Beijing, May 20, 2026 – The highly anticipated Beijing Council International 2026 Spring Art Auction concluded successfully today. Over the three-day event, various categories including Chinese painting and calligraphy, porcelain and miscellaneous items, and antique treasures all performed well. Among them, the “Jade Radiance – Hetian Jade Boutique Special Sale” garnered the most attention, once again confirming the strong and sustained demand and investment value in the high-end Hetian jade market.
This “Jade Radiance” special sale featured a total of 120 Hetian jade pendants and carvings, achieving a total transaction value of RMB 185 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 92.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. Notably, a highly anticipated “Qianlong Period White Hetian Jade 'Auspicious Beasts' Pendant,” with its warm jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique theme, fetched RMB 28 million after multiple rounds of intense bidding, surpassing its high estimate by 30%, becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. Another piece, a “Contemporary Hetian Jade 'Boy Asking Under Pine Tree' Plaque,” also sold for a high price of RMB 12.5 million, an increase of 25% from its estimate. Overall, the average premium rate for this special sale reached 18%, demonstrating collectors' high recognition of premium Hetian jade.
Based on the transaction data, the Hetian jade pendant market in this spring auction exhibited several significant characteristics:
- Clear Trend Towards Premiumization: High-end, rare Hetian jade rough, especially pieces with mature skin, delicate texture, and superb craftsmanship, remain the focus of market pursuit. All the top-selling lots in this auction were such premium pieces.
- Master Carvers' Works Highly Sought After: Representative works by contemporary jade carving masters, due to their unique artistic style and exquisite techniques, demonstrated strong appeal in the market, with their prices steadily increasing.
- Coexistence of Traditional Themes and Innovative Designs: Traditional auspicious themes such as mythical beasts, landscapes, and flora and fauna in Hetian jade pendants remain mainstream, but some innovative designs incorporating modern aesthetic elements are also emerging and gaining favor among a segment of younger collectors.
Ms. Zhang Li, Head of the Chinese Jade Department at Council International Auctions, stated in an interview: “The success of this spring auction's Hetian jade special sale once again proves the profound heritage of traditional Chinese jade culture and the strong vitality of the market. We observe that collectors' awareness and appreciation for Hetian jade are increasing, and they are more inclined to invest in premium pieces with clear provenance, superior jade quality, exquisite craftsmanship, and cultural connotations. In the future, we anticipate that the investment attributes of the high-end Hetian jade market will further strengthen, and prices still have room for growth.”
Mr. Wang Deming, a senior jade market analyst, also pointed out: “The current global economic situation is complex, but the art market, especially traditional Chinese artworks with scarcity and cultural value, shows strong resilience against risks. As a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, Hetian jade's unique resource scarcity, historical and cultural value, and artistic aesthetic value make it a stable investment choice. The data from this Council International spring auction indicates that even during market adjustments, high-quality Hetian jade can maintain its value, and even rise against the trend. For investors, focusing on jade quality, carving, theme, and the clear provenance of the work will be key to seizing market opportunities.”
Looking ahead, with the continuous development of China's economy and the enhancement of cultural confidence, the Hetian jade market is expected to remain active. However, market differentiation will become more pronounced, with ordinary quality Hetian jade potentially facing price pressure, while truly collectible and investment-worthy premium pieces will continue to be highly sought after. Collectors should remain rational when entering the market, focusing on research and appreciation to achieve long-term stable returns.