Heart-shaped stones
A heart-shaped stone is one of the most beautiful finds on a walk. It has been shaped by water, ice and time, and still it looks as if someone had placed it there just for you.
Heart-shaped stones are the classic among everyday hearts. They are one of the largest categories in our gallery, and many of them were found on ordinary walks: on a gravel path, at the edge of a field, in the snow, on a mountain trail. Some are clearly shaped, others only show a heart from one side or as a dark spot in the asphalt.
Where to find heart-shaped stones
Stones get their shape from being moved and worn down, so the best places are where water or ice has done that work for a long time.
- Pebble beaches and lake shores. Waves roll stones against each other and round them off. Look along the line where the water stops.
- River banks and gravel bars. After high water, new stones are often exposed. Rivers in the Alps and the Jura carry a lot of limestone, which wears into soft shapes.
- Mountain paths. Frost splits rock into angular pieces, and some of them happen to break into a heart.
- Gravel paths, walls and pavements. Do not forget the city. A heart can also be a pebble in concrete or a hole in the asphalt.
The trick is to look slowly. Walk a few metres, stop and let your eyes scan the ground without searching for anything in particular. Our brain is good at spotting familiar shapes when we stop forcing it, which is explained in our guide why we see hearts everywhere.
Take a photo, or take the stone?
A photo is always a good choice. If you would like to take a stone home, check local rules first: in nature reserves and national parks, removing stones is often not allowed. Many people also like to leave a heart where it is, for the next person to find. The Heart Rock Guy, whom we introduced in our blog, goes one step further and places handmade stone hearts in public places for strangers to discover.
What does a heart-shaped stone mean?
There is no scientific meaning. For many people, a heart stone is simply a small gift from nature and a reminder to stop for a moment. Some give them to someone they love, others keep them on a windowsill as a reminder. At loveiseverywhere we see them as exactly what our name says: a sign that love is everywhere, even in something as plain as a stone.
Questions about heart-shaped stones
Where are heart-shaped stones most likely to be found?
On pebble beaches, lake shores, river banks and gravel bars, where water has rounded the stones over a long time. Mountain paths and gravel roads are also good places.
Am I allowed to take heart stones home?
In many places a single stone is no problem, but in nature reserves and national parks it is often forbidden. When in doubt, take a photo and leave the stone.
How do I photograph a heart stone well?
Use soft side light, hold the phone parallel to the stone and leave a little of the surroundings in the picture. More tips are in our photo guide.
Spotted a heart today?
Send us your photo. No account, no app: your name, your email, your picture. That is all it takes to show someone else that love is everywhere.
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