Beijing, May 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today. As one of the highlights of this auction, the Chinese Jadeware special session performed exceptionally well, particularly the Hetian jade pendant section, with both transaction volume and sell-through rate reaching new highs in recent years, once again confirming the strong resilience and collecting enthusiasm of the high-end Hetian jade market.
This spring auction presented a total of 120 selected Hetian jade pendants, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%. The total transaction value reached RMB 185 million, an 18.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Among them, several exquisite pieces were sold at prices far exceeding their estimates, attracting widespread attention from the market.
Leading the auction was a Hetian jade pendant named “White Jade Seed Material Chilong Dragon Pattern Plaque”. This plaque features delicate and lustrous jade, with a first-grade white color, and exquisite carving that vividly portrays the majesty and agility of the Chilong dragon. The item was hammered at RMB 28 million, far surpassing its estimated price of RMB 18 million, becoming the 'star lot' of this auction. Another piece, a “Green Jade Seed Material Longevity Pattern Pendant”, with its rich and stable jade color and auspicious carving, was finally sold for RMB 12.5 million, with a premium rate as high as 56%. In addition, a “Qing Jade Seed Material Landscape and Figure Pendant” also changed hands for RMB 8.8 million, demonstrating the market's preference for Qing jade seed material with unique themes and fine craftsmanship.
From the data, the average price of Hetian jade pendants in this auction reached RMB 1.71 million, an increase of approximately 10% compared to the same period last year. Among them, white jade seed material pendants remain the main force in the market, accounting for over 70% of the total transaction value. It is worth noting that high-quality green jade and Qing jade seed material pendants also showed a good growth momentum, with their transaction price range steadily increasing.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade collector and vice president of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated in an interview with reporters: “The performance of Hetian jade pendants at this Council International spring auction once again proves that the market has an eternal pursuit for Hetian jade masterpieces that are 'good in material, exquisite in craftsmanship, and auspicious in meaning'. Especially those old pieces with clear provenance and perfect condition, their scarcity and cultural value make them highly sought after by collectors. In the future, we expect the Hetian jade market to continue to maintain steady growth, but collectors will pay more attention to the naturalness of the jade and the artistry of the carving when making choices, and the risk of blindly following trends will gradually increase.”
Market analysts point out that despite the complex and volatile global economic situation, the art market, especially traditional Chinese crafts with value preservation and appreciation attributes, is increasingly highlighting its safe-haven function. As a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, Hetian jade's unique aesthetic and profound cultural heritage have always secured its place in the high-end collection market. The auction results also reflect that although the market for ordinary items has cooled, the prices for truly collectible Hetian jade masterpieces remain strong, even reaching new highs.
Looking ahead, with the revival of traditional Chinese culture and the continuous growth of national wealth, the Hetian jade collecting group will further expand. However, the market will also face new challenges, such as the increasing depletion of high-quality seed material resources, and the impact of counterfeits and optimized processed products. Therefore, for collectors, improving their appreciation skills and choosing reputable auction houses and channels will be key to future investment in Hetian jade.