Before ordering any LED lighting or finalizing your slab, there’s one essential step we recommend to every client: test your stone for backlighting first.
Translucent materials like Onyx, Quartzite, and certain Marbles can vary dramatically in how they react to backlighting — even within the same batch. Doing a simple backlight test can help ensure you get the glowing, high-end effect you’re expecting.
Why Backlighting Tests Are So Important
Even the most beautiful stone slab can fall flat if it doesn’t transmit light well — or worse, if it reveals LED dots, shadows, or seam lines once lit from behind.
Backlighting tests help you:
- Understand how much light the stone actually transmits
- Identify if you’ll need a diffusion layer or acrylic spacer
- Catch potential trouble spots before installation
- Choose the best slab from your supplier before fabrication begins
Step-by-Step Guide: Testing Your Stone
1. Visit the Stone Yard in Person
Whenever possible, view the slabs in person. Ask your stone supplier if they have a backlit wall or allow for light testing onsite. Seeing it with direct light behind it — not just overhead showroom lighting — makes all the difference.
2. Use a Flashlight or Phone
Place a flashlight or your phone’s light directly behind the slab. If it glows evenly and beautifully, you’re likely good to go. If you see harsh light points or uneven brightness, you’ll probably want to plan for a diffusion layer or a clear acrylic spacer in the layering system.
3. Test Multiple Areas of the Slab
Move the light around different sections. Some areas may glow brightly while others may appear dull. Watch for patches of dense veining or minerals that can block light, especially in natural materials like Cristallo Quartzite or certain Onyxes.
4. Take Photos of the Backlit Result
Photograph both the lit and unlit appearance of the slab. This makes it easier to reference later when choosing between slabs — and it helps your lighting supplier build the right system to match the characteristics of your material.
What If You Can’t Test the Stone Yourself?
If you’re working remotely or your stone yard doesn’t allow testing, ask your fabricator or designer to help. They can often photograph a slab with light behind it, or give you insight into how other projects with similar materials turned out.
When in doubt, we can also review slab photos and advise whether diffusion or spacing will be needed based on our experience with hundreds of similar installations.
After the Test: What’s Next?
Once you know how your slab behaves with backlighting, we’ll help you:
- Determine the right layering system (e.g., direct mount, acrylic spacer, diffusion)
- Choose the right color temperature (warm, neutral, or cool white)
- Finalize cutouts, wiring plans, and dimming options for a smooth installation
📩 Need Help? Contact Us
Nu World Custom Lighting and Design
info@nu-wo.com
1-604-900-2313
https://nu-wo.com
We ship precision-built, ultra-thin LED lighting systems across North America. Let us help you bring your stone to life — the right way.