【Hong Kong, November 18, 2026】Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' sale performing exceptionally well. Multiple top-tier jadeite masterpieces sold for prices significantly exceeding their estimates, once again affirming the strong collecting demand and investment value of the high-end jadeite market.
In this autumn auction, Sotheby's presented over 200 lots of jewelry and jadeite, achieving a total sales figure of HKD 1.25 billion, surpassing the pre-sale high estimate by 15%. Among these, jadeite lots were the most prominent, with a total sales value of HKD 680 million, accounting for 54.4% of the total sales in the jewelry section. The sell-through rate reached an impressive 92%, an increase of 5 percentage points compared to the same period last year, indicating strong market enthusiasm for high-quality jadeite.
Regarding the highlight lots, a natural Burmese jadeite bead necklace named 'Imperial Green', composed of 36 plump and lustrous beads ranging from 12.5mm to 15.8mm in diameter, boasting a rich and even color with fine and translucent texture, ultimately hammered for an astonishing HKD 210 million. This far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of HKD 150 million, setting a new record for similar pieces in the past three years. Another highly anticipated lot was the 'Congealed Fat' natural ice-type jadeite bangle, whose warm, jade-like texture and flawless condition attracted numerous collectors, eventually selling for HKD 85 million, 30% above its estimate. Additionally, a Qing Dynasty imperial white jade carved 'Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl' brush pot sold for HKD 42 million, highlighting the unique status of antique jade in the market.
Ms. Wenfen Ye, Head of Jewellery, Sotheby's Asia, stated in an interview: "The success of the jadeite section in this autumn auction once again proves the rarity and irreplicability of top-tier jadeite and fine white jade. They continue to be regarded as stable stores of value and safe-haven investments amidst increasing global economic uncertainties. We observe that collectors from Greater China, Southeast Asia, and even the Middle East continue to show strong interest in high-end jadeite, with particularly fierce bidding for pieces with historical provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and perfect condition."
Market analyst Mr. Li Ming pointed out: "The data from the Autumn 2026 auction indicates that the high-end jadeite market is on a steady upward trajectory. Despite multiple global economic challenges, the demand for rare art pieces among ultra-high-net-worth individuals has not diminished. Especially for natural, untreated jadeite with excellent 'zhong' (translucency), 'shui' (clarity), and 'se' (color), its price elasticity is small, and its resistance to depreciation is strong, suggesting long-term appreciation potential. The sale of multiple lots significantly exceeding their estimates reflects a generally optimistic market expectation for the future value of jadeite. Simultaneously, we also see that collectors' aesthetic appreciation and connoisseurship of jadeite are continuously improving, with increasing emphasis on factors such as origin, carving, and cultural connotations, which is driving the market towards greater rationality and maturity."
Looking ahead, industry experts generally believe that with the continuous accumulation of global wealth and the enhancement of cultural confidence, the high-end jadeite market will continue to maintain its unique charm and investment value. Rare and precious jadeite, especially collector's items reaching 'museum-grade' standards, are expected to see continued steady price increases. However, for ordinary investors, entering the jadeite market still requires caution; professional connoisseurship and accurate grasp of market trends are crucial to avoid blind speculation and investment risks.