【Hong Kong, October 28, 2026】Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HKD 2.85 billion, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' specialist sale performed exceptionally well, with a total turnover of HKD 1.23 billion and a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%, once again affirming the strong demand and investment potential of the high-end jadeite market.
The undisputed highlight of this autumn sale was the rare treasure – the 'Imperial Jadeite' necklace. This necklace, composed of 28 old-mine, glass-like, imperial green jadeite beads, boasts rich and uniform color, delicate and warm texture, and crystal-clear transparency, truly a masterpiece among jadeite. After multiple rounds of fierce bidding, it was finally hammered down at an astonishing HKD 680 million, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of HKD 350 million, representing a staggering increase of 94.2%. This transaction price not only set a new auction record for jadeite jewelry globally but also once again highlighted the rarity and collectible value of top-tier imperial jadeite.
In addition to the 'Imperial Jadeite' necklace, other high-end jadeite lots also performed well. An ice-type vibrant green jadeite bangle weighing 120 carats sold for HKD 120 million, a 50% increase from its estimate; a perfectly matched pair of cabochon imperial green jadeite earrings fetched HKD 85 million, an increase of 60%. These figures indicate that market demand for high-quality, rare jadeite remains robust, especially for pieces with unique designs and historical provenance, which are particularly sought after by collectors.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: "The results of this Sotheby's autumn sale once again prove that in the context of global economic uncertainties, top-tier jadeite, as a hard currency and scarce resource, increasingly highlights its value preservation and appreciation characteristics. Imperial green jadeite, in particular, due to its scarce output and difficult extraction, coupled with the deep emotional connection to jadeite in Eastern culture, has consistently maintained an unshakeable position in the high-end collector's market. We anticipate that in the coming years, prices for high-quality jadeite will continue to maintain a steady upward trend, especially for museum-grade treasures, whose appreciation potential will be even more significant."
Ms. Lina Wang, Head of Sotheby's Asia Jewellery Department, stated in an interview: "The successful sale of the 'Imperial Jadeite' necklace is not only another milestone for Sotheby's but also injects strong confidence into the entire jewelry auction market. We have observed that the buyer base is becoming increasingly diverse, with not only traditional Asian collectors but also buyers from Europe, America, and the Middle East showing keen interest in top-tier jadeite. This indicates that an international collection trend for jadeite is forming, and its market potential will be further unleashed."
Expert Commentary:
Professor Zhang Hua, Vice President of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, commented: "The record-breaking transaction price of the 'Imperial Jadeite' reflects the market's high recognition of ultimate quality and rarity. In the current context of diversified art investment, jewelry and jadeite with cultural connotations and artistic value, especially treasures like imperial jadeite that possess both natural aesthetics and investment attributes, will continue to be targets fiercely pursued by collectors. At the same time, we also see a continuous improvement in the market's appreciation level and understanding of jadeite, which has positive significance for the healthy development of the entire jadeite industry."
In summary, the success of Sotheby's Autumn Sale 2026, particularly the outstanding performance of the high-end jadeite specialist sale led by the 'Imperial Jadeite', clearly conveys a signal of continued improvement in the high-end jadeite market. Driven by multiple factors such as scarcity, cultural value, and investment attributes, the charm of top-tier jadeite will continue to shine in the global collecting community.