Oregon's state gemstone, the Oregon sunstone, comes in various colors. According to experts, clear red is the least common color and the most sought-after. Submitted photo

HOMESPUN QUILTS

Original quilt designs shine in a new exhibit at Homespun Quilts, featuring artful work by four North Coast quilt designers. Meet Emi Clark, Dale Owen, Constance Waisanen and Lydia Sorenson from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 14, during Arts Night Out in Astoria. Art lovers are invited to view these spectacular quilts worthy of mounting on a wall, and chat with the designers over refreshments. The works will remain on display until June 30.

These one-of-a-kind quilts are made by the quilt designer. Ideas come from nature, a whim, perhaps a vision or a dream, and they are not intended for duplication by others. The design may take a geometric form, or be more abstract and covered with glitz. All of the quilts carry an emotional expression that may or not be visible to the viewer.

Homespun Quilts is located at 108 10th St. For more information, call (503) 325-3300 or visit www.homespunquilt.com

HOLLY MCHONE JEWELRY

Holly McHone Jewelry will host local gemstone cutter Mike Funk from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 14, in conjunction with Arts Night Out in Astoria. Funk will have a large display of his cut and polished gemstones, including many examples of Oregon’s state gemstone, the Oregon sunstone.

Funk is a native Astorian who has spent years developing new ways to cut gemstones and has some very interesting and beautiful gemstones as a result. Oregon sunstone is a fine quality gem found only in prehistoric lake beds in the high desert of South Central Oregon, where Funk is co-owner of a sunstone mine. Colored by tiny bits of copper, sunstones can be found in shimmering tones of peach, prairie green, sunset orange or flaming red.

Holly McHone Jewelry, one of the largest dealers of fine Oregon sunstone jewelry and loose gemstones in the state, is located at 1150 Commercial St. For more information, call (503) 325-8029.