What color temperature works behind onyx?
It depends on the stone and desired mood. Warm light often enriches gold and amber minerals, while neutral light can preserve whites and greens. Always mock it up.
Back to the catalog
Natural stone by application
Backlit onyx and translucent natural stone
Backlit stone is architecture and lighting in one surface. Translucency, mineral density, slab thickness and the lighting cavity determine whether the result feels seamless or visibly engineered.
Verified U.S. inventory13 material profiles1 slabs represented
What to prioritize
Design the light before approving the stone
Onyx is the signature backlit material, but every slab transmits light differently. Test the physical piece with the intended light temperature, diffusion and support system before fabrication.
- 01
Translucency mapped across the entire individual slab
- 02
Even lighting, heat management and service access
- 03
Backing, reinforcement, seams and edge details tested as a mockup
Compare at a glance
A better material decision starts with performance.
Use these reference values to narrow the field before requesting samples, current slab photography, and project-specific fabrication guidance.
| Material | Water absorption | Hardness (Mohs) | Acid sensitivity | Sealing required | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Verde Onice KhorasanOnyx | 0.7% | 3 | High | Yes | 1 slabs |
Technical values are indicative references based on stone family and available material data. Confirm final performance, finish, sealing, and fabrication requirements against the selected physical slab before specification.
Backlighting
Recommended by spec for backlighting
Translucency puts these materials first. Other catalog stones still appear below.
Rosso editorial pickOnyx · Italy
Verde Onice Khorasan
Also in the catalog
Other stones, still available.
The room does not hide a stone. These sit after the spec-led shortlist so you can still compare hardness, absorption and acid resistance.
Marble · Italy
Calacatta Borghini
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 4
Quartzite · Brazil
Taj Mahal
- Absorption
- 0.35%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 7
Quartzite · Brazil
Patagonia
- Absorption
- 0.25%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 3
Quartzite · Brazil
Calacatta Bahia
- Absorption
- 0.3%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 5
Granite · Brazil
Verde Ubatuba
- Absorption
- 0.2%
- Mohs
- 6
- Slabs
- 9
Quartzite · Brazil
Bianco Mar
- Absorption
- 0.3%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 6
Granite · Brazil
Black Cosmic
- Absorption
- 0.2%
- Mohs
- 6
- Slabs
- 4
Marble · Italy
Statuario Venato
- Absorption
- 0.2%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 2
Marble · Italy
Bardiglio Imperiale
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 5
Marble · Greece
Thassos Ultra White
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 3
Marble · Greece
Volakas Premium
- Absorption
- 0.4%
- Mohs
- 3–4
- Slabs
- 6
Quartzite · Brazil
Fusion
- Absorption
- 0.305%
- Mohs
- 7
- Slabs
- 4
Common questions
Specifying stone for backlighting
Does backlit stone need special reinforcement?
Often yes. Translucent stone can be fragile, and the support must preserve light transmission while meeting structural requirements.
Need a second set of eyes?