stenar

Stenar is the Swedish word for stones. In geology and everyday language, a stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineral-like substances. Stones occur in a wide range of sizes and can form part of the Earth’s crust or be transported and shaped for use.

Stones are commonly grouped into three broad rock types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Igneous rocks form when molten material cools, producing examples such as granite and basalt. Sedimentary rocks are built from accumulated grains or chemical precipitates, including limestone, sandstone, and shale. Metamorphic rocks result from heat and pressure altering existing rocks, such as marble, quartzite, and slate. Stones can also be fragments or blocks quarried for building, paving, or decoration.

The appearance and behavior of stones are influenced by properties such as hardness, grain size, color, and fracture. Weathering and erosion shape stone surfaces over time, while human techniques for cutting, shaping, and finishing stones enable their use in construction, sculpture, and landscaping. Precious stones, or ädelstenar, are a subset valued for rarity and beauty and are distinguished from common building stones.

Commonly cited examples include granite, limestone, sandstone, marble, basalt, and quartzite. Quarrying and extraction of stones have significant economic and environmental implications, and many regions regulate quarry operations and preserve notable geological sites.