Many people are not willing to pay such a high price for a small sculpture. They do not realize the time and artistry it takes to create a fine piece. To make a living as a jade carver, as with any art, is very difficult. Few patrons exist these days, and the age of kings and emperors is gone. Jade is not considered a precious stone as such, so one does not find many goldsmiths working with jade.
Jewellers seek precious stones, which are more valuable, especially when set in gold.
There is not a lot of mark-up on jade. Jade is polished with leather using chrome, Linde A, tin oxide, Rapid Polish or diamond, according to Hing Wa Lee in his excellent book, How to Carve Jade and Gems , by June Culp Zeitner and Hing Wa Lee. For those wishing to carve jade, this book is recommended. Makepeace, Kirk, Jade West. Northern Gem Press.