【Hong Kong, November 15, 2026】Sotheby's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HK$2.53 billion, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates. Among the highlights, the highly anticipated 'Imperial Green' jadeite bead necklace fetched an astonishing HK$380 million, becoming the top-selling lot of the auction and once again affirming the strong purchasing power for top-tier jadeite in the Asian market.
The auction presented over 300 rare jewelry and jadeite lots, achieving an impressive sell-through rate of 88%. High-value lots, in particular, saw a sell-through rate as high as 95%, indicating strong collector appreciation for exceptional pieces. Compared to the autumn sale in the same period last year, the jewelry section's sales increased by 15%, and the average price per lot rose by 8%, demonstrating continued robust demand for rare gemstones and unique designs.
The leading lot, the 'Imperial Green' jadeite bead necklace, comprises 36 beads of uniform color and exquisite texture, each exceeding 12mm in diameter. Its rarity and perfection captivated global collectors during the preview. After several rounds of intense bidding, the necklace was acquired by an anonymous Asian private collector via telephone bid. The final price, approximately 27% higher than its pre-sale estimate (HK$250 million to HK$300 million), fully showcased the resilience and investment value of top-grade jadeite.
Ms. Wenhao Ye, Head of Jewelry, Sotheby's Asia, stated after the auction: "The success of this autumn sale once again proves the immense enthusiasm in the Asian market for exceptional jewelry, especially high-quality jadeite. We observed an unprecedented interest from collectors in pieces with clear provenance, perfect condition, and historical significance. The sale price of the 'Imperial Green' jadeite bead necklace not only set a new auction record for jadeite at Sotheby's but also injected a strong boost into the global jewelry market."
Market analyst Mr. Li Ming commented: "In the current environment of increasing global economic uncertainty, top-tier jewelry and rare jadeite, as tangible assets, increasingly highlight their value preservation and appreciation attributes. Particularly for rare jadeite like 'Imperial Green,' which is becoming increasingly scarce, its rarity dictates a long-term upward trend in price. We anticipate that in the coming years, the Asian market will remain the core region for high-end jewelry transactions, and jadeite, as a treasure of Chinese culture, will continue to see its market value climb, especially in the private customization and collection sectors."
The success of this auction not only brought substantial returns to Sotheby's but also set a new benchmark for the entire jewelry auction market. It indicates that, in the foreseeable future, top-tier jadeite will continue to be a popular choice for investment and collection, and its market performance warrants continuous attention.