Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Auction: Southern Red Agate Emerges as a Dark Horse, Market Enthusiasm Continues to Soar

【Beijing, November 15, 2026】 The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The total transaction value of this autumn auction reached RMB 1.28 billion, with a high success rate of 82.5%, continuing the steady growth trend of the Chinese art market in recent years. Among them, the much-watched “Treasures and Elegance” special session performed particularly well, especially the Southern Red Agate section, which became the biggest highlight of this auction with its excellent transaction performance and continuously rising market enthusiasm.

Southern Red Agate Sector Shines with Impressive Transaction Data, Multiple Masterpieces Set New Records

This autumn auction featured a total of 68 Southern Red Agate lots, with 62 ultimately sold, achieving an impressive success rate of 91.2%. The total transaction value reached RMB 158 million, a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2025, demonstrating strong market demand. Notably, a Qing Dynasty “Persimmon Red” Southern Red Agate carving of a chi-dragon and auspicious beast, weighing 280 grams, was hammered at an astonishing price of RMB 28 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 12 million - 18 million), with a premium rate of 55.5%, setting a new auction record for similar pieces. Another contemporary master-carved “Splendid Mountains and Rivers” Southern Red Agate hand-held piece also sold for RMB 8.5 million, 30% higher than its estimate, highlighting the value of contemporary Southern Red Agate carving art.

Market Analysis: Driven by Scarcity, Cultural Value, and Investment Attributes

Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The market performance of Southern Red Agate in recent years is the result of the combined effects of its scarcity, profound cultural value, and increasingly prominent investment attributes. High-quality Southern Red Agate raw material resources are becoming increasingly depleted, especially top-grade materials such as ‘Persimmon Red’ and ‘Jin Red,’ which are inherently rare, coupled with the difficulty of mining, leading to their continuous increase in value. At the same time, Southern Red Agate symbolizes auspiciousness and wealth in traditional Chinese culture, making it highly favored by collectors. Furthermore, with the maturation of the art investment market, Southern Red Agate, as a collectible with stable appreciation potential, has attracted more and more investors.”

Ms. Wang Li, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Council International Auction House and Head of the Treasures Department, stated: “The excellent performance of Southern Red Agate in this autumn auction once again confirms that our strategic layout for this sector is correct. We have observed that collectors are becoming increasingly knowledgeable about Southern Red Agate, not only focusing on the quality of the material itself but also paying more attention to its craftsmanship, age, and cultural connotations. In the future, we will continue to be committed to discovering more high-quality Southern Red Agate masterpieces with cultural heritage value to meet the growing market demand.”

Trend Forecast: Southern Red Agate Market to Maintain Steady Growth

Looking ahead, the industry generally believes that the Southern Red Agate market will continue to maintain a steady growth trend. On the one hand, with the continuous increase in high-net-worth individuals, the demand for rare art and collectibles will remain strong. On the other hand, as a non-renewable resource, the scarcity of Southern Red Agate will become more prominent, thus supporting its long-term price increase. However, experts also remind collectors that when investing in Southern Red Agate, it is crucial to pay attention to its quality, origin, craftsmanship, and authenticity identification, avoiding blind following and investing rationally.

The successful holding of this Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Auction not only injected new vitality into the Chinese art market but also re-established the unique position of Southern Red Agate in the collecting world. With the appearance of more exquisite Southern Red Agate pieces, we have reason to believe that this ancient and beautiful gemstone will shine even brighter in the future art market.