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T-Rex skull necklace | 18K gold vermeil
In 1990 Sue Hendrickson discovered the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever found in the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota. It changed everything paleontologists knew about T-Rex body structure and biomechanics. The T-Rex skull necklace is a 23 mm gold pendant marking that moment and the science that followed.
The Science Behind Tyrannosaurus rex
Tyrannosaurus rex lived in the Late Cretaceous period, 68-66 million years ago. At approximately 12-13 metres long and 8-9 tonnes, it was the largest known tyrannosaurid and one of the apex predators of North America. Its bite force is estimated at 35,000-57,000 Newtons, the highest bite force of any terrestrial animal yet documented. The most complete T-Rex specimen, named "Sue" after its discoverer Susan Hendrickson, was found in the Hell Creek Formation in 1990 and is housed at the Field Museum in Chicago. It revolutionized understanding of T-Rex biomechanics, gait, and growth. Debate over whether T-Rex was exclusively a predator or also a scavenger continues, but evidence increasingly supports an apex-predator role.
Worn By
- paleontologists specializing in Cretaceous dinosaurs and tyrannosaurid evolution
- vertebrate paleobiologists studying bite mechanics and predator biology
- museum curators and science educators who guide people through fossil interpretations
- people who have stood in front of the Sue skeleton and felt the scale of deep time
Most often given at the moment someone completes a degree in paleontology or reaches a significant research milestone in their work.
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FAQ
Is this for paleontologists only?
Primarily, yes. The T-Rex skull resonates most with paleontologists, vertebrate biologists, and people whose career centers on deep-time thinking and fossil interpretation. But it also speaks to anyone whose imagination was seized by dinosaurs, who has stood in front of a museum skeleton and felt the weight of 68 million years, or who studies modern animals and the ancient lineages they inherited.
Why does the Sue specimen matter so much?
Because it's complete. Most T-Rex fossils are fragmentary, scattered across multiple specimens and with bones missing. Sue is roughly 85% complete, a rarity in vertebrate paleontology. That completeness allowed researchers to measure skull proportions, jaw mechanics, skeletal growth, and locomotor capabilities directly from a single animal. The data from Sue rewrote what we know about T-Rex body structure, feeding behavior, and development. Finding a complete large-animal fossil is a once-in-a-career event.
What size and material?
18K gold vermeil, 23 mm pendant on a 45 cm gold vermeil chain (ø 1.8 mm) with a 5 cm extender. Nickel-free and hypoallergenic. Free worldwide DHL Express in 1-5 business days, with all import duties and taxes covered. 30-day “Love It or Return It” returns.
Is there a silver T-Rex skull?
Not currently. We are developing a T-Rex skull in sterling silver as a future release to pair with this gold version. If you prefer silver or are interested in the pair when both are live, let us know.
Animal skulls & bones
Drawing upon the intricate architecture of animal anatomy, our collection captures the haunting beauty of skulls and bones. Each piece serves as a tactile memento mori, reminding us of the delicate balance between life and death. Crafted with scientific accuracy, these masterpieces evoke a sense of awe and curiosity, offering a tribute to the intricacies of the natural world. Far more than mere adornments, they are conversation-starters that provoke intellectual dialogue.
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