China Guardian 2026 Autumn Auction: Hetian Jade Carvings Lead, High-End Market Remains Strong

【Beijing, November 18, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total turnover of RMB 3.25 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 87.3%. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Jade and Craftsmanship' special session performed exceptionally well, with a total transaction value exceeding RMB 280 million, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, demonstrating the continued strong momentum of the high-end Hetian jade market.

In this autumn auction, several exquisite Hetian jade carvings became the focal points of the entire event, repeatedly setting new records. Notably, a Hetian jade 'seed material' carving titled 'Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune', with its warm and lustrous texture, superb craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, ultimately sold for a high price of RMB 48 million, significantly exceeding its pre-sale estimate (RMB 30-35 million), achieving a premium rate of 37.1%. This carving weighs 12.5 kilograms, boasts fine and oily jade quality, pure color, and depicts nine lively auspicious beasts in various postures, carrying profound meaning. According to China Guardian Auction House, this lot underwent multiple rounds of fierce bidding and was eventually acquired by an anonymous Asian private collector.

Another white jade mountain carving titled 'Clear Sound of Mountains and Rivers', with its profound artistic conception and ingenious carving techniques, sold for RMB 26.5 million, exceeding the upper limit of its pre-sale estimate by 20%. In addition, a batch of small and medium-sized Hetian jade hand-held pieces and pendants also performed well, with a sell-through rate close to 95%, and prices generally 10%-25% higher than estimates, indicating strong market demand for well-preserved and exquisitely carved mid-range Hetian jade products.

Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:

The results of this China Guardian autumn auction once again confirm several significant trends in the current Chinese art market, especially the high-end Hetian jade market:

• Significant Premium for Scarcity of Fine Pieces: The depletion of top-grade Hetian jade 'seed material' resources makes perfectly preserved, substantial, and exquisitely carved Hetian jade pieces scarce, leading to immense price appreciation potential. Collectors' enthusiasm for these 'hard currencies' remains undiminished.


• Emphasis on Both Cultural and Artistic Value: The high-priced Hetian jade carvings sold this time all incorporate profound traditional cultural connotations and superb artistic expression. While pursuing the intrinsic value of the material, collectors are increasingly focusing on the cultural heritage and aesthetic appeal of the works.


• Dual-Driven by Investment and Collection: Amid increasing global economic uncertainty, Hetian jade, as a tangible asset with potential for value preservation and appreciation, has increasingly highlighted its investment attributes. At the same time, its unique oriental aesthetics also attract many pure collecting enthusiasts.


• Intensified Market Segmentation: The high-end fine Hetian jade market continues to be hot, while ordinary materials and crudely crafted Hetian jade products face greater market pressure and significant price fluctuations. The market's demand for quality is becoming increasingly stringent.

Professor Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, stated: "The performance of the Hetian jade special session at the 2026 China Guardian Autumn Auction is exhilarating, especially the transaction prices of several top-tier carvings, which once again refreshed the market's perception of Hetian jade's value. This indicates that after several years of market adjustment, the high-end Hetian jade market has entered a relatively stable upward channel. The future market will further test collectors' discernment and judgment, demanding higher standards for the origin, quality, craftsmanship, and cultural connotation of the jade. At the same time, we also see that the interest of younger generations of collectors in Hetian jade is gradually increasing; they pay more attention to the innovation and artistry of the works, which will inject new vitality into the Hetian jade market."

Ms. Wang, a representative of the auction house, added: "We are pleased to see that both seasoned collectors and new buyers have shown great enthusiasm for high-quality Hetian jade. In the future, we will continue to deepen our efforts in this field, bringing more exquisite pieces with both artistic value and investment potential to collectors."

Overall, China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction has injected a strong boost into the Hetian jade market, signaling that the high-end jade collection market will remain active for some time to come, and the value of fine Hetian jade will continue to be recognized and sought after by the market.