Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Auction: Hetian Jade Pendants Market Continues to Heat Up, Exquisite Pieces Achieve Remarkable Results

BEIJING, November 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday. As one of the highlights of this autumn sale, the Chinese Jade and Works of Art special session performed remarkably well, particularly the Hetian jade pendant section, which set new highs in both total sales and sell-through rate in recent years, once again affirming the strong vitality of the high-end jade market.

Auction Data Review: Exquisite Hetian Jade Pendants Shine

This autumn auction featured a total of 120 Hetian jade pendant lots, with 108 pieces successfully sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%. The total transaction value reached RMB 125 million, an 18% increase compared to the same period last year. Among them, several exquisite pendants were sold at a premium, becoming the market's focal points.

* “Mutton Fat Jade Seed Material Auspicious Beast Pendant”: With its delicate and warm texture, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, it became the highest-priced lot of the session. After multiple rounds of fierce bidding, it was finally hammered at RMB 18.5 million, significantly exceeding its pre-auction estimate (RMB 12-15 million), with a premium rate of 23.3%.
* “White Jade Seed Material Guanyin Pendant”: This pendant boasts flawless white jade and fluid carving lines, depicting a solemn and serene Guanyin. It sold for RMB 12.8 million, an increase of approximately 28% over its estimate (RMB 8-10 million).
* “Qingbai Jade Seed Material Landscape and Figure Plaque”: Although not of mutton-fat grade, its unique jade color and profound landscape and figure theme still attracted many collectors, ultimately selling for RMB 7.2 million, 20% higher than its estimate (RMB 5-6 million).
* In addition, a batch of mid-to-high-end Hetian jade pendants, such as the “Green Jade Seed Material Fu Lu Shou Pendant” and the “Ink Jade Seed Material Zhong Kui Pendant,” also sold at prices 10%-25% higher than their estimates, demonstrating broad market recognition for different categories of Hetian jade.

Market Analysis: Scarcity and Cultural Value Drive Sustained Growth

The outstanding performance of Hetian jade pendants in this auction is not accidental. Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The scarcity of Hetian jade, especially high-quality seed material, is the fundamental reason for its continuous value appreciation. As mining becomes increasingly difficult, the stock of high-quality Hetian jade is diminishing, which directly drives up market prices. At the same time, the profound traditional Chinese cultural heritage carried by Hetian jade, such as the concept of 'a gentleman's virtue is like jade,' makes it not only a precious material but also a carrier of spirit and culture, a cultural value unmatched by other gemstones.”

Mr. Li Ming further analyzed: “From the results of this auction, collectors' comprehensive consideration of jade quality, craftsmanship, and theme is more mature. Top-tier mutton-fat jade seed material remains the market's focus, but non-mutton-fat grade Hetian jade pendants with unique artistic styles and cultural connotations also show strong market potential. This indicates that the market is shifting from simply pursuing 'whiteness' to paying more attention to 'jade essence' and 'artistry.'”

Expert Commentary: Future Market Outlook

Ms. Zhang Hua, head of the Chinese Jade Department at Beijing Council International Auction House, stated: “We are very satisfied with the performance of Hetian jade pendants in this autumn auction. This reflects the current strong demand for high-quality, culturally rich artworks. With the steady development of the Chinese economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, we expect that in the coming years, the Hetian jade market, especially exquisite pendants and scholarly jade articles, will continue to maintain a steady growth trend. While collectors focus on jade quality, they should also pay more attention to the craftsmanship of master carvers and the artistic appeal of the works, as these will be key factors determining their long-term value.”

Ms. Zhang Hua also reminded collectors that while the market continues to heat up, they should also be wary of fakes and excessive speculation. She advises collectors to purchase through reputable channels and consult professionals to ensure the quality and value of their collections.

In summary, the success of Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Auction has injected new vitality and confidence into the Hetian jade market. The strong performance of exquisite Hetian jade pendants heralds the arrival of a more mature and diversified era of jade collection.