Choker Necklaces
2010s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Romantic Choker Necklaces
Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Chalcedony, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, White Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Silver
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 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.