【Hong Kong, November 15, 2026】Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Sale 2026 concluded successfully, achieving a total sales value of US$250 million, exceeding its high estimate, with a sell-through rate of 88%. The highly anticipated Jewels and Jadeite sale performed exceptionally well, breaking US$80 million in total sales, once again affirming the strong demand and steady growth in the high-end jadeite market.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of this autumn sale was a set of five 'Imperial Green' jadeite cabochons, which ultimately hammered for an astounding US$25 million, significantly surpassing their pre-sale estimate of US$18 million, representing a premium rate of 38.9%. These cabochons boast intense color, fine texture, and exceptional translucency, with each exceeding 1.5 cm in size, making them extremely rare in the market. The buyer was an anonymous Asian private collector, demonstrating the continued strong appetite of the Asian market for top-tier jadeite.
In addition to this record-breaking set of cabochons, other high-quality jadeite lots also performed well. A natural old-mine glass-jadeite bangle weighing 50 grams sold for US$12 million, an increase of 20% from its pre-sale estimate; a pair of icy-green jadeite earrings fetched US$3.5 million, achieving a 100% sell-through rate. Overall, the jadeite section achieved a sell-through rate of 92%, significantly higher than other categories, with an average premium rate maintained at around 25%, fully reflecting the market's recognition of high-quality jadeite.
Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The data from this Christie's autumn sale once again confirms our judgment on the high-end jadeite market: scarcity, high quality, and historical provenance remain the core factors driving price increases. Especially against the backdrop of increasing global economic uncertainty, the attributes of top-tier jadeite as a hard currency and a safe-haven asset are becoming increasingly prominent. 'Imperial Green' jadeite cabochons, as the 'crown jewels' of the jadeite category, will maintain their strong value in the foreseeable future, and even have room for further appreciation."
Ms. Zhang Hua, a jadeite market researcher, added: "We have observed that in recent years, younger generations of collectors are showing increasing interest in jadeite. They prioritize design and wearability, which has led to an increased demand for jadeite jewelry that combines traditional aesthetics with modern design. At the same time, the development of online auctions and digital display technologies has provided global collectors with more convenient access, further expanding the market reach."
Expert Commentary:
Ms. Shi Lin, Head of Christie's Asia Jewellery Department, stated: "We are very pleased with the results of this autumn sale, particularly the performance of the jadeite section, which exceeded expectations. This indicates that global collectors' confidence in top-tier jadeite remains strong. In the future, we will continue to cultivate the Asian market, discover more rare jadeite with collection value and investment potential, and commit to promoting jadeite culture to attract more new collectors."
Looking ahead, despite various global economic challenges, the high-end jadeite market is expected to maintain a steady growth trend. Rare, unique, and well-provenanced top-tier jadeite will continue to be favored by the market. Simultaneously, with increased information transparency and advancements in appraisal technology, consumers' ability to discern jadeite quality is continuously improving. This will lead the market to focus more on authentic and high-quality pieces, further squeezing out market space for low-end and inferior products.