【Beijing, November 20, 2026】China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction recently concluded successfully, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 4.58 billion, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This indicates that the art market is gradually recovering its strong momentum after a period of adjustment. Among them, the Jadeite Jewelry专场 (special session) performed exceptionally well, setting a new five-year high with a total transaction volume of RMB 820 million and a sell-through rate of 88%, significantly exceeding the auction's average sell-through rate of 75%.
The Jadeite Jewelry special session presented a total of 260 lots, covering categories such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings, including many rare treasures. The most prominent piece was a jadeite necklace named “Imperial Green Fu Shou Shuang Quan” (Imperial Green Blessing and Longevity), composed of 28 plump and round imperial green jadeite beads. Its rich color and delicate texture ultimately fetched RMB 185 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of RMB 120 million, with a premium rate of 54%. Another piece, an “Ice-kind Yang Green Bangle,” with excellent clarity and a vibrant green hue, was sold for RMB 62 million after multiple rounds of intense bidding, a 55% increase from its estimated price of RMB 40 million. In addition, several high-quality jadeite cabochon rings and earrings also sold for prices 20% to 40% higher than their estimates, demonstrating the sustained enthusiasm of the market for top-tier jadeite.
From the data, the average transaction price for jadeite jewelry in this autumn auction reached RMB 3.15 million per piece, an increase of 12.5% compared to RMB 2.8 million per piece in last year's autumn auction. The sell-through rate for high-priced lots was particularly outstanding, with items estimated at over RMB 10 million achieving a sell-through rate of 92%, indicating strong collector interest in investing in rare, high-quality jadeite. The sell-through rate for mid-to-low-end jadeite (estimated below RMB 500,000) remained relatively stable at around 70%, showing that the market is still cautious about common items.
Market analyst Li Ming stated: “The excellent performance of jadeite jewelry in this Guardian autumn auction is a barometer of market confidence. In the context of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-quality, scarce jadeite, as a hard currency and a preferred option for value preservation and appreciation, has further highlighted its safe-haven attributes and investment value. Especially top-tier jadeite such as imperial green and ice-kind yang green, due to their non-renewable resources and unique oriental aesthetic value, always remain the focus of collectors' pursuit.”
Ms. Wang, a senior auction house expert, also pointed out: “The success of this auction is not only due to the quality of the lots themselves but also benefits from Guardian's professionalism in lot sourcing, authentication, and promotion. We observe that the buyer base is becoming younger and more international, and their understanding and taste for jadeite are continuously improving. In the future, the jadeite market will pay more attention to cultural connotations, design innovation, and brand value. The combination of tradition and modernity will be an important development direction. It is expected that in the next two to three years, the price of top-tier jadeite will continue to rise steadily, while the mid-range market will place more emphasis on the uniqueness and cost-effectiveness of the lots.”
The success of China Guardian's 2026 Autumn Auction, especially the outstanding performance of the jadeite jewelry segment, undoubtedly injected a shot in the arm for the entire art market. It not only confirmed the resilience of the high-end art market but also signaled new growth opportunities in the collection and investment field amidst a gradual economic recovery, particularly for those treasures that combine cultural value, artistic value, and scarcity, which will continue to be favored by the market.