# Mystical Packaged Pebbles The Formfjord 'Ruhrsteine' Pebble Gets Our Rocks Off By Tiana Reid | Published 2010-05-06 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/formfjord-ruhrsteine-pebble References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2010/05/06/ruhrsteine-by-formfjord/#more-78009) & [formfjord](http://www.formfjord.com) The Formfjord 'Ruhrsteine' pebble is a [packaged concrete pebble](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/romantica-jar) made for the ultimate stone-skipping enthusiast. Designers Fabian Baumann and Sönke Hoof were influenced by the German language, which has 1,000 words for "skipping rocks." [Cast from real stone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fels-coffee-table), the pebbles are collected from the side of the Rhur river. Each Formfjord 'Ruhrsteine' [pebble is encrusted](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wireless-doorbell-concept) with a "throw-away-symbol" that claims to make the tosser happy once the stone is flung--its only practical use. I wonder if the Berlin-based design team ever re-collects one of their manmade stones while searching for new material. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 42% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Packaged Concrete Pebbles:** Opportunity for creating unique and curated gift items for stone-skipping enthusiasts. - **Language-inspired Designs:** Incorporating linguistic elements into product design to create a unique and meaningful consumer experience. - **Throw-away-symbols:** Exploring the use of symbolic elements that add emotional value to products, even if their practical use is limited. ### Who This Affects Most - **Gift and Novelty:** Creating and selling unique and specialized gift items for niche hobbies and interests. - **Product Design:** Incorporating language and cultural influences into product designs to create a deeper connection with consumers. - **Emotional Marketing:** Using symbolic elements to evoke emotions and create a stronger bond between consumers and products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Nature-Inspired Rocky Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pebble-rubble.md) - [Stone-Like Discreet Glass Viewpoints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drifting-stones.md) - [Pavement Brick Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unipaver.md) - [Stacked Pebble-Inspired Towers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calais-port-tower.md) - [Handcrafted Stone Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pebble-stool.md) - [Stone-Like Supportive Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stapelstein.md) - [Mossy Stone-Mirrored Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bravest-studio.md) - [Natural Rock-Imitating Extension Cords](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/power-gem.md) - [Organic Pebble-Patterned Rugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grain-collection.md)