【Hong Kong, October 28, 2026】Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HK$2.85 billion, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate of HK$2.2 billion. The sell-through rate reached 89.5%, demonstrating strong confidence from top global collectors in the Asian art and jewelry market. Among the highlights, a highly anticipated Imperial Green jadeite bead necklace fetched an astonishing HK$880 million, becoming the star lot of the auction.
This Imperial Green jadeite bead necklace, named “Dewdrop Jade,” comprises 36 perfectly round and lustrous Imperial Green jadeite beads, each exceeding 16mm in diameter, boasting exceptional transparency and a vibrant emerald green hue. It is a rare treasure seen in the auction market in the past decade. Its HK$880 million hammer price not only set a new auction record for a jadeite bead necklace but also represented a 35.4% increase from its pre-sale estimate of HK$650 million, fully affirming the scarcity and value of top-tier jadeite in the global collecting community.
The success of this autumn sale is not an isolated case. The overall jewelry segment performed exceptionally well, with a total sales figure of HK$1.52 billion, accounting for half of the total auction revenue. In addition to the “Dewdrop Jade” necklace, a 10.08-carat D-color flawless pear-shaped diamond ring sold for HK$180 million, and a Cartier-designed sapphire and diamond bracelet fetched HK$65 million, both significantly surpassing expectations. This indicates that amidst increasing global economic uncertainties, high-net-worth individuals are more inclined to allocate capital to hard assets with potential for value preservation and appreciation, especially rare gemstones and top-tier jewelry.
Mr. Nicolas Chow, Chairman of Sotheby's Asia and Worldwide Head of Jewellery, stated after the auction: “The outstanding results of this autumn sale, particularly the record-breaking sale of the Imperial Green jadeite necklace, once again demonstrate the robust demand for top-tier jewelry and art in the Asian market, especially among collectors in Greater China. We observe that collectors show immense enthusiasm and bidding willingness for rare items with clear provenance, exceptional quality, and historical significance. As an integral part of Chinese culture, the scarcity and non-renewable nature of top-grade jadeite continue to drive its value, making it an ideal choice for inflation hedging and wealth inheritance.”
Market analyst Mr. Li Ming commented: “The data from Sotheby's Autumn Sale 2026 further solidifies Hong Kong's position as a global hub for top-tier jewelry transactions. The continuously rising prices for Imperial Green jadeite reflect its unique status in Asian culture and its growing recognition worldwide. In the coming years, with the continued accumulation of global wealth and the expansion of collector groups in emerging markets, we anticipate that prices for top-tier jewelry, especially rare colored gemstones and high-quality jadeite, will continue to maintain a steady upward trend. Concurrently, brand effect and design uniqueness will also be crucial factors influencing jewelry value.”
Looking ahead, auction houses will continue to deepen their presence in the Asian market and discover more potential treasures. The success of this autumn sale undoubtedly injects strong confidence into the upcoming Spring Sale 2027, foreshadowing an even more brilliant chapter for the Asian art and jewelry market.