【Hong Kong, November 20, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales value of HK$2.85 billion (approximately US$365 million), exceeding the pre-sale high estimate by 15% with a sell-through rate of 88%. This demonstrates a robust recovery in the high-end art market. Among the highlights, the Burmese natural A-grade jadeite series performed exceptionally well, with several exquisite pieces selling for prices significantly above their estimates, becoming the focal point of this auction.
This autumn sale's 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' section recorded a total of HK$1.23 billion (approximately US$158 million), with jadeite pieces contributing nearly 40% of this figure. The leading lot, an 'Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace,' composed of 28 perfectly matched imperial green jadeite beads, each with a diameter of 18mm, featuring exceptional texture and rich, even color, ultimately fetched HK$380 million (approximately US$48.7 million). This was 52% above its pre-sale estimate of HK$250 million, setting a new auction record for jadeite bead necklaces in the past five years. Another highly anticipated piece, an 'Old Mine Glassy Jadeite Bangle,' renowned for its superior clarity and translucent quality, sold for HK$120 million (approximately US$15.4 million), achieving a premium rate of 33%. Additionally, a five-piece 'Icy Green Jadeite and Diamond Jewelry Set' also changed hands for a high price of HK$85 million (approximately US$10.9 million), significantly surpassing its HK$50 million estimate.
Ms. Anna Stone, Chairman of Christie's Asia Jewellery Department, stated: "The success of this autumn sale, particularly the outstanding performance of Burmese jadeite, fully demonstrates global collectors' sustained passion and confidence in top-tier rare gemstones. After two years of market adjustments, we have observed that the buyer base has become more rational, yet their bidding enthusiasm and purchasing power remain strong for exquisite, well-documented rare pieces. Especially for Burmese jadeite, its scarcity and non-renewable nature ensure its long-term value is highly recognized."
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, pointed out: "The data from Christie's autumn sale paints a positive market picture for us. Firstly, the high sell-through rate and premium rates indicate increased market liquidity and recovering buyer confidence. Secondly, the strong performance of top-tier jadeite such as Imperial Green and Old Mine Glassy varieties further solidifies their position in high-end collecting. This is not only a choice for wealth preservation but also an investment in scarce art pieces. In the coming years, with the gradual stabilization of the global economy and the continuous growth of high-net-worth individuals, we anticipate that the market demand for top-tier jadeite will remain robust, with prices expected to show steady growth, especially for unique and exceptional pieces of museum-collection quality."
Geographically, the buyer base for this auction showed a diversified trend, with collectors from Greater China, Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe actively participating in the bidding. Asian buyers remained the main force, contributing nearly 70% of the total sales. Younger generations of collectors also showed strong interest in jadeite jewelry with innovative designs and cultural significance, injecting new vitality into the market.
Looking ahead, Christie's will continue to deepen its presence in the Asian market and strengthen the cultivation of emerging collector groups. Concurrently, with technological advancements, the application of blockchain traceability technology in the jadeite sector will further enhance consumer confidence, ensuring transaction transparency and security, thereby promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the entire jade market.