Hong Kong, October 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Sotheby's Autumn Sale 2026 concluded today, with the 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' section performing exceptionally well. Jadeite treasures achieved new record sales, underscoring the sustained strong demand and robust growth in the high-end jadeite market. The total sale reached $250 million, with jadeite treasures contributing approximately $85 million, accounting for 34% of the total.
A total of 120 exquisite jadeite lots were presented in this auction, with 108 ultimately sold, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 90%. Among them, a highly anticipated 'Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace' fetched an astonishing $28 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate ($18 million - $22 million), marking a 27% increase. This necklace comprises 36 uniformly sized, intensely colored Imperial Green jadeite beads, making it exceptionally rare and perfect globally. Another 'Icy Green Jadeite Bangle' also sold for a high price of $12.5 million, a 25% increase over its $10 million estimate. In addition, several high-quality white jade and black jade carvings also performed well, with average selling prices increasing by about 15% above their estimates, demonstrating broad market recognition for various exquisite jadeite pieces.
Ms. Wenhao Ye, Head of Jewellery at Sotheby's Asia, stated in an interview: "The jadeite segment of the 2026 Autumn Sale performed beyond expectations, especially the top-tier Imperial Green jadeite, whose rarity and investment value have once again been affirmed. The high sell-through rate and significant premiums indicate that collectors have immense enthusiasm and confidence in high-quality, clearly sourced jadeite treasures. We have observed that the buyer base not only includes traditional Asian collectors but also new collectors from Europe, America, and the Middle East showing strong interest in jadeite, which brings new vitality to the market."
From a market analysis perspective, despite current global economic uncertainties, high-end art and rare jewels, as hard assets, are increasingly demonstrating their value preservation and appreciation characteristics. Jadeite, particularly high-quality jadeite, is being re-evaluated and continues to rise in value due to its unique cultural connotations, rare resource attributes, and increasingly depleted mines. The data from this auction also confirms this trend: compared to the Autumn Sale 2025, the average price of jadeite lots of the same caliber has increased by approximately 18%, indicating a steady upward trajectory.
Mr. Ming Zhang, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out: "The success of this Sotheby's Autumn Sale is not accidental. In the current environment of inflationary pressure and geopolitical risks, high-net-worth individuals are more inclined to allocate assets with long-term value. Jadeite, especially collector-grade treasures, not only possesses aesthetic value but also carries profound cultural heritage, and its scarcity dictates significant future appreciation potential. Furthermore, the auction house's professionalism in lot selection, authentication, and market promotion also laid the foundation for this excellent performance. It is expected that the high-end jadeite market will remain active in the coming years, and its investment and collection value will be further highlighted."
Looking ahead, with the continuous accumulation of global wealth and a deeper understanding of Eastern culture, jadeite, as a unique investment and collectible category, will further unleash its market potential. The stellar performance of Sotheby's Autumn Sale 2026 undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the entire jadeite market, signaling a future full of opportunities.