【Hong Kong, May 18, 2026】Sotheby's Spring 2026 auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of $1.25 billion, once again setting a new record for a spring auction in Asia. The highly anticipated 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' sale was particularly outstanding, with a total turnover of $380 million and a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%, demonstrating the strong demand and investor confidence in the high-end jade market.

The undisputed highlight of this auction was the 'Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace,' estimated at $80 million to $120 million. This necklace, strung with 36 flawless, intensely colored, and finely textured imperial green jadeite beads, ultimately sold for an astonishing $150 million, an 87.5% premium over its lowest estimate. It was acquired by an anonymous Asian collector, setting a new global record for jadeite auctions in the past decade. Furthermore, another 'Old Mine Icy Green Jadeite Bangle' fetched $35 million, significantly exceeding its $20 million estimate with a 75% increase. Overall, high-end jadeite lots generally sold for 20% to 80% above their estimates.

Ms. Wenfen Ye, Head of Jewellery, Sotheby's Asia, stated at the press conference: "The success of this spring auction, particularly the astounding performance of the Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace, once again confirms the scarcity and irreplaceable value of top-tier jadeite in the global collecting market. We observe that amidst increasing macroeconomic uncertainties, high-quality, clearly sourced, and well-documented rare jewels and jadeite are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for high-net-worth individuals for asset allocation and value preservation."

Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:

Data from this Sotheby's spring auction clearly reveals several significant trends in the current high-end jade market:

  • Scarcity Premium Continues to Rise: Top-tier Imperial Green Jadeite, due to its non-renewable resources and extremely high requirements for rough quality and cutting craftsmanship, is seeing its value further re-evaluated by the market. In this auction, perfectly conditioned Imperial Green Jadeite lots repeatedly achieved record prices, indicating collectors' undiminished enthusiasm for ultimate rarities.


  • Strengthened Dominance of Asian Collectors: Judging from the bidding situation in this auction, collectors from Asia, especially Greater China, remain the main force in the high-end jadeite market. Their deep understanding of jadeite culture and strong willingness to purchase rare items are key factors supporting the market's high performance.


  • Investment Attributes Highlighted: In an environment of global inflationary pressure and increased financial market volatility, high-end jadeite, as a hard asset, has increasingly prominent attributes of hedging and value preservation. Many investors view it as an effective tool to combat risk and achieve wealth transfer.


  • Importance of Quality and Provenance: The market's demand for jadeite quality is becoming increasingly stringent. Beyond focusing on translucency, color, and craftsmanship, attention is also paid to the reliability of its origin and the clarity of its historical provenance. Lots with backgrounds from renowned collectors or museum exhibitions often command higher premiums.


Expert Commentary:

Mr. Li Ming, a renowned jade appraisal expert and professor at the School of Gemology, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), commented: "The results of Sotheby's spring auction are fully consistent with our expectations for the high-end jadeite market in the coming years. The scarcity of Imperial Green Jadeite dictates that its price will remain on an upward trajectory in the long term. However, investors should also be reminded that not all jadeite possesses investment value; only 'collector-grade' masterpieces can truly achieve value preservation and appreciation. Ordinary jadeite may perform relatively stably in the market."

Looking ahead, with continued global wealth growth and the expanding influence of Asian culture, the high-end jadeite market is expected to remain active. However, the market's demand for professional assessment of authenticity and quality will also become increasingly high. For both auction houses and collectors, prudent judgment and professional knowledge will be key to success.