【Hong Kong, November 18, 2026】Sotheby's Autumn 2026 Auction, which concluded yesterday, once again solidified its leading position in the global high-end art and jewelry market with its exceptional array of lots and strong sales performance. The total sales for this autumn auction reached a staggering US$285 million, exceeding the pre-sale high estimate by 15%, with an impressive sell-through rate of 88%. Asian buyers contributed over 60% of the total sales, demonstrating the increasing collecting enthusiasm for top-tier jewelry and art in the Asian market.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of this auction was the highly anticipated 'Light of the Emperor' natural Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace. This necklace, composed of 36 exquisite jadeite beads ranging from 12.5mm to 15.8mm in diameter, boasts rich and even color, and a delicate, translucent texture. It has been hailed as one of the finest jadeite necklaces to appear on the auction market in the past decade. After multiple rounds of intense bidding, it finally hammered down at an astonishing US$52 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of US$28 million to US$35 million, representing a remarkable increase of 48.57%. This selling price not only set a new auction record for a jadeite necklace but also reaffirmed the unshakeable status of top-grade jadeite in the global collecting world.
In addition to the 'Light of the Emperor' jadeite necklace, other high-quality jadeite lots also performed exceptionally well. For instance, an Imperial green jadeite cabochon ring weighing 28.5 carats sold for US$18.5 million, 25% above its pre-sale estimate; a pair of full-green jadeite earrings also fetched US$9.8 million, exceeding its estimate by 30%. These figures collectively illustrate the continuously strong growth trend in the top-tier jadeite market.
Li Ming, a veteran auction industry journalist, pointed out: "The success of this Sotheby's autumn auction, especially the record-breaking sale of the 'Light of the Emperor' jadeite necklace, once again confirms the anti-depreciation and value-preserving nature of rare, high-quality jewelry. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties, top-grade jadeite, as a hard currency, has seen its investment and collection value become increasingly prominent."
Zhang Hua, a jade market analyst, stated: "In recent years, with the continuous accumulation of wealth and the enhancement of aesthetic tastes in Asia, the demand for top-tier jadeite has remained robust. Imperial green jadeite, in particular, due to its scarcity, cultural connotations, and unique oriental charm, has become a focal point for many collectors. We anticipate that in the next five years, the price of high-quality Imperial green jadeite will maintain a steady annual growth of 10%-15%, with significant market potential, especially in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia."
The success of this Sotheby's autumn auction not only presented a visual feast for global collectors but also sent a clear signal to the market: in the current complex economic environment, rare and culturally valuable top-tier jewelry, especially Imperial green jadeite, remains a highly attractive investment and collection target. In the future, with the gradual recovery of the global economy and the further rise of Asian collecting power, the high-end jewelry market is expected to usher in an even more brilliant development.