【Hong Kong, May 15, 2026】Sotheby's Spring 2026 auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Jewellery' sale performing exceptionally well. Several jadeite treasures fetched high prices, once again confirming the strong collecting demand and stable appreciation potential of the high-end jadeite market. The total sales for this spring auction reached US$230 million, with jadeite items contributing nearly 40% of the total, amounting to US$92 million, and an impressive sell-through rate of 92%, significantly exceeding market expectations.
The highlight of this auction was undoubtedly several rare jadeite masterpieces. Among them, a natural imperial green jadeite bead necklace, named 'Emperor's Jade,' comprising 36 plump jadeite beads each measuring 15mm in diameter, with rich and even color and fine, warm texture, finally hammered at an astonishing US$42 million. This was over 20% higher than its estimate of US$28 million to US$35 million, making it the top-selling lot of the auction. Another highly anticipated item was the 'Congealed Fat Guanyin' jadeite carving, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and pure white, fat-like jade quality, which sold for US$18.5 million, an increase of 15%. Additionally, a 'Spring Vigor' set consisting of jadeite earrings, a ring, and a bracelet fetched US$8.8 million, also well above its US$6 million estimate.
Ms. Wenfen Ye, Head of Jewellery, Sotheby's Asia, stated: "The strong performance of the jadeite section in this spring auction fully demonstrates the sustained passion of global collectors for top-tier jadeite. We observe that demand for jadeite treasures with clear provenance, exceptional quality, and unique design remains robust, and their price performance is more resilient. Particularly, extremely rare jadeite with characteristics such as 'Imperial Green' and 'Glassy Jade' has its long-term investment value determined by its scarcity."
From the data, the average price per lot in the jadeite specialist sale reached US$1.5 million, an increase of approximately 12% compared to the same period last year. The sell-through rate of 92% indicates high buyer recognition and market confidence. Among them, 8 lots exceeded US$5 million, and 25 lots exceeded US$1 million, indicating that the high-end jadeite market remains a focal point for capital pursuit.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: "Sotheby's jadeite performance in the Spring 2026 auction once again confirms our previous judgment that the high-end jadeite market will continue its steady upward trend. Against the backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, top-tier jadeite, as a hard currency and scarce resource, increasingly highlights its function of hedging and preserving value. In the next few years, we expect the prices of high-quality jadeite to maintain an annual growth of 5%-10%, especially for items with historical heritage, artistic value, and unique stories, whose appreciation potential will be even more considerable. At the same time, the acceptance of jadeite by younger generations of collectors is gradually increasing, injecting new vitality into the market."
However, Mr. Li Ming also cautioned that the market is not without risks. He emphasized: "For ordinary investors, investing in jadeite still requires prudence. Market polarization is becoming increasingly apparent, with limited liquidity and appreciation potential for low-end and mid-range jadeite. Only truly collectible, extremely rare jadeite can maintain its value and achieve appreciation amidst market fluctuations. It is advisable for collectors to seek professional appraisal before purchasing, understand market conditions, and avoid blindly following trends."
The success of this Sotheby's spring auction has undoubtedly injected a strong shot in the arm for the global art market, especially the jadeite sector. It not only showcases the timeless charm of high-end jadeite but also portends that the jadeite market will continue to maintain its unique investment appeal in the coming years.