While the Sunnah is to collect pebbles at مزدلفہ during the overnight stay, scholars agree that pebbles may be collected from anywhere — مزدلفہ, منیٰ, or any other location. The ground at مزدلفہ is covered with suitable small stones. Collect them during the evening or early morning before departure.
The number of pebbles needed depends on how many days you stay in منیٰ. If you leave on the 12th of Dhul Hijjah (Nafr Awwal / early departure), you need 49 pebbles: 7 for جمرات al-Aqabah on the 10th, 21 for all three pillars on the 11th (7 each), and 21 for all three pillars on the 12th (7 each). If you stay until the 13th, you need 70 pebbles (an additional 21 for the 13th). It is wise to collect a few extra in case any are dropped or lost during the stoning.
Each pebble should be about the size of a chickpea or date pit — roughly 1-2 cm in diameter. They should not be too large (which could injure someone) or too small (which might not count). Avoid using broken pieces of concrete, bricks, or other manufactured materials — natural stones from the ground are what is required. Wash the pebbles if you can and store them in a small cloth bag, ziplock bag, or even in the folds of your احرام belt for easy access during the stoning.