Jeweled Carcanets, Necklaces and Chokers

In the early part of the 1500s the word carcanet came into use. It refered to jewelry such as chokers, necklaces and chains, typically made of precious metals. In the renaissance era it typically refers to a matching necklace that often was made in a similar pattern to a specific choker. Though I have found some people refer to the two pieces the other way around. Either way one refers to the pieces, the style was to wear what is called a choker in modern times, and a matching necklace, the bottom part of which was often was tucked into a ladies bodice. In the Tudor and Elizabethan eras this was most certainly an important style in jewelry. For whatever it is worth to you Herbert Norris refers to the choker, or shorter necklace as the carcanet.

This necklace is more of a choker style, though it can be made longer. It has a piece that hangs down from the center as a pendant. This necklace ties in the back with velvet ribbon as was the normal closure for the era. This piece of jewelry is made of pewter and the details of the casting easily seen due to the oxidation.

The jewels used in this case are fresh water pearls and carnelian. many other types of gemstones can be used to make the necklace individual. The metal can be plated in very thick layer of gold and all the jewels can be interchanged as the client desires.

Please feel free to ask us how we can design a carcanet for you..

Made of oxidized pewter, this choker would often have been worn in tandem with a matching longer necklace or chain. This example has fresh water pearls and carnelian as it's gem stones. On occasion the longer necklace which was often tucked into the bodice, might instead be pined at the corners of the bodice.

Incidentally, the word carcanet is also spelled carkanet or carcant. If you are reading some Shakespeare and are wondering about the spelling variations, the words all mean the same thing. And they are probably good words to know if you do crossword puzzles.