【Hong Kong, May 18, 2026】Christie's, a leading global art auction house, concluded its Spring 2026 auction today, once again demonstrating the vibrant vitality of the global art market with its exceptional lineup of lots and strong sales figures. The highly anticipated 'Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite' sale was particularly outstanding, achieving a total of US$128 million, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with an 89% sell-through rate by lot and a remarkable 95% by value.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of this spring auction was several rare jadeite cabochon lots. Among them, an untreated natural Burmese imperial green jadeite cabochon ring, named 'Eye of Imperial Green,' with its ultimate emerald green hue, glass-like texture, and flawless condition, fetched a staggering US$28.5 million after multiple rounds of intense bidding. This far surpassed its pre-sale high estimate of US$15 million, representing a premium of 90%. This transaction price not only set a new auction record for similar jadeite cabochons in the past two years but also reaffirmed the unshakeable status of top-tier jadeite in the collecting world. According to Ms. Shirley Shieh, Chairman of Christie's Jewellery Department Asia, the cabochon measures 2.5 cm in diameter and 1.2 cm in thickness, making it a rare colossal imperial green jadeite seen in the auction market in recent years.

Additionally, another necklace comprising three similarly sized, uniformly colored icy-green jadeite cabochons was acquired by an Asian private collector for US$12 million, a 50% increase from its US$8 million estimate. Overall, the jadeite cabochon lots in this spring auction achieved a sell-through rate of 98% and an average premium of 65%, indicating robust demand for high-quality jadeite in the market.

Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:

The success of Christie's Spring Auction, especially the strong performance of the jadeite cabochon segment, clearly conveys several important market signals:

  • Top-tier Jadeite Value Continues to Climb: Despite global economic uncertainties, rare and high-quality top-tier jadeite, especially imperial green and glass-like varieties, increasingly demonstrates its safe-haven and value-added properties, with prices showing a steady upward trend. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for flawless and well-documented treasures.

  • Asian Collectors Maintain Dominance: Based on the buyer composition of this auction, Asian collectors, particularly affluent individuals from Greater China and Southeast Asia, remain the primary drivers of the high-end jadeite market. Their profound understanding of jadeite culture and desire to possess scarce resources are crucial supports for market demand.

  • Smaller Exquisite Pieces Also Sought After: While 'Eye of Imperial Green' garnered attention for its immense size, other relatively smaller but exceptionally high-quality jadeite cabochons also performed well, indicating a growing market preference for 'exquisite' over 'large.' Quality, translucency, color, and craftsmanship are core determinants of value.

  • Market Confidence Rebounds: The overall high sell-through rate and high premium reflect a significant rebound in market confidence, with buyers generally optimistic about the future of the high-end art and jewelry market.


Expert Commentary:

Professor Li Ming, a renowned jadeite market analyst, stated: "The performance of jadeite cabochons at this Christie's Spring Auction is exhilarating. The transaction price of 'Eye of Imperial Green' is not only a market recognition of extreme rarity but also signals that the high-end jadeite market, after a period of consolidation, is entering a new upward cycle. In the coming years, we expect prices for top-tier jadeite to continue strong growth, especially for treasures with both investment and collection value. Simultaneously, with the rise of younger collectors, the demand for design and wearability will further influence the market, leading to more innovative designs combined with top-tier jadeite."

Mr. Francis Fung, President of Christie's Asia, commented in a post-auction interview: "We are very pleased with the results of this spring auction. Jadeite jewelry, in particular, with its profound cultural heritage and rarity, remains a focal point for collectors worldwide. We will continue to dedicate ourselves to presenting the finest art treasures to global collectors and are optimistic about Asia's leading position in the future global art landscape."

The success of this spring auction undoubtedly injected a strong dose of confidence into the global art market for 2026 and once again solidified Hong Kong's leading position as an Asian art trading hub. The investment value and collecting allure of high-end jadeite will continue to attract global attention.