【Hong Kong, October 28, 2026】Sotheby's Autumn 2026 auction, which concluded this week, once again injected strong vitality into the global art market with its exceptional selection of lots and precise market positioning. The total sales of this autumn auction reached an impressive HK$2.85 billion, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate by 15%, with a sell-through rate of 88%, demonstrating the market's sustained pursuit of top-tier artworks, especially high-quality jadeite treasures.

Jadeite Specialist Sale: Leading the Way, Breaking Records

The highlight of this autumn auction was undoubtedly the “Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite” specialist sale. Among them, the highly anticipated “Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace” was hammered at an astonishing HK$320 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of HK$180 million, becoming the highest-priced lot of the season. This necklace, composed of 52 exquisite imperial green jadeite beads, each over 12mm in diameter, boasts rich and even color, and a warm, delicate texture, making it a rare treasure seen once in a century. Another piece, an “Icy Jadeite Bangle with Vibrant Green,” also sold for HK$185 million, a remarkable 54% increase over its HK$120 million estimate, setting a new world auction record for similar jadeite bangles. In addition, a uniquely designed “Qianlong Imperial White Jade Carved Dragon Washer” fetched HK$98 million, indicating that ancient jade artifacts still hold a firm position in the collecting world.

Auction Data at a Glance:

* Total Sales: HK$2.85 billion
* Sell-through Rate: 88%
* Jadeite Specialist Sale Total: HK$1.25 billion (43.8% of total sales)
* Highest-Priced Lot: Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace, HK$320 million
* Significantly Appreciated Lot: Icy Jadeite Bangle with Vibrant Green, HK$185 million (54% increase over estimate)
* New Buyer Participation: 25% of new buyers came from Asia, particularly mainland China and Southeast Asia.

Market Analysis: Driven by Rarity and Cultural Value

Nicolas Chow, Chairman of Sotheby's Asia, stated after the auction: “The success of this autumn sale, especially the outstanding performance of jadeite treasures, once again confirms the unique position of top-tier jadeite in the global collecting market. Its rarity, non-renewability, and profound Eastern cultural heritage make it an ideal choice for hedging against inflation and preserving and increasing wealth.”

Li Mingjie, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: “We observe that the market demand for jadeite treasures with clear provenance, exquisite craftsmanship, and perfect condition remains strong. The prices of imperial green jadeite and high-quality icy jadeite have increased by an average of 10-15% annually over the past five years, and the data from this auction indicates that this growth trend is accelerating. At the same time, the increased awareness of jadeite culture among younger generations of collectors has also injected new vitality into the market.”

Trend Forecast and Outlook:

The jadeite market is expected to continue its robust growth in the coming years. Several trends are worth noting:

  • Investment Value of High-Quality Jadeite Highlights: As high-quality jadeite rough becomes increasingly scarce, the rarity of top-tier jadeite will further drive up its market value. Imperial green, icy jadeite with vibrant green, and similar categories will remain the focus of market pursuit.

  • Continued Hotness of Ancient Jade Artifacts Collection: Ancient jade artifacts with historical and cultural value, clear provenance, especially imperial or renowned private collections, will continue to gain recognition for their artistic and collection value.

  • Rise of Young Collector Groups: With increased cultural confidence and diversified aesthetic concepts, more young collectors are beginning to pay attention to and invest in jadeite, which will bring new consumption power and aesthetic preferences to the market.

  • Accelerated Integration of Online and Offline: Auction houses will continue to increase investment in online auctions and digital displays to enhance the convenience of global buyer participation and further expand market coverage.


The success of this Sotheby's autumn auction not only painted a vibrant picture for the global art market but also clearly highlighted the dual value of jadeite treasures as both a hard currency and a cultural carrier. Its future market performance is highly anticipated.