A choker is the necklace people are most nervous about. It sits right at the base of your neck, so everyone sees it, and if it's too tight you feel it all day.
The good news is that most of the worry goes away once the fit is right. We've learned a few things from making them.
Start with the fit
A choker should sit snug without pressing on your throat. You should be able to swallow, turn your head and talk without noticing it.
The four chokers Ellie makes are wire-worked, which means the beads are wired into a collar shape rather than strung on a cord. That helps. If one feels loose, put it on and gently squeeze it with your fingers to shape it to your neck. If it feels a little tight, ease it open the same way. Go slowly, a little at a time, and stop when it feels right.
If you'd like one made to your measurements, send us your neck size on our order page.
Match it to your neckline
- Scoop or V-neck. The choker fills the space and stands on its own. This is the easiest combination.
- Strapless or off the shoulder. Bare shoulders and a statement collar look balanced together.
- High necklines. A choker will fight a turtleneck or a collar. Skip it, or wear a longer necklace instead.
- Open collar shirt. A smaller choker can sit just above the collar bones.
Let it be the only statement piece
Our chokers are full of colour and texture, so they don't need help. Wear small earrings or none at all, and keep your hair up or off your neck so the necklace has room.
Four to look at
The Turquoise Wire Choker is the boldest. It's packed with turquoise chips, amber, coral and mixed semi-precious beads, and it looks as good over a plain black top as it does over a white shirt.
The Quartz & Turquoise Wire Choker is lighter. Clear quartz chips are scattered with turquoise rounds, bronze freshwater pearls, citrine and faceted crystal, so it picks up whatever you wear it with.
The Citrine & Quartz Drop Choker has a large polished clear quartz drop at the centre in an ornate silver setting, surrounded by warm citrine, amethyst and smoky quartz. It looks best with something simple behind it.
The Pearl & Crystal Statement Choker is the one for a wedding. It mixes genuine freshwater pearls with glass pearls and faceted crystals, and it catches the light well in photos.
Turquoise Wire Choker$360 CAD
Quartz & Turquoise Wire Choker$270 CAD
Citrine & Quartz Drop Choker$280 CAD
Pearl & Crystal Statement Choker$299 CAD
Chokers for a wedding
If you're the bride, a pearl choker with a simple strapless or V-neck dress is hard to beat. Guests can wear a coloured one with a plain dress. Either way, try it on with the neckline you're planning to wear, not with the shirt you have on now.
Looking after it
Wire-worked chokers keep their shape better if you store them flat or hung up instead of balled in a drawer. Put on jewellery last, after perfume and hairspray, and wipe it with a soft dry cloth when you take it off. Our care guide has more.
Find yours
Each choker is one of a kind. When one is gone, it's gone. You can see everything on our jewellery page.
Gemstone jewellery by Ellie
Every piece is one of a kind, strung and wired by hand in Markham, Ontario.
Explore the jewellery →