If you are using onyx tiles you’ll need a substrate which is not transparent nor translucent. Placing the light source beneath the tiles will not be an option. You can place lighting along the sides of the tile and those will light them to a point. The light will diminish toward the center of the tiles utilizing that method. The amount of led’s is entirely dependent on how bright you want it – there is no standard for that, it’s a personal choice.

Florescent lights can be used behind transparent or translucent surfaces. It is normally a better option for backlighting.

We do all sizes of jobs. You’ll need a good wet saw with a glass blade on it, trowel for your thinset and grouting supplies. Those are the very basics. Am I understanding you correctly – you only want to install a total of 3 or 4 tiles?

To backlight onyx on a wall installation it must be installed to cladding. That is a panel or mechanical fastening which allows the onyx to have space between the wall and the back of the stone. This open area is where the lights are installed. There is no ‘clear’ adhesive to use for this type of installation. There are different methods that *may* work but none have been tested long-term, none of which I’m aware anyway.

Im covering the bathroom walls with honey colored onyx, 1/2 in thick, and I want to backlight it, what kind of adhesive can I use to that? I need some kind of clear glue to hold the lights and tiles.

I am also covering another bathroom with dark green onyx, but this thicker, 1 1/2, and it will also have LED lights in the back. What can I use for this as an adhesive?

Any natural stone requires considerably more maintenance than ceramic or porcelain. Natural stones also have ‘layers’ or degrees of required maintenance in specific applications. Onyx is fairly brittle so it does not handle items such as skillets being dropped on it very well. It chips easily if you aren’t careful. ‘Honed’ simply means the stone surface has been ground to a flat, consistent surface.

Properly sealed, with a very good sealer, and cleaned with the proper products (Ph neutral stone cleaners) it will last very well. It will require regular, specific maintenance, though.

Thank you for the kind words!

The look really depends on your particular taste. Some people lean more toward a contrasting color scheme and some toward a complimenting.

The golden butterfly, in my opinion, would end up really orange with a honey or amber onyx backsplash. The golden oak would look good. You may also want to take a look at colombo gold, madura gold, or calypso gold granites. Any of them would compliment a honey or amber onyx backsplash.

Hope that helps.