But the most collectors do not have the knowledge to make decisions about how to illuminate their displays once they have them. A collection displayed in a poorly lit basement or garage is just one step above storing minerals in cardboard boxes. This article will present basic lighting considerations and solutions that are unique to mineral collectors. Every collector thinks the first consideration of display lighting is color temperature. This is wrong.
Color temperature is important to photography, but is a secondary consideration to displays.
The next section will discuss color , color temperature, and light types. The first consideration is the type of coverage and distribution. Every exhibit or window display designer uses light-selection as the primary tool to enhance the objects on display. Options available are diffuse overhead panels, back-lighting light boxes, linear fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs, and halogens. The primary concern is the size of the light source.