Sotheby's Autumn 2026 Auction: Record-Breaking Jadeite Necklace Leads as Asian Jewelry Market Continues to Heat Up

【Hong Kong, November 15, 2026】Sotheby's Autumn 2026 Auction, which concluded yesterday, achieved a remarkable total sales figure exceeding HK$2.5 billion (approximately US$320 million), once again demonstrating the robust resilience of the global top-tier art and jewelry markets. Among the highlights, the highly anticipated 'Imperial Green' jadeite bead necklace fetched an astonishing HK$680 million (approximately US$87 million), far surpassing its pre-sale estimate, becoming the star lot of the auction and setting a new auction record for jadeite jewelry in Asia.

This autumn sale presented over 800 rare lots, covering important categories such as Chinese paintings and calligraphy, ceramics and works of art, modern and contemporary art, as well as jewelry and watches. The overall sell-through rate reached an impressive 89.5%, with over 30% of the lots selling above their high estimates, indicating strong demand from collectors for high-quality artworks.

The jadeite jewelry section was undoubtedly the biggest highlight of this auction. The necklace, composed of 36 perfectly round, full, and uniformly colored 'Imperial Green' jadeite beads, each exceeding 15mm in diameter, with its exceptional translucency ('zhong shui'), rich emerald green color, and flawless craftsmanship, attracted global top collectors' attention during the preview. Ultimately, after a fierce bidding war lasting 15 minutes, an anonymous Asian private collector successfully acquired it via telephone bid. Compared to the selling price of a similar-grade jadeite necklace in the Spring 2024 auction, this transaction represents an increase of approximately 15%, fully reflecting the scarcity of top-tier jadeite resources and its value preservation and appreciation as a hard asset.

Mr. Nicolas Chow, Chairman of Sotheby's Asia, stated after the auction: "We are very pleased with the results of this autumn sale, particularly the performance of the jadeite jewelry section, which exceeded expectations. This once again confirms the continuous passion and purchasing power of Asian collectors for top-tier jewelry. The successful sale of the 'Imperial Green' jadeite necklace not only set a new record but also showcased to the world the perfect integration of traditional Chinese culture and modern collecting concepts."

Market Analysis and Trend Forecast:

Data from this Sotheby's autumn sale clearly reveals several key trends in the current jewelry market, especially the Asian jewelry market:

• Value of Top-Tier Jadeite Continues to Rise: Rare, high-quality 'Imperial Green' jadeite, due to its non-renewable nature and profound cultural heritage, has become an important asset allocation option for the global affluent class. Its price trend shows a steady upward trajectory, with less impact from macroeconomic fluctuations.


• Asian Collectors Dominate the Market: The majority of high-value lots in this auction were acquired by Asian collectors, indicating that wealth accumulation and collecting tastes in Asia, particularly in Greater China, are profoundly influencing the global art and jewelry market landscape.


• Brand Effect and Heritage Value: Sotheby's, as a leading international auction house, its stringent selection standards and global promotion platform, endow lots with higher brand premium and market recognition. Simultaneously, jewelry, as an important vehicle for family heritage, its cultural and emotional value is increasingly valued by collectors.


• Online and Offline Integration: While high-value lots are still primarily sold through live and telephone bidding, online bidding participation has significantly increased, especially for mid-to-low-priced lots, where the online transaction ratio has exceeded 40%, signaling a more diversified auction model in the future.

Dr. Li Ming, a renowned jewelry market analyst, pointed out: "The selling price of the jadeite necklace at this Sotheby's autumn sale is not just a numerical breakthrough, but a strong boost to confidence in the top-tier jadeite market. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties, the safe-haven attribute of scarce assets becomes more prominent. In the coming years, we expect the price of top-tier jadeite to maintain a stable annual growth of 8%-12%, especially for natural jadeite with historical provenance, perfect condition, and no enhancement, which will continue to be sought after."

Mr. Chan Chi Keung, President of the Hong Kong Jewellers' & Goldsmiths' Association, also stated: "The unique emotional connection and cultural identity of Asia towards jadeite are important reasons for its robust prices. With the rise of new affluent classes and the maturation of collecting concepts, we see more and more younger generation collectors beginning to focus on and invest in high-quality jadeite. This is not only a symbol of wealth but also an embodiment of taste and cultural heritage."

In conclusion, the success of Sotheby's Autumn 2026 Auction, particularly the outstanding performance of the jadeite jewelry section, injected a strong dose of confidence into the global jewelry market. In the foreseeable future, the Asian market will continue to play a pivotal role in the global luxury and collectibles sectors, and the value status of top-tier jadeite will continue to be consolidated.