Choker Necklaces
1980s Brazilian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Brazilian Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Quartz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Kyanite, Silver, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Vermeil, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Quartz, Other, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal
1990s French Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal, Gold
1990s French Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1960s French Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Malachite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Quartz, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Mixed Metal, Gold, Vermeil
1980s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, Beryl, Morganite, Gold Plate
1970s Contemporary Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Silver, Sterling Si...
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Other, Mixed Metal
2010s American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1970s French Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Choker Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Hematite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Choker Necklaces
Aquamarine, Sterling Silver
Vintage Choker Necklaces
Vintage choker necklaces are elegant, alluring and stylish. Cameos, pearls, diamonds and other stones can decorate these necklaces, which come in single or multiple strands. Whether it is a statement piece or a delicate chain, these short necklaces always stand out and turn heads.
The history of the choker can be traced back thousands of years, with Sumerian examples discovered from 2600–2500 B.C. They endured as a popular form of adornment through the centuries, and during the French Revolution they took on a symbolic significance. Women wore ribbons around their throats to mark the passing of those killed by the guillotine. Soon, the plain ribbons were adorned with small cameos and other ornamentation.
European choker necklaces gained a salacious reputation in the 19th century when prostitutes were associated with black ribbons tied around the neck, such as the model in Édouard Manet’s Olympia (1863). Queen Alexandra, Princess of Wales, reversed the trend in the late 19th century by wearing a large pearl and diamond choker, reputedly to hide a scar.
Fashioned from gold, pearls and other precious stones and metals, chokers continued to be worn into the 20th century, alternately statements of wealth and rebellion. They experienced periods of revival in the 1920s, ’40s, ’70s and ’90s for both men and women.
Vintage chokers make a statement with an unmistakable air of femininity. On 1stDibs, find an alluring collection of vintage chokers today, including gold, sapphire and emerald chokers.