Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Quartz, Pearl, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Coral, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Artisan Vintage Choker Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Topaz, Blue Sapphire, Quartz, Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Coral, Citrin...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Peridot, Topaz, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold, Silver
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Brass, Gilt Metal
1980s American Baroque Vintage Choker Necklaces
Citrine, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Topaz, Peridot, Citrine
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Topaz...
Mid-20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century British Georgian Antique Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Sterling Silver
1970s French Modernist Vintage Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Topaz, Quartz, White Diamond, Diamond, Citrine, Amethyst, Gold, Yellow G...
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, White Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold
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.