【Beijing, May 18, 2026】The highly anticipated China Guardian 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday. The 'Brilliant Green – Jadeite Jewelry Special Sale' performed exceptionally well, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 380 million with an impressive 88.5% sell-through rate, significantly exceeding market expectations and injecting a strong boost into the long-sluggish jewelry market.

The special sale featured 128 exquisite jadeite and jewelry pieces, attracting widespread attention from collectors and investors worldwide. Many lots were sold at high premiums. A highlight piece, the 'Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace,' composed of 28 plump imperial green jadeite beads, each approximately 12.5mm in diameter, was hammered at RMB 85 million, representing a 21.4% to 70% increase from its estimate (RMB 50 million - 70 million), becoming the top lot of this spring auction. Another piece, an 'Icy Green Jadeite Bangle,' known for its translucent texture and rich color, fetched RMB 32 million, with a premium rate as high as 33.3%. Additionally, several uniquely designed jadeite inlaid pieces also performed well, such as a 'Fu Lu Shou Tri-color Jadeite Pendant,' which sold for RMB 12 million, exceeding its estimate by 20%.

Mr. Li Ming, Head of the Jewelry Department at China Guardian Auctions, stated in an interview: “The success of this jadeite jewelry special sale not only reflects the market's continuous pursuit of high-quality jadeite but also signals a gradual recovery of the high-end jewelry market after a period of adjustment. Collectors' willingness to purchase and their ability to pay for rare, exceptionally well-preserved, and clearly sourced jadeite treasures remain strong.”

Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:

Data from this spring auction clearly reveals several significant trends in the current jadeite jewelry market:

  • Resilience and Scarcity Premium of High-Quality Jadeite: Top-tier jadeite such as Imperial Green, Glassy Jadeite, and Icy Green Jadeite, due to their non-renewable resources and artistic value, consistently serve as hard currency in the market. Even during market fluctuations, the value of these treasures remains robust, even rising against the trend, with their scarcity premium effect becoming increasingly evident.

  • Added Value of Design and Craftsmanship: In this auction, in addition to loose stones and traditional forms, some jadeite jewelry combining modern aesthetics with exquisite inlay craftsmanship also fetched high premiums. This indicates that while pursuing the intrinsic value of the material, collectors are increasingly focusing on the artistry and wearability of the jewelry.

  • Gradual Restoration of Market Confidence: The 88.5% sell-through rate and significant premiums on multiple lots are undoubtedly important signals of market confidence recovery. Against the backdrop of a gradually stabilizing macroeconomic environment, art investment, especially jewelry with potential for value preservation and appreciation, is once again favored by high-net-worth individuals.

  • Entry of Younger Collectors: While traditional collectors remain the main force, this auction also observed some younger collectors beginning to pay attention to jadeite jewelry. They tend to choose pieces with unique designs, strong wearability, and cultural connotations, bringing new vitality to the market.


Expert Commentary:

Professor Wang, a renowned jewelry appraisal expert and market analyst, pointed out: “The performance of jadeite jewelry at China Guardian's spring auction is undoubtedly a major highlight of the art market in the first half of 2026. It not only validates our previous judgment that 'the high-end jadeite market will be the first to recover,' but more importantly, it instills confidence in the entire jewelry industry. In the future, we anticipate a polarization trend in the market: top-tier exquisite pieces will continue to rise, while the mid-to-low-end market may face greater competition and adjustments. For investors, choosing high-quality, reliably sourced jadeite remains a prudent investment strategy.”

In conclusion, the jadeite jewelry special sale at China Guardian's 2026 spring auction, with its outstanding results, once again demonstrated the resilience and vitality of the Chinese art market, particularly the investment value and collection charm of high-end jadeite, which is entering a new growth cycle.