Beijing, May 18, 2026 – China Guardian 2026 Spring Auction concluded successfully yesterday, with the highly anticipated “Jade Radiance – Hetian Jade Masterpiece Session” performing exceptionally well. The total transaction value reached RMB 125 million, with a remarkable sell-through rate of 88.5%, significantly exceeding market expectations. This auction not only reaffirmed the robustness of the high-end Hetian jade market but also provided important insights into the future direction of the jade market.
The session featured 120 meticulously selected Hetian jade lots, covering various categories such as籽料 (seed jade), 山料 (mountain jade),碧玉 (spinach green jade), and 墨玉 (black jade), including many artistic treasures carved by renowned masters. Data shows that seven lots were sold for over RMB 10 million. Among them, a Hetian seed jade carving titled “Auspicious Beasts Presenting Good Fortune,” with its warm and lustrous texture, exquisite craftsmanship, and auspicious symbolism, was finally hammered at a high price of RMB 28 million, an increase of approximately 27% from its estimated price (RMB 18 million-22 million), becoming the highest-priced lot of the session. Another white jade mountain carving, “Serene Mountain and Water Sounds,” also sold for RMB 15.8 million, with a premium rate of 15%. Overall, the average premium rate for this session reached 18%, demonstrating strong collector demand for high-quality Hetian jade.
Mr. Li Ming, a senior auction industry analyst, pointed out: “The excellent performance of the Hetian jade session at this Guardian Spring Auction reflects the strong current market demand for Hetian jade works that combine rarity, artistry, and cultural connotations. Against the backdrop of a stabilizing economic environment, high-net-worth individuals maintain their enthusiasm for investing in art with potential for value preservation and appreciation. As a treasure of traditional Chinese culture, Hetian jade’s unique collection value and cultural attributes make it an ideal investment target.”
From specific data, Xinjiang Hetian seed jade remains the main force in the market, accounting for over 65% of the total transaction value. Particularly, seed jade works with delicate texture, natural skin color, and unique shapes often fetch prices far exceeding their estimates. In addition, Hetian jade works carved by renowned masters also attracted significant attention, such as the “Longevity and Prosperity” spinach green jade carving created by national-level jade carving master Wang XX, which sold for RMB 8.5 million, indicating market recognition for the works of master jade carvers.
Ms. Zhang Hua, head of China Guardian’s Jade Department, stated: “We are very satisfied with the results of this Hetian jade session. This is due to our stringent selection criteria for lots and our precise grasp of market trends. In the future, we will continue to deepen our presence in the Hetian jade market, committed to discovering more masterpieces with both artistic and collection value, and providing better services to collectors. We anticipate that in the next few years, the high-end Hetian jade market will continue to maintain steady growth, especially for seed jade and master works with clear provenance, perfect condition, and exquisite craftsmanship, whose value will continue to climb.”
Market observers generally believe that the success of this Guardian Spring Auction’s Hetian jade session not only boosted confidence in the entire jade market but also signaled that Hetian jade collection will enter a more mature and rational stage in the coming years. As the collecting community gains a deeper understanding of Hetian jade culture and connoisseurship, the market will increasingly focus on jade quality, craftsmanship, cultural connotations, and traceable provenance, rather than blind pursuit. Specialization, artistic quality, and branding will be important trends in the future development of the Hetian jade market.