Famous Jadeite Pieces & Auctions
The Most Famous and Expensive Jadeite Pieces to Ever Be Sold or Exist
Jadeite, particularly the coveted imperial jade, has long been considered one of the most valuable and revered gemstones in the world. Known for its vibrant colors, translucency, and rich cultural symbolism, jadeite has captured the imagination of collectors, jewelers, and investors for centuries. Throughout history, certain pieces of jadeite have garnered legendary status due to their rarity, exquisite craftsmanship, and astronomical prices. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most famous and expensive jadeite pieces to ever exist, many of which have become iconic symbols of wealth, power, and luxury.
1. The “Red Emperor” Necklace (2015)
Price: $27.4 million USD
Location of Sale: Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction
The "Red Emperor" Necklace is perhaps the most famous jadeite necklace in recent history. This incredible piece of jewelry features 27 jadeite beads, each of which is an outstanding example of imperial jadeite, with a strikingly rich emerald-green hue. The necklace also includes diamonds set in platinum, further enhancing its luxurious appeal. The centerpiece of this necklace is a rare red jadeite bead, an unusual and highly sought-after color variation of the stone. The necklace was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2015 for an extraordinary $27.4 million, making it one of the most expensive jadeite pieces ever sold at auction.
2. The "Sky Green" Necklace (2014)
Price: $16.5 million USD
Location of Sale: Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction
The "Sky Green" Necklace is a stunning example of jadeite craftsmanship, featuring a collection of exquisite imperial jadeite beads in an elegant graduated design. Each bead exhibits a mesmerizing translucency and vibrant green color, characteristic of high-quality jadeite. The necklace was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2014 for an astonishing $16.5 million, securing its place among the highest-priced jadeite pieces in history. Its sale helped solidify the status of Burmese jadeite as one of the world’s most luxurious gemstones.
3. The "Hutton-Mdivani Necklace" (2014)
Price: $27.4 million USD
Location of Sale: Sotheby’s New York Auction
This legendary piece was once owned by the famous socialite Barbara Hutton, the "poor little rich girl" who was married to Prince Mdivani. The necklace features a single strand of 27 graduated jadeite beads, each of which is a prime example of high-quality Burmese jadeite. With its vibrant green color and flawless texture, the Hutton-Mdivani Necklace was sold at Sotheby’s New York auction in 2014 for $27.4 million. The piece is known not only for its intrinsic value but also for its rich history and connection to one of the 20th century’s most famous heiresses.
4. The “Imperial Green Jadeite Necklace” (2014)
Price: $12.4 million USD
Location of Sale: Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction
In 2014, another record-breaking jadeite piece, the "Imperial Green Jadeite Necklace," was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong for $12.4 million. The necklace features 27 jadeite beads, with the most prized beads displaying an intense, vivid green hue. It is one of the best examples of the imperial jade category, which is the most sought-after color of jadeite. The necklace’s value was heightened by its impeccable condition and exceptional craftsmanship, as well as its historical significance. This sale highlighted the continuing demand for high-quality Burmese jadeite among elite collectors.
5. The “Dragon and Phoenix” Carving (2017)
Price: Estimated at over $10 million USD
Location of Sale: Private Sale
The “Dragon and Phoenix” Carving is a breathtaking example of jadeite’s use in art and symbolism. This intricately carved sculpture features a pair of dragons and phoenixes, two animals that symbolize power, wealth, and harmony in Chinese culture. The piece, crafted from a single block of jadeite, was completed by a renowned Chinese artisan. The delicate carvings, paired with the deep green color of the jadeite, have made this piece one of the most iconic jadeite artworks ever created. It is estimated to be worth over $10 million, with private collectors bidding for this masterpiece.
6. The "Blue Emperor" Jadeite Pendant (2017)
Price: $8.8 million USD
Location of Sale: Christie’s Hong Kong Auction
The “Blue Emperor” Jadeite Pendant is an extraordinary piece of jadeite jewelry that features a rare blue-green jadeite gemstone, which is highly sought after for its exceptional color. The jadeite pendant is suspended from a necklace adorned with diamonds and features a finely crafted design. It was sold at a Christie's Hong Kong auction in 2017 for $8.8 million. The unique blue hue of the jadeite, combined with its excellent quality and the prestigious auction house’s backing, made it one of the most valuable jadeite pieces to ever hit the market.
7. The "Burmese Imperial Jadeite Bracelet" (2013)
Price: $10.3 million USD
Location of Sale: Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction
This spectacular bracelet features a large, smooth jadeite bangle carved from a single piece of high-quality Burmese jadeite. The jadeite has the prized imperial green color, and its smooth texture and perfect finish make it a truly exceptional example of jadeite craftsmanship. The piece fetched $10.3 million at auction in 2013, underlining the continuing high demand for premium jadeite in the luxury market. The bracelet is not only valuable for its size and quality but also for its historical association with Burmese jadeite, a material that has been prized for centuries.
8. The “Jadeite and Diamond Necklace” by Cartier (2019)
Price: $7.4 million USD
Location of Sale: Christie’s Hong Kong Auction
This stunning necklace, designed by the world-renowned jewelry house Cartier, combines jadeite with diamonds in an extraordinary display of luxury. The necklace features several large jadeite beads interspersed with brilliant-cut diamonds. The combination of the deep green jadeite and the sparkling diamonds creates a piece that is both visually striking and rich in cultural significance. The necklace was sold at a Christie’s Hong Kong auction in 2019 for $7.4 million, making it one of the top jadeite pieces sold in recent years. Cartier’s signature craftsmanship, combined with the rare quality of the jadeite, contributed to the high demand for this exceptional necklace.
9. The "Burmese Jadeite and Diamond Brooch" (2009)
Price: $5.5 million USD
Location of Sale: Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction
This dazzling brooch is set with a large imperial jadeite cabochon, surrounded by diamonds in a flower motif. The jadeite, with its rich, translucent green color, is the centerpiece of this exquisite piece, which was designed to highlight the beauty and rarity of jadeite. It was sold at a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in 2009 for $5.5 million, marking it as one of the standout pieces of jadeite jewelry from that time.
10. The “Jadeite Bead Necklace” from the Li Family Collection (2016)
Price: $4.5 million USD
Location of Sale: Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction
This beautiful necklace, which was part of the prestigious Li Family Collection, consists of 22 large jadeite beads of exceptional color and translucency. The beads are strung together with meticulous craftsmanship and are accented with diamonds and gold fittings. The necklace was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in 2016 for $4.5 million, further illustrating the ongoing demand for high-quality jadeite in the global market.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Jadeite
The world’s most famous and expensive jadeite pieces reflect the gemstone’s lasting appeal as a symbol of wealth, status, and artistry. Whether in the form of necklaces, bracelets, carvings, or brooches, jadeite continues to captivate collectors and investors alike. As these iconic pieces have demonstrated, the rarity, beauty, and cultural significance of jadeite make it one of the most valuable and prized gemstones in the world. Each sale, particularly at record-breaking prices, underscores jadeite’s enduring status as a luxury item that transcends time and continues to mesmerize collectors and jewelers worldwide.