How to Grade Cattle Gallstones
In Summary
Golden, intact, large, and pure stones = highest grade.
Dull, cracked, mixed, or impure stones = lower grade.
1. Color and Appearance
Top Grade: Bright golden yellow, reddish-golden, or orange. Glossy surface, uniform color.
Medium Grade: Yellow to brownish, with some dullness or mixed shades.
Low Grade: Dark brown, black, or greyish stones. Dull surface, uneven appearance.
2. Shape and Integrity
Whole, round or oval stones with smooth surfaces are the most valuable.
Irregular, cracked, or broken stones reduce the grade.
Powder, fragments, or mixtures of small pieces are considered lowest grade.
3. Purity and Composition
Stones with fewer fibers, impurities, or inclusions are higher grade.
Buyers sometimes confirm purity with lab tests (checking bilirubin, bile pigment, cholesterol, calcium salts).
4. Size and Weight
Larger stones are more valuable per gram than very small ones.
Uniformity in size across a batch increases the grade.
5. Odor and Texture
A light, natural animal smell is normal.
Waxy but firm texture is preferred.
Overly brittle, chalky, or foul-smelling stones are downgraded.
6. Moisture Content
Properly dried stones (firm, not damp) are valued higher.
Excess moisture lowers the grade and raises suspicion of tampering.