【Hong Kong, November 15, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Auction 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of US$235 million, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate by 15%, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88%. The Jewels and Jadeite sale, in particular, performed exceptionally well, recording a total of US$85 million. A single 'Imperial Green' jadeite cabochon fetched an astonishing US$22 million, becoming the top lot of this autumn sale and once again affirming the strong purchasing power in the high-end jadeite market.
The centerpiece of this auction – a natural Burmese 'Imperial Green' jadeite cabochon weighing 15.68 carats – attracted fierce bidding from collectors worldwide due to its extreme color saturation, glassy translucency, and flawless cut. The cabochon was ultimately acquired by an anonymous Asian private collector via telephone bid. The final price increased by 10%-47% compared to its pre-sale estimate (US$15 million - US$20 million), fully demonstrating the scarcity and potential for value appreciation of top-tier jadeite. According to Ms. Vicky Sek, Christie's Chairman of Jewellery, Asia, this cabochon's selling price set a new auction record for similar jadeite cabochons in the past five years, highlighting the robust demand for high-quality, large-carat jadeite.
In addition to the 'Imperial Green' jadeite cabochon, several other high-quality jadeite pieces also achieved impressive results. For instance, a necklace composed of eight old-mine glass-like jadeite beads sold for US$12.5 million, exceeding its high estimate by 25%; a ring set with two icy-green jadeite cabochons also changed hands for US$3.8 million. Overall, in this autumn sale, the average selling price of jadeite lots increased by approximately 15% compared to the same period last year, with a sell-through rate maintained above 90%, indicating sustained demand for jadeite, especially high-end pieces with historical provenance or unique designs.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: “The results of this Christie's autumn sale once again confirm our assessment of the high-end jadeite market – rare, high-quality jadeite, especially treasures with characteristics such as 'Imperial Green' and 'glassy translucency,' has not been affected by macroeconomic fluctuations. Instead, due to its non-renewable nature, it is increasingly sought after. The global wealthy class's investment demand for art and rare jewelry remains strong, viewing them as effective ways to hedge against inflation and preserve or grow assets.”
Mr. Stephen Weiste, President of Christie's Asia, stated after the auction: “We are very pleased with the results of this autumn sale, particularly the performance of the Jewels and Jadeite section, which exceeded expectations. This reflects collectors' confidence in Christie's curated lots and confirms Asia's, especially Greater China's, leading position in the global art and jewelry market. In the future, we will continue to cultivate the high-end market and present more rare treasures to collectors.”
Looking ahead, industry experts generally believe that driven by increasingly scarce supply and persistently strong demand, the high-end jadeite market will maintain a steady growth trend. Particularly, jadeite treasures with unique cultural connotations, exquisite craftsmanship, and exceptional quality are expected to see their market value further appreciate. However, for ordinary investors, given the specialized and complex nature of the jadeite market, it is advisable to seek guidance from professionals before investing to mitigate potential risks.