【Hong Kong, October 28, 2026】Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully today, achieving a total sales figure of HK$2.85 billion, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate of HK$2.2 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.7%. Among the highly anticipated highlights, a natural Burmese Imperial Green jadeite bead necklace named “Verdant Harmony” ultimately hammered for an astonishing HK$650 million, reaching a final price of HK$780 million with buyer's premium, setting a new world auction record for jadeite jewelry and becoming the most dazzling star of this auction.
This necklace, comprising 38 perfectly round and lustrous Imperial Green jadeite beads ranging from 15.8 mm to 17.2 mm in diameter, boasts an intensely rich and even color, coupled with exquisite translucency and texture, making it an unparalleled masterpiece of jadeite. The auction floor was exceptionally lively, and after multiple rounds of fierce bidding, it was finally acquired by an anonymous Asian private collector. The previous estimate was HK$350 million to HK$500 million, and the final selling price exceeded the upper estimate by 56%, fully demonstrating the rarity and potential for value preservation and appreciation of top-tier jadeite in the global collecting market.
Beyond the “Verdant Harmony” jadeite necklace, this autumn sale saw outstanding performances across various categories, including jewelry, Chinese paintings and calligraphy, ceramics, and works of art. The jewelry section achieved a total of HK$1.2 billion, a 15% increase from the same period last year, with several rare colored diamonds, Kashmir sapphires, and Colombian emeralds selling at desirable prices above their estimates. The Chinese paintings and calligraphy section recorded HK$550 million, with strong demand for works by modern masters such as Zhang Daqian and Qi Baishi, many of which sold at a premium. The ceramics and works of art section also performed robustly, with a total of HK$480 million, including a Qing Qianlong famille rose reticulated revolving vase that sold for HK$95 million, nearly doubling its estimate.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
The strong performance of this Sotheby's autumn sale undoubtedly injects a shot of confidence into the global art and luxury market. From the overall data, market confidence has significantly rebounded from the fluctuations of the past two years. Particularly, top-tier jewelry and rare artworks have once again proven their resilience and appreciation potential. Jadeite, as a uniquely captivating gemstone in Eastern culture, continues to see robust demand in its high-end market, especially in Asia, where collectors' pursuit of high-quality, large-sized, and pure-colored Imperial Green jadeite has never waned. The record-breaking sale of the “Verdant Harmony” necklace not only solidifies jadeite's position in the luxury market but also signals that the value of top-tier jadeite will continue to rise steadily in the coming years.
Mr. Kevin Ching, Chairman of Sotheby's Asia, stated after the auction: “We are extremely pleased with the results of this autumn sale. The record-breaking price of the ‘Verdant Harmony’ jadeite necklace once again demonstrates global collectors' appreciation and passion for ultimate treasures. This reflects a recovering market confidence in rare, high-quality artworks, and an increasingly diversified buyer base. We anticipate that the market will continue to show steady growth in the coming year, especially in the Asian region, where wealth accumulation will continue to drive demand for high-end collectibles.”
Expert Commentary:
Dr. Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: “The sale of this jadeite necklace is not just a price breakthrough, but a global recognition of jadeite's cultural value and rarity. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties, top-tier jadeite is considered an effective tool for wealth preservation and appreciation due to its unique resource scarcity, cultural attributes, and investment properties. In the future, with the decreasing extraction of Burmese jadeite rough and the growing scarcity of high-quality jadeite, its market value will continue to climb. When selecting, collectors should focus on exquisite jadeite with excellent translucency, color, and craftsmanship, and clear provenance, as these pieces possess stronger market competitiveness and appreciation potential.”
In conclusion, the success of Sotheby's Autumn Sale 2026, particularly the emergence of the record-breaking jadeite necklace, undoubtedly paints a positive picture for the global art and luxury market. The market is gradually emerging from its downturn, and the scarcity and unique value of top-tier treasures will continue to be the core driving force attracting collectors worldwide.