【Beijing, May 28, 2026】Beijing Council International's 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total transaction volume of RMB 1.25 billion, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 82.3%. Among them, the highly anticipated “Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite” special sale performed exceptionally well, reaching a total transaction volume of RMB 320 million with a sell-through rate of 91.5%, once again affirming the strong purchasing power and collecting enthusiasm in the high-end jadeite market.
The highlight of this spring auction was undoubtedly several rare jadeite carvings. Among them, a magnificent Imperial Green jadeite carving depicting pines and cranes, titled “Longevity and Prosperity,” with its ultimate translucency, color, craftsmanship, and substantial size, became the focal point of the entire sale. Starting at RMB 80 million, after multiple rounds of intense bidding, it was finally hammered down at RMB 165 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate with a premium rate of 106.25%, acquired by an anonymous Asian collector. Another “Brilliant Jade” ice-kind vibrant green jadeite Guanyin standing statue carving sold for RMB 58 million, an increase of 35% from its estimate. Overall, the average premium rate for jadeite carvings in this auction reached approximately 45%, demonstrating the strong demand for high-quality jadeite in the market.
Mr. Zhang Hua, Head of the Jewelry Department at Council International Auctions, stated in an interview: “The outstanding performance of jadeite carvings in this spring auction once again proves the stability and appreciation potential of top-tier jadeite as a scarce resource and an artwork. Collectors' understanding and taste for jadeite are continuously improving; they are more inclined to collect exquisite pieces that combine artistry, rarity, and heritage value.”
Market Analysis and Trend Prediction:
1. Increasing Scarcity of Top-Tier Jadeite Resources: As the difficulty of mining jadeite rough in Myanmar increases and high-quality mineral veins become exhausted, the scarcity of high-quality jadeite will further intensify. The record-breaking prices for top-tier jadeite such as Imperial Green and ice-kind vibrant green in this auction are the most direct reflection of this scarcity.
2. Maturing Collector Base: Today's jadeite collectors no longer solely focus on the material itself but pay more attention to its carving, design concepts, and cultural connotations. In this auction, jadeite carvings with exquisite craftsmanship and auspicious meanings were highly sought after by collectors, reflecting an improvement in market aesthetic taste.
3. Dual Attributes of Art and Investment: Jadeite, as a unique gemstone, possesses both artistic and investment attributes. In the current context of increasing global economic uncertainty, high-end jadeite, with its stable value and inflation-hedging capabilities, has become an important asset allocation choice for many high-net-worth individuals.
4. Integration of Online and Offline Trends: This auction also adopted a simultaneous online and offline bidding model, with online buyers contributing approximately 15% of the total transaction volume, demonstrating a new trend of technology empowering the auction industry. In the future, auction houses will continue to explore digital transformation to provide global collectors with a more convenient and efficient bidding experience.
Expert Commentary:
Professor Li Ming, Vice President of the Gems & Jewelry Trade Association of China, pointed out: “The success of Beijing Council International's spring auction, especially the outstanding performance of the jadeite sector, sets a positive tone for the high-end jadeite market in 2026 and beyond. We anticipate that driven by scarcity, cultural value, and investment attributes, prices for top-tier jadeite will continue to show steady growth. At the same time, the market will pay more attention to the cultural connotations and artistic value of jadeite, and jadeite works with unique designs and exquisite craftsmanship will be more favored.”
Looking ahead, the Chinese art market, especially the high-end jewelry and jadeite sector, will continue to show a steady upward trend. The success of Beijing Council International's spring auction undoubtedly injects strong confidence into the market.