Hong Kong, May 10, 2026 – Sotheby's Spring 2026 Auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales figure of HK$2.53 billion, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates, with a sell-through rate of 88%. This once again confirms the strong vitality of the global art market, especially the high-end jadeite sector. Among them, the highly anticipated 'Imperial Jadeite' series of lots performed exceptionally well, becoming the biggest highlight of this auction.
Undoubtedly, the centerpiece of this auction was Lot 1088, the 'Vibrant Green' Imperial Green Jadeite Bead Necklace. This piece, composed of 36 exquisite Imperial Green jadeite beads, each exceeding 15mm in diameter, boasting rich and uniform color and delicate, warm texture, finally hammered down at an astonishing HK$680 million, setting a new world auction record for a jadeite bead necklace. Compared to similar items sold in 2024, this represents a remarkable increase of 25%, fully demonstrating the scarcity and appreciation potential of top-tier jadeite. In addition, another piece, Lot 1089, the 'Emerald Wave' Imperial Green Jadeite Bangle, also fetched HK$210 million, with an 18% increase, further solidifying the supreme status of Imperial Green jadeite in the collecting world.
Overall, the total sales for the jadeite and jewelry specialist sale at this Sotheby's Spring Auction reached HK$1.25 billion, accounting for nearly half of the total sales, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92%. Notably, high-end jadeite lots (estimated at over HK$50 million) achieved a 100% sell-through rate, with an average premium rate exceeding 30%. This indicates that market demand for rare, high-quality jadeite remains robust, and buyers are willing to pay premium prices for top-tier collectibles.
Ms. Wenfen Ye, Head of Jewellery, Sotheby's Asia, stated in an interview, “The success of this Spring Auction once again proves the unique appeal of top-tier jewelry, especially Imperial Jadeite, in the global collecting market. We observe that collectors from Greater China, North America, and the Middle East show sustained and strong interest in high-quality jadeite. The pursuit of scarce resources in the market, coupled with the recognition of art as an asset allocation, are the main drivers of price increases.”
Professor Li Ming, a senior jadeite market analyst, pointed out, “While the global economy faces numerous uncertainties, top-tier art and jewelry, especially Imperial Jadeite with its cultural heritage significance, increasingly highlight its safe-haven attributes and investment value. The auction data clearly reflects that, driven by inflation expectations and the need for wealth preservation, capital is accelerating its flow into such hard assets. In the coming years, we anticipate that prices for high-quality jadeite will continue to show steady growth, especially for those rare pieces with unique historical backgrounds, perfect craftsmanship, and exceptional materials.”
The resounding success of this Sotheby's Spring Auction not only injected confidence into the market but also set a positive tone for the art market in the second half of 2026. High-end jadeite, particularly Imperial Jadeite, will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point for global collectors and investors.