China Guardian 2026 Spring Auction: Hetian Jade Masterpieces Lead, Market Resilience Highlighted

[BEIJING, May 18, 2026] China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total turnover of RMB 2.35 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.3%. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Jade and Works of Art' specialist sale performed exceptionally well, with a total turnover exceeding RMB 380 million and a sell-through rate reaching 91.5%, once again confirming the strong demand and steady growth in the high-end jade market.

The focus of this spring auction was undoubtedly several exquisite Hetian jade pieces. Among them, a Hetian jade pebble carving titled 'Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune' became the highlight of the entire sale due to its warm jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism. Starting at RMB 18 million, after nearly 20 rounds of fierce bidding, it finally sold for a high price of RMB 36.8 million, a premium of 104% over the starting price, acquired by an anonymous private collector. Another 'Longevity and Good Fortune' Hetian jade mountain carving, with its unique combination of black and white jade skillful carving, ultimately sold for RMB 22.5 million, exceeding the upper estimate by 30%. Overall, the average premium rate for Hetian jade masterpieces in this auction exceeded 60%, demonstrating the market's pursuit of high-quality, rare Hetian jade.

Market Analysis and Trend Judgement:

Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The excellent performance of the Hetian jade section in this Guardian spring auction is a positive signal after the structural adjustment of the current Chinese art market. Against the backdrop of a stabilizing overall economic environment, high-net-worth individuals' investment enthusiasm for scarce art pieces with value preservation and appreciation attributes, especially Hetian jade with profound cultural heritage, remains undiminished. The transaction prices of top lots such as 'Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune' not only set new records for similar items but also reflect the market's comprehensive consideration of multiple factors such as jade quality, craftsmanship, subject matter, and clear provenance."

Mr. Li Ming further analyzed that in the coming years, the Hetian jade market will exhibit the following trends:

• Intensified trend towards high-quality and scarcity: The market will further concentrate on high-quality pebble material, works by renowned carvers, and jade with historical and cultural value, while ordinary material and poorly crafted jade will face greater market pressure.


• Emphasis on both collection and investment: With increasing volatility in financial assets, Hetian jade, as a physical asset, will attract more long-term investors due to its inflation-hedging and value-preserving characteristics.


• Return to cultural attributes: While collectors focus on jade quality and craftsmanship, they will pay more attention to the cultural connotations and historical stories carried by the jade, providing a higher premium space for pieces with unique cultural symbolism.


• Regional market differentiation: Although the overall market is improving, there will still be differences in collection preferences and price systems across different regions, such as the southern market's preference for delicate craftsmanship and the northern market's fondness for large, heavy jade pieces.

Professor Zhang Hua, Vice President of the China Jade Culture Research Association, stated: "The transaction data for Hetian jade at this Guardian spring auction is encouraging, especially the successful sale of several top-tier pebble carvings, which reflects the market's deep understanding of the core value of Hetian jade. These works are not only exquisite artworks but also carriers of traditional Chinese culture. Their value is not only reflected in the rarity of the jade material itself but also in the vitality and cultural connotation endowed by the carver. In the future, with the nation's emphasis on the revival of traditional culture and the continuous improvement of collectors' aesthetic standards, the value of Hetian jade will be more widely recognized and embodied."

Professor Zhang also reminded collectors that while the market is improving, they should also be wary of blindly following trends. She suggested focusing on high-quality pieces with pure jade, exquisite craftsmanship, unique themes, and reliable provenance under the guidance of professionals, to avoid investment risks.

The success of China Guardian's 2026 Spring Auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the art market for the second half of the year, indicating that high-end art, especially Hetian jade with profound cultural heritage, will continue to play an important role in the global art market.