Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances that develop in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped sac located below your liver in the right upper abdomen. Gallstones form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material. The liquidācalled bileāhelps the body digest fats. Bile is made in the liver and then stored in the gallbladder until the body needs it. The gallbladder contracts and pushes the bile into a tubeācalled the common bile ductāthat carries it to the small intestine, where it helps with digestion.