Bright-Eyed Dealer: Hettie Jago

Basic Information

Life, passion, and the making of an expert

Hettie Jago’s story reads like a map of influences: a childhood threaded through antique furniture shops, an apprenticeship in valuation, and then the bright arc into television. Born on 16 June 1989 in London, she was raised in a household where the past felt tactile — wooden drawers, brass fittings, and stories lodged in lacquered surfaces. Her father, an antique furniture dealer, gave more than instruction; he handed down a way of seeing: consider provenance, surface, maker’s marks, and the small oddness that separates the valuable from the merely old.

From junior roles at a major auction house to the rostrum as an auctioneer, Hettie learned the trade in practical stages. She trained her eye on hallmarks and patina, learned to read an object as if it were a page, and acquired the knack of translating value into narrative: why a brooch is worth more than metal, and why a piece of silver carries the geography of taste. That skill — the capacity to tell an object’s backstory in two sentences while the auctioneer’s hammer waits — is the engine of her career.

There is craft behind her television charisma. The camera finds warmth and clarity in her manner, but the work itself is build-it-and-keep-it: cataloguing, attribution, condition reports, and the slow accretion of trust with sellers and buyers. She combines scholarly attention to detail with the commerce of auctions, and that blend has become her professional signature.

Family, privacy, and personal life

Hettie presents a measured boundary between public expertise and private life. She is married to Tom Jago, who shares her enthusiasm for antiques; together they appear to collaborate, quietly, rather than court the tabloid angle. Her father’s role as an antiques dealer is often referenced as formative, though specific family details are scarce — by design or by temperament, she chooses to keep family out of the spotlight.

That discretion matters in an era when every on-screen personality risks being flattened into a social-media caricature. Hettie’s selective public presence suggests she values professional identity over personal exposure. Social posts tend to highlight finds, auction days, and the occasional behind-the-scenes moment, not family drama. The effect is intentional: the antiques expert first; the private person kept intact.

Career highlights and impact

Hettie’s résumé is a ladder of practical experience, punctuated by visible TV moments. She began as a junior jewellery expert at a major auction house, where she sharpened her skills in valuation and cataloguing. She now auctions with Arthur Johnson & Sons and runs Hettie Jago Jewellery, a business focused on pre-loved and vintage silver and jewellery.

TV appearances accelerated her profile. Since debuting on Antiques Road Trip in 2023, she has featured in multiple episodes — often pairing with other experts on themed hunts — and has appeared on Bargain Hunt and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. Her on-screen contributions are concise: quick tips for spotting real silver, the value of maker’s marks, and the pleasures of sustainable jewellery. On camera she delivers knowledge in digestible bursts, the modern equivalent of passing along the trade’s oral lore.

Her business model mixes auction commissions, sales from her own stock, and fees from television and speaking events. The combination of on-screen authority and market access creates a virtuous cycle: TV exposure brings consignments; consignments create sales; sales fund further curatorial projects.

Financial picture and professional operations

Estimated at roughly US$1.5 million, Hettie’s financial profile is better described as entrepreneurial than celebrity-level wealth. The estimate aggregates auction income, television fees, and turnover from Hettie Jago Jewellery; it does not imply a single large windfall. Her work centers on volume and curatorial credibility: dozens or hundreds of preloved pieces move through her channels each year, and headline sales — a notable diamond brooch in 2025, for example — raise both her profile and the business’s turnover.

Running an auctioneering career today requires multiple revenue streams. There are commissions on sales, buyer’s premiums, and advisory fees for private clients. Hettie’s model also leans into sustainability trends: preloved jewellery appeals to buyers who want ethical alternatives to new mining, and her vintage focus positions her within that market.

Recent activity and media footprint

2024–2025 marked a visible phase in Hettie’s career: recurring spots on Antiques Road Trip, a Bargain Hunt appearance, and a steady flow of auction highlights posted to social media. She averages professional posts across X and Instagram where she teases episodes, posts condition-closeups, and shares short clips from auctions. Audience engagement is respectful and niche: collectors, fellow specialists, and viewers who enjoy the thrill of finding a hidden gem.

Her public image is that of a rising expert rather than a megastar. Reviews from colleagues and fans call her “a wonderful addition” to the antiques shows, and industry chatter frames her as part of a new guard — younger, media-savvy, but firmly rooted in the trade’s practical requirements.

Timeline & notable milestones

Social & professional platforms (snapshot)

FAQ

Who is Hettie Jago?

Hettie Jago is a British auctioneer and antiques expert specializing in jewellery and silver, known for her TV appearances and her vintage jewellery business.

How old is she?

She was born on 16 June 1989, which makes her mid-thirties as of the mid-2020s.

What TV shows has she been on?

She has appeared on Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt, and related antiques programming as a valuation expert.

What does she specialise in?

Her focus is jewellery and silver, particularly mid–20th-century pieces and preloved vintage jewellery.

Is she married?

Yes; she is married to Tom Jago, who shares her interest in antiques and collaborates on some projects.

Where does she work?

She auctions with Arthur Johnson & Sons, runs Hettie Jago Jewellery, and travels for TV filming and valuation work.

What is her estimated net worth?

Estimates place her around US$1.5 million, derived from auction commissions, TV work, and retail sales, though figures are approximate.

How can people see her work?

Her auction appearances, social media profiles, and the Hettie Jago Jewellery shop showcase items she handles and sells.