead necklace named 'Dewdrop of Verdant Splendor,' was ultimately hammered down for an astonishing HKD 280 million, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate of HKD 150 million to HKD 200 million, representing a 40% increase. This necklace comprises 43 exquisite Imperial Green Jadeite beads, each over 12 mm in diameter, boasting rich color, fine texture, and excellent translucency, hailed as one of the finest jadeite bead necklaces to appear on the auction market in the past decade. Additionally, another 'Blessings and Longevity' Imperial Green Jadeite carving sold for HKD 120 million, exceeding its estimate by 20%. Overall, the jadeite specialist sale at this Sotheby's autumn auction achieved a remarkable 92% sell-through rate, with a total sales value of HKD 850 million, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year.
Ms. Lisa Wong, Chairman of Sotheby's Asia Jewellery Department, stated in an interview: 'The auction results are exhilarating, especially the strong performance of Imperial Jadeite, which fully demonstrates collectors' pursuit and confidence in top-tier jade. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties, rare and high-quality jewelry and jade, particularly Imperial Jadeite with its cultural heritage significance, increasingly stand out for their value preservation and appreciation characteristics, becoming an important asset allocation choice.'
Market analyst Mr. Li Ming pointed out: 'In recent years, the high-end jade market has shown a steady growth trend. On one hand, with the continuous accumulation of wealth in Asia, the demand for luxury goods and art continues to be strong; on the other hand, the increasing depletion of high-quality jadeite resources leads to its rising scarcity, further driving up market prices. The success of this Sotheby's autumn auction, especially the premium achieved by Imperial Jadeite, indicates that in the coming years, the price of top-tier jadeite will continue to be on an upward trajectory, particularly for pieces with historical provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, or unique characteristics.'
Regionally, buyers from Greater China and Southeast Asia remained the main force in this auction. Their deep cultural affection for jadeite and investment demand are crucial drivers of market development. At the same time, we have also observed a growing interest in Oriental aesthetics among emerging collector groups from Europe and America, which is expected to become a new growth point in the future.
Looking ahead, we anticipate the high-end jade market to remain active, with its investment attributes further strengthening. However, market polarization will also become more pronounced, with prices for ordinary quality jade potentially facing adjustments, while top-tier masterpieces will continue to be highly sought after. For collectors, focusing on the jade's translucency, color, craftsmanship, carving theme, and clear provenance will be crucial investment considerations. The success of this Sotheby's autumn auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the global art market and painted a positive picture for the future development of high-end jade.