Stone & Surface Backlighting

Backlighting onyx, translucent quartz or resin panels is an exercise in uniformity, not brightness. The surface magnifies every variation behind it: a strip with visible dots produces a row of hot spots through the stone, and a strip too close to the panel produces a bright stripe with dark bands either side.

The two variables are density and cavity depth. Dense COB tape gives the most even source; the cavity behind the panel needs enough depth for the light to spread before it reaches the material — usually a minimum of 40–60mm depending on the translucency, and more for thicker slabs.

Color temperature shifts as it passes through stone. Onyx pushes warm, and a 4000K strip can read closer to 3000K through the slab, so specify against a lit sample of the actual material rather than against a swatch.