A spectacular jadeite necklace fetched an extraordinary HKD 200.2 million (about $25.6 million) at Christie’s Hong Kong, ranking it among the most valuable jade jewelry pieces ever sold at auction. While it did not claim the record for the most expensive jadeite necklace sold publicly, the result highlights the strong market for rare, museum-quality jadeite.
Called the Ethereal Jadeite Necklace, the piece comprises 61 exceptionally matched jadeite cabochon beads and achieved the high end of its pre-sale estimate of HKD 110 million to HKD 200 million. Its final price underscores sustained demand from elite collectors for top-tier, well-matched jadeite strands.
The necklace nearly eclipsed the long-held record set by the renowned Hutton-Mdivani Necklace, which sold for HKD 215 million (approximately $27.4 million) at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014. That historic Cartier creation, once owned by American heiress Barbara Hutton, famously fetched more than twice its pre-sale estimate and remains a benchmark for high-end jadeite jewelry.
Gemstone specialists praise the Ethereal Jadeite Necklace for its exceptional quality and craftsmanship. The 61 beads measure roughly 13.7 mm down to 8.8 mm in diameter and demonstrate remarkable uniformity in color, texture and translucency—attributes that are increasingly rare given the natural variation inherent in jadeite.
The necklace was a highlight of Christie’s Magnificent Jewels auction on May 26, an event that produced strong results across categories. The sale achieved a 90% sell-through rate by lot, and nearly 75% of lots exceeded their high estimates, signaling robust collector confidence in the top end of the jewelry market.
Overall, the auction brought in HKD 581.5 million (around $74.2 million), a 55% increase year-on-year. The performance reinforces Hong Kong’s role as a leading global hub for rare gemstones, exceptional jewelry and investment-grade collectibles.