Kidney stones typically look like small, pebble-like objects that can vary widely in size, shape, color, and texture. They may be as tiny as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball or even a ping-pong ball. Their surfaces can be smooth or jagged, sometimes with sharp edges
. In terms of color, kidney stones usually range from brown to yellow. However, their color depends on their composition:
- Calcium oxalate stones are often dark brown or black.
- Uric acid stones tend to be yellow or reddish-brown.
- Struvite stones can be larger and may vary in color.
- Cystine stones are typically amber and partially opaque
Because kidney stones are formed from crystallized minerals in urine, their appearance reflects the chemical makeup of these crystals. They may sometimes be visible when passed, appearing as small stones in the toilet or in a strainer, but often they are too small to be easily seen
. In summary, kidney stones look like small, hard, pebble-like objects that can be brown, yellow, black, or amber, with smooth or jagged surfaces, and vary greatly in size from tiny grains to golf-ball-sized stones
