When a Cambridge graduate with a passion for silver jewelry steps into the world of British auctioneering and television, something special happens. Hettie Jago has become one of the most recognizable faces on BBC’s Antiques Road Trip, bringing fresh energy to an industry steeped in tradition. Her work at Arthur Johnson & Sons Auctioneers in Nottingham, combined with her own jewelry business and television appearances, shows how expertise and authenticity can create a memorable career path.
Who is Hettie Jago?
Hettie Jago is a British auctioneer, jewelry specialist, and television personality who’s made her mark in the antiques world. Working as an auctioneer and valuer at Arthur Johnson & Sons in Nottingham, she’s also recognized for her regular appearances on BBC’s Antiques Road Trip. Her expertise centers on silver jewelry and vintage collectibles, particularly pieces from the mid-to-late 20th century. She founded Hettie Jago Jewellery in 2016, an online boutique that curates pre-loved and vintage silver pieces. What makes her stand out isn’t just her knowledge—it’s how she shares it with audiences in a way that feels genuine and accessible.
Early Life and Family Background
Born on June 16, 1989, in London, Hettie grew up in Somerset surrounded by the antiques trade. Her father worked as an antique furniture collector and trader, which meant weekends often involved trips to auction houses and antique fairs rather than typical family outings. Her mother’s work as a florist added a creative dimension to her upbringing. These early experiences shaped her understanding of craftsmanship and historical objects in ways that textbooks never could.
Walking through auction rooms as a child, she learned to spot quality pieces and appreciate the stories behind them. The smell of old wood, the sound of the auctioneer’s gavel, and the excitement of bidding wars became familiar parts of her world. This wasn’t just exposure to antiques—it was an education in recognizing value, understanding provenance, and respecting the work of artisans from different eras.
Education and Professional Training
Hettie attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School in London, where she excelled in history and art. She went on to graduate from the University of Cambridge in 2011 with an honors degree in History of Art. Her academic work gave her the theoretical foundation that would later support her practical career in auctioneering. Studying art history at Cambridge meant analyzing pieces from different periods, understanding artistic movements, and learning how social and economic factors influenced what people created and collected.
This education wasn’t just about memorizing dates and artists. It taught her how to look at objects critically, assess their historical context, and communicate their significance to others. The combination of formal training and childhood exposure to the antiques world created a solid base for her future work as both an auctioneer and television expert.
Career Journey: From Junior Expert to Television Personality
After Cambridge, Hettie started as a junior expert in the jewelry department at Bonhams auction house. She spent several years there building her expertise in jewelry valuation and learning the inner workings of a major auction house. In September 2020, she made a move that surprised some in the industry—leaving a prestigious London auction house to join Arthur Johnson & Sons Auctioneers in Nottingham. She started as a photographer and cataloguer, roles that might seem like a step back but gave her hands-on experience with every aspect of the business.
By May 2021, she’d been promoted to auctioneer and valuer, conducting live auctions and advising clients. The transition from behind-the-scenes work to standing at the podium with the gavel taught her the performance aspect of auctioneering. It’s not just about knowing values—it’s about reading the room, managing bidders, and keeping the energy flowing during long auction sessions.
Her television career began in October 2023 with an appearance on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip alongside Owain Wyn Evans and Dianne Buswell. The positive response led to her official competitive debut on November 27, 2023, in Series 27, where she traveled alongside David Harper. Since then, she’s appeared in Series 28 and multiple celebrity episodes, bringing her expertise to a national audience.
Antiques Road Trip and Television Career
On Antiques Road Trip, Hettie travels across the UK, visiting antique shops, markets, and dealers to find hidden treasures. The format gives her a budget to purchase items, which are then sold at auction, with the goal of making a profit. What makes her appealing to viewers isn’t just her knowledge—it’s her genuine excitement when she finds something special. She can explain why a piece of Victorian jewelry matters or what makes an Art Deco brooch valuable without sounding like she’s reading from a textbook.
Her on-screen presence feels natural rather than rehearsed. When she’s negotiating with dealers or examining a piece, viewers get to see the thought process behind her decisions. She asks questions, shares what she’s looking for, and sometimes admits when she’s not sure about something. This honesty makes her more relatable than experts who present themselves as knowing everything.
Auctioneer and Valuer
At Arthur Johnson & Sons Auctioneers, Hettie’s work involves cataloging items that come in for sale, conducting live auctions, and advising clients on valuations and provenance. Each auction requires her to research items, write descriptions that will attract buyers, and set realistic estimates. During live auctions, she manages the pace, recognizes bidders, and makes split-second decisions about how to handle competing offers.
The skills required go beyond knowledge of antiques. She needs to read people, understand market trends, and communicate value clearly. When someone brings in a piece they’ve inherited, they’re often looking for both a financial assessment and a connection to their family history. She balances giving honest valuations with respecting the emotional significance these objects hold.
Her reputation in the regional auction community comes from consistent results and a professional approach to client relationships. She’s not just processing sales—she’s helping people understand what they have and make informed decisions about their possessions.
Jewelry Specialist and Silver Expert
Hettie’s specialization in silver jewelry sets her apart from generalist auctioneers. She’s particularly drawn to statement pieces from the mid-to-late 20th century—chunky chains, gemstone-set rings, and sterling silver necklaces that were made to be noticed. What attracts her to these pieces is a combination of timeless style and quality craftsmanship. Each item represents someone’s work, whether it’s a Victorian silversmith or a modernist designer experimenting with new forms.
When evaluating silver jewelry, she looks at several factors: the quality of the silver itself, the craftsmanship of the setting, the condition of any gemstones, and signs of the piece’s age and origin. She can spot the difference between machine-made and handcrafted work, recognize hallmarks that indicate when and where something was made, and assess whether repairs or modifications have affected the value.
Her eye for Victorian, Art Deco, and modernist pieces reflects a broader understanding of jewelry history. Each period had different aesthetic priorities and manufacturing techniques, which show up in the finished pieces. This specialization informs her television work and her own jewelry business.
Hettie Jago Jewellery: Entrepreneurial Venture
In 2016, Hettie founded Hettie Jago Jewellery, an online boutique selling curated vintage and modern silver jewelry through her website, eBay, and Etsy. Her business philosophy centers on sustainability and what she calls “wearable history.” Rather than buying new jewelry, customers can purchase pre-loved pieces that have their own stories and character.
The collection includes statement necklaces, sterling silver chains, gemstone rings, retro brooches, and earrings—all reflecting her personal aesthetic and professional knowledge. She sources pieces through her network in the antiques trade, applies her expertise to assess their quality and authenticity, and curates a selection that meets her standards.
This business sits at the intersection of her auctioneering work and her passion for jewelry. It’s not about mass-market appeal—it’s about finding people who appreciate the history and craftsmanship behind each piece. The online platforms give her a way to reach customers beyond her local area while maintaining control over what she sells.
Hettie Jago Age and Personal Milestones
At 36 years old as of 2025, Hettie brings a younger perspective to a field that often skews older. Her timeline shows steady progress: graduating from Cambridge in 2011, gaining experience at Bonhams, founding her jewelry business in 2016, joining Arthur Johnson & Sons in 2020, and making her television debut in 2023. Each step built on the previous one, creating a career that combines traditional expertise with modern media presence.
Her age matters in an industry where credibility often comes from decades of experience. She’s proven that deep knowledge and genuine passion can establish authority even without gray hair. Her generation’s approach to antiques and collectibles—viewing them as sustainable alternatives to mass-produced items—aligns with broader cultural shifts toward valuing quality and history.
Is Hettie Jago Married? Personal Life and Family
Hettie is married to Tom Jago, a software developer who also graduated from Cambridge. The couple met at university and married around 2015. They have two children: their daughter Matilda and son Arthur. The family lives in the Nottingham area, though some sources mention London connections. They also have a cockapoo named Bertie.
Tom maintains a private profile despite Hettie’s public career. He supports her work while keeping his own professional life separate from her television appearances and social media presence. Balancing a demanding career that involves travel for television filming, regular auctions, and running a business with raising two children requires careful planning and support.
Hettie doesn’t overshare about her family life, but she doesn’t hide it either. Her approach to privacy maintains boundaries while acknowledging that family is an important part of who she is. This balance feels authentic rather than calculated.
Social Media Presence and Public Engagement
On Instagram, where Hettie has over 12,000 followers at @hettie_jago, she posts a mix of professional and personal content. Followers see auction highlights, jewelry pieces from her collection, behind-the-scenes moments from filming Antiques Road Trip, and occasional family snapshots. She also maintains Facebook and Twitter accounts that extend her reach across different platforms.
Her social media serves multiple purposes: educating followers about antiques, promoting her jewelry business, and connecting with fans of the show. Rather than polished, heavily produced content, her posts feel spontaneous and genuine. She’ll share what she found at an auction, explain why a particular piece interests her, or show the reality of television production.
This approachable online presence extends her television personality into daily interactions with followers. People comment with questions about their own antiques, share their appreciation for the show, or ask where they can find pieces like the ones she features. She’s built a community around shared interest in antiques and jewelry.
Hettie Jago Net Worth and Income Sources
Estimates place Hettie’s net worth between £1.2 and £1.5 million as of 2024-2025. Her income comes from multiple sources: her salary as an auctioneer and valuer at Arthur Johnson & Sons, appearance fees from BBC television work on Antiques Road Trip and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, revenue from her online jewelry business across multiple platforms, and potentially consulting or private valuation services.
This diversified approach creates financial stability while allowing her to pursue different aspects of her passion for antiques and jewelry. The television work raises her profile, which benefits her auction work and jewelry business. The auction work keeps her connected to the market and provides material for both television and her boutique. Each element supports the others.
Her net worth reflects not just earnings but also the value she’s built through reputation and expertise. In the antiques world, credibility and connections matter as much as salary figures.
Impact on the Antiques Industry
As a young female expert in a traditionally male-dominated field, Hettie represents a shift in who gets to be the face of antiques expertise. Her television presence and social media engagement bring the world of collecting and valuation to younger audiences who might not have considered it otherwise. She makes the auction world less intimidating by showing the human side of the business—the excitement of finding something special, the detective work of identifying pieces, and the satisfaction of connecting objects with people who’ll appreciate them.
Her promotion of sustainability through vintage and pre-loved jewelry taps into current concerns about consumption and waste. Buying a vintage silver necklace isn’t just about getting jewelry—it’s about owning something with history and supporting a more sustainable approach to fashion and accessories. This message resonates with people looking for alternatives to fast fashion and mass-produced accessories.
Hettie’s contribution goes beyond her individual success. She’s part of a new generation of antiques professionals who blend traditional expertise with modern media skills and business thinking. They understand that making antiques accessible and interesting to wider audiences helps ensure the field’s future relevance. Her work shows that you can respect tradition while adapting to how people discover and engage with information today.
