Beijing, November 28, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Autumn Art Auction concluded successfully today. The total transaction volume of this autumn auction reached an impressive RMB 1.28 billion, with a transaction rate of 82.5%. Among them, the Southern Red Agate special session was particularly eye-catching, becoming the highlight of this auction. This not only once again confirmed the strong momentum of Southern Red Agate in the collector's market but also provided a new perspective for the current art market.
Southern Red Agate Special Session: Masterpieces Emerge, Prices Continuously Break Records
This autumn auction featured the “Nectar Glow – Southern Red Agate Treasures” special session, showcasing over a hundred exquisite Southern Red Agate carvings, bead strands, and rough stones. Among them, a “Persimmon Red” Southern Red Agate carving titled “Fu Shou Shuang Quan” (Blessings and Longevity) weighing 280 grams, was sold for a high price of RMB 8.6 million, significantly exceeding its previous estimate of RMB 5-7 million, with a premium rate as high as 72%. Another Southern Red Agate landscape carving titled “Splendid Mountains and Rivers,” created by contemporary jade carving master Li Gang, was hammered at RMB 12.5 million, setting a new auction record for Southern Red Agate carvings. In addition, several strands of high-quality, pure-colored antique Southern Red Agate beads also performed well, with an average transaction price increasing by approximately 15% compared to the same period last year. Overall, the transaction rate of the Southern Red Agate special session reached 93%, with a total transaction volume of RMB 260 million, accounting for 20.3% of the total transaction volume of this autumn auction.
Market Analysis: Scarcity and Cultural Value Drive Southern Red Agate Market
Zhang Ming, a senior jade market analyst, stated: “The continuous strong performance of Southern Red Agate is the result of its scarcity, unique cultural connotations, and exquisite craftsmanship. The increasing depletion of high-quality Southern Red resources makes every fine piece extremely precious. At the same time, Southern Red Agate symbolizes auspiciousness and prosperity in traditional Chinese culture, making it highly favored by collectors. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of jade carving techniques, the artistic value of Southern Red Agate has been fully realized, attracting the attention of more high-end collectors.”
From a market trend perspective, the investment value of Southern Red Agate is gradually emerging. Over the past five years, the average annual compound growth rate of high-end Southern Red Agate has remained above 10%, with some top lots even doubling in value. The data from this auction further consolidates this trend, indicating that the market's enthusiasm for high-quality Southern Red Agate remains undiminished.
Expert Commentary and Future Outlook
Ms. Wang Li, Vice President of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, pointed out in an interview: “The success of Beijing Council International's Southern Red Agate special session in this autumn auction reflects the current art market's high confidence in categories with cultural heritage and scarce resources. The market popularity of Southern Red Agate is expected to remain high for some time, especially for works by renowned masters, with perfect condition and unique themes, whose appreciation potential remains huge. However, investors also need to be wary of common goods and counterfeits in the market. Choosing reputable auction houses and professional institutions for transactions is key to mitigating risks.”
Mr. Dong Guoqiang, Executive Director and General Manager of Council International Auction, concluded: “The success of this autumn auction, especially the outstanding performance of the Southern Red Agate special session, once again proves Council International's leading position in the art market and its accurate grasp of market trends. We will continue to be committed to discovering and presenting more art treasures with collection value and investment potential, providing higher quality services to collectors worldwide.”
Looking ahead, with the steady development of the Chinese economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, traditional jade categories represented by Southern Red Agate are expected to continue to be an important growth point in the art market. Collectors and investors should closely monitor market dynamics, invest rationally, and aim for substantial returns.