[Hong Kong, May 18, 2026] Christie's Hong Kong Spring 2026 auction concluded successfully yesterday, achieving a total sales value of HK$2.15 billion, significantly exceeding pre-sale estimates. The sell-through rate was 87% by lot and 93% by value. The highly anticipated Jewels and Jadeite sale was particularly outstanding, with Burmese natural jadeite items taking center stage and once again affirming the strong purchasing power in the high-end jadeite market.
The star lot of this auction, a Burmese natural jadeite bead necklace known as 'Imperial Green,' fetched an astonishing HK$350 million, exceeding its pre-sale high estimate of HK$280 million by 25%, setting a new auction record for a jadeite bead necklace in the past five years. This necklace comprises 68 top-grade Imperial Green jadeite beads, each measuring 12.5 mm in diameter, boasting rich color, fine texture, and exceptional translucency, making it an extremely rare treasure. Additionally, a 50-carat Burmese natural jadeite cabochon ring sold for HK$120 million, a 50% increase from its HK$80 million estimate. Another jadeite bangle named 'Spring Color' also achieved a high price of HK$65 million, demonstrating the market's pursuit of jadeite pieces that combine rarity and artistry.
From the data, the total sales for the jadeite specialist sale reached HK$980 million, accounting for 65% of the total sales for Jewels and Jadeite, an 18% increase compared to last year's spring auction. Notably, the sell-through rate for jadeite lots exceeding HK$10 million was as high as 95%, indicating robust demand from high-end collectors for top-tier jadeite. It is worth mentioning that in this auction, Burmese natural A-grade jadeite with excellent condition and clear provenance generally sold for 20% to 50% above their estimates, while items of slightly lesser quality or with flaws performed modestly, with some even failing to sell.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: "The results of this Christie's spring auction once again emphasize the '80/20 rule' in the high-end jadeite market. Top-tier, scarce Burmese natural jadeite, especially categories like Imperial Green, icy jadeite, and glass jadeite, continues to appreciate in value and has become an important component of asset allocation for the global affluent. Such items not only possess collection value but are also regarded as a stable investment. However, for mid-to-low-end jadeite, the market shows a more cautious attitude, with buyers increasingly demanding higher quality and value for money."
Ms. Wang Fang, a jade market commentator, added: "In recent years, with increasing global economic uncertainty, high-net-worth individuals have an increasingly strong demand for value preservation and appreciation. As a non-renewable resource, jadeite's rarity and oriental cultural heritage give it unique charm. Burmese jadeite, especially those exceptional pieces reaching gemstone quality, has consistently shown strong price trends. We expect this trend to continue in the coming years, with prices for top-tier jadeite still having room for growth, but the market will pay more attention to the jadeite's 'zhongshui' (translucency and texture), color, craftsmanship, and historical provenance."
Looking ahead, Christie's Head of Jewellery for Asia stated that they will continue to deepen their presence in the Asian market, discovering more rare jewelry and jadeite pieces with potential to meet the growing demands of global collectors. The success of this spring auction undoubtedly injected a strong boost into the global art market and painted a brighter picture for the high-end jadeite market.