Hong Kong, April 28, 2026 – Sotheby's Spring Sale 2026 concluded successfully today, achieving a total sales figure of HKD 2.53 billion, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with a sell-through rate of 89.5%. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Imperial Jadeite' special session performed exceptionally well, once again confirming the strong momentum of the high-end jade market.
The highlight of this auction was undoubtedly the 'Imperial Jadeite' special session, which presented 35 exquisite pieces. Notably, a natural Burmese old-mine imperial green jadeite bead necklace named 'Congealed Verdant Splendor' hammered for an astonishing HKD 320 million, setting a new record for similar items in the past five years. This represents a premium of 28% compared to its pre-sale estimate of HKD 250 million. The necklace comprises 38 perfectly round beads, each exceeding 15mm in diameter, boasting rich color, delicate texture, and lustrous sheen, truly a masterpiece of nature. Another lot, an oval-shaped imperial green jadeite ring weighing 20.5 carats, was sold for HKD 180 million, an increase of 20% from its estimate of HKD 150 million, demonstrating collectors' pursuit of rare large-sized jadeite.
Overall, the 'Imperial Jadeite' special session achieved a remarkable sell-through rate of 95%, with a total sales figure of HKD 1.25 billion, accounting for nearly half of the total sales of this spring auction. This data not only reflects the unique position of top-tier jadeite in the global collecting community but also indicates that the high-end jade market will remain active in the coming years.
Wen Hao, Head of Sotheby's Asia Jewellery Department, stated: "We are very pleased with the results of this spring sale, especially the performance of the 'Imperial Jadeite' session, which exceeded expectations. This once again proves that jadeite of top quality and rarity holds extremely high value and strong market demand globally. The uncertainty in the global economy has, in fact, prompted high-net-worth collectors to invest in hard assets with potential for value preservation and appreciation, and imperial jadeite is undoubtedly a leader among them."
Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "In recent years, the growth of global wealth and the return to traditional culture in Asia have jointly driven the prosperity of the high-end jade market. Especially for imperial green jadeite, which possesses rarity, historical heritage, and artistic value, its price has shown a steady upward trend. The success of this Sotheby's spring sale, particularly the record-breaking transaction of the 'Congealed Verdant Splendor' necklace, will further boost market confidence and may lead to an increase in prices for mid-to-high-end jadeite. However, we should also note that the market's pickiness regarding quality is increasing, and only truly museum-grade masterpieces can gain high recognition from collectors."
From a market trend perspective, in the coming years, several factors will continue to influence the high-end jade market: firstly, the scarcity of origin and quality will remain key determinants of price; secondly, the pursuit of design and cultural connotation by younger generations of collectors will inject new vitality into the jade market; finally, global economic conditions and geopolitical factors will continue to be important external variables affecting market fluctuations. Nevertheless, experts generally believe that, under considerations of long-term investment and asset allocation, the value of top-tier jadeite will continue to grow steadily.