Hong Kong, April 28, 2026 – Sotheby's Spring Sale 2026 concluded today with a total turnover of HK$2.85 billion, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates. The highly anticipated 'Imperial Jadeite' special session performed exceptionally well, with multiple exquisite pieces fetching high prices, once again affirming the strong momentum of the high-end jade market.
The undisputed highlight of this auction was Lot 888, the 'Dewdrop Jade' Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace. This necklace, comprising 38 imperial green jadeite beads, each with a diameter of 15mm, was hammered down at an astonishing HK$420 million, far surpassing its highest estimate of HK$300 million, an impressive premium of 40%. According to Ms. Wenyi Ye, Head of Jewellery, Sotheby's Asia, the jadeite in this necklace boasts a delicate and warm texture, with a rich and even color, meeting the ultimate standards of collectible imperial green. Its historical provenance also added significant weight to its valuation. Another highly anticipated lot, Lot 889, the 'Jadeite Serenity' Imperial Green Jadeite Bangle, ultimately sold for HK$180 million, exceeding its highest estimate of HK$150 million, demonstrating the rarity and market recognition of top-tier jadeite bangles.
Overall, the 'Imperial Jadeite' special session achieved a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%, with a total turnover of HK$1.25 billion, accounting for nearly 44% of the total spring sale turnover. This data not only reflects the scarcity and high demand for top-tier jadeite in the market but also indicates collectors' pursuit of high-quality, high-value-retention art pieces. Compared to the same period last year, the average premium rate for high-end jadeite lots increased by approximately 15%, suggesting sustained market confidence.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior jade market analyst, commented: "The success of this Sotheby's spring sale, particularly the stellar performance of imperial jadeite, further solidifies its position in the global luxury and art investment sectors. In the current environment of increasing global economic uncertainty, hard assets like imperial jadeite, which possess scarcity, profound cultural heritage, and stable value, are becoming a crucial choice for asset allocation among high-net-worth individuals. We anticipate that prices for top-tier jadeite will maintain a steady annual growth of 8%-12% over the next five years."
Mr. Kevin Ching, CEO of Sotheby's Asia, stated in an interview: "The excellent results of this spring sale, especially the outstanding performance of imperial jadeite, once again prove the immense purchasing power of the Asian market, particularly Greater China, for top-tier jewelry and jadeite. We observe that a new generation of collectors is increasingly mature in their aesthetics and investment philosophy for jadeite, prioritizing the rarity, craftsmanship, and cultural value of their collections. Sotheby's will continue to deepen its presence in this market, presenting more rare treasures to collectors worldwide."
This auction not only delivered exciting sales figures but also pointed the way for the future development of the high-end jade market. With the continuous accumulation of global wealth and the enhancement of cultural confidence, top-tier jadeite, as a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, will continue to gain recognition for its investment and collection value, with a bright market outlook.