【Hong Kong, May 18, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Spring 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HK$2.25 billion, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate by 15%. The sell-through rate by lot was 88%, and by value, it reached 93%. Notably, the highly anticipated Jewels and Jadeite auction achieved a remarkable total of HK$850 million, once again affirming the strong demand for rare jadeite in the high-end collecting market.
The undisputed highlights of this auction were several exquisite Burmese natural jadeite treasures. The leading lot, an “Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace,” fetched an astonishing HK$280 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of HK$180 million, representing a remarkable increase of 55.6%. This necklace, strung with 38 perfectly matched imperial green jadeite beads, each measuring 15mm in diameter, boasting rich and even color and fine, lustrous texture, was ultimately acquired by an anonymous Asian collector. Another “Old Mine Glassy-Type Full Green Jadeite Bangle” also achieved a high price of HK$120 million, an increase of 20% over its pre-sale estimate. Additionally, an “Icy-Type Vibrant Green Jadeite Carved Plaque” sold for HK$65 million, indicating the market's appreciation for unique designs and exquisite craftsmanship in jadeite.
Ms. Anna Stone, Chairman of Christie's Asia Jewellery Department, commented in an interview, “The success of this Spring Auction, particularly the outstanding performance of the Burmese jadeite segment, once again proves the scarcity and investment value of top-tier natural jadeite globally. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties, high-quality, clearly sourced hard assets, such as top jadeite, are increasingly sought after by high-net-worth individuals.”
From a market analysis perspective, the high-end jadeite market has shown a steady upward trend over the past year. Despite multiple global economic challenges, the supply of top-quality jadeite remains consistently scarce. Coupled with the deep cultural affinity and investment enthusiasm of collectors in Asia, particularly Greater China, these factors collectively support its robust pricing. In this auction, multiple jadeite lots sold significantly above their estimates, indicating strong buyer confidence and a willingness to pay a premium for rare treasures.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out, “Burmese jadeite, especially those meeting high-quality standards such as 'Imperial Green' and 'Glassy-Type,' is facing increasingly evident resource depletion. This makes every piece of top-tier jadeite entering the auction market an irreplaceable treasure. We anticipate this trend to continue in the coming years, with prices for high-end jadeite expected to maintain stable growth. However, for the mid-to-low-end jadeite market, due to relatively abundant supply and greater susceptibility to economic fluctuations, price trends may be more complex, and investors need to exercise caution.”
Christie's successful Spring Auction not only injected a boost of confidence into the global art market but also provided direction for the high-end jewelry, especially the jadeite collecting market. With the global reallocation of wealth and the increasing maturity of collectible investment philosophies, top-tier jadeite, as an asset combining artistic value, cultural significance, and preservation/appreciation potential, continues to have broad market prospects.