Mary Anning

Mary Anning painstakingly dug out the first Ichthyosaurus skeleton in 1811 at the age of 12, after her brother found the skull. But even after finding the first full Plesiosaurus skeleton in 1823, the first pterosaur outside Germany, and her other additions to the study of paleontology, the scientific community was hesitant to acknowledge her role in finding these fossils. Male scientists would refuse to credit her with her discoveries, and the Geological Society of London refused to admit her to their ranks. 
 
For this groundbreaking scientist who persisted in her studies despite the heavy opposition that she faced, I created this necklace. The design is similar to the Cassandra to echo the fondness for neo-classical designs in the early 1800s. I added fossil jasper beads on steel pins to the knots of steel links to honor her discoveries.