Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but it doesn’t mean that she shouldn’t check out Emeralds, Rubies, Pearls, and Garnets as well. In fact, the most beautiful jewelry is that jewelry that is designed specially for you in whatever metals and gems you like best. There’s no better place to design that jewelry than Gemvara and we are lucky enough to be giving away a $150 gift certificate to their site!

I spent a little while on the Gemvara site today and was amazed. There are so many reasons to customize your own jewelry. Here are just a few that I came up with as I was playing around with their design tool:

• Create “family jewelry” such a s Mother’s pendant with the gemstones for everyone in the family–dad included.
• Create a special initial or birthstone piece for a daughter’s 16th birthday.
• Design a piece in the colors and metals that match most of your outfits so that you have a “go to” piece of jewelry that you can where almost any time.
• Create jewelry that matches a certain outfit that you really want to accessorize to wear to a wedding or reunion.
• Customize a piece of jewelry in such a way that it will fit your own personal budget.
• Create a family heirloom that can be passed down with a personal touch because it was created by the family.

I just love this site and I know that you will, too. Combine their beautiful jewelry with the Gemvara coupons and cash back that we offer on Sunshine Rewards and you will have an exquisite, high quality piece of art for yourself or a loved one that will be cherished over time. Watch the video below and see how you can get entered to win a $150 Gemvara gift certificate.

To enter:

1) Visit Gemvara and create your own piece of jewelry. Leave a comment below with the link to the piece that you design (one entry).

2) Post on Twitter about the contest and leave a comment below with your Tweet (one entry).

3) Blog about this contest or post the contest in your giveaway section and leave your link to the post below (two entries).

Drawing will take place November 15, 2011, at noon Eastern. Must be a US Resident, age 18 or older to enter. Winner will be notified via e-mail and have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.

With less than two weeks left until Mother’s Day, Sunshine Rewards has pulled together a list of terrific deals that are sure to make your mom (and your pocketbook) happy!

1-800-FLORALS Best cash back deal! Earn 10% back on purchases. Most arrangements are delivered by local florists.

1-800-FLOWERS Earn an increased 7% back on your purchase. Plus, save up to 30% on arrangements.

FloraFlora Earn an increased 8% back on purchases plus get 15% off and free delivery with code MDAY15.

Cellars Wine Club Earn 10% back on all regular and wine club purchases.

Mrs. Prindables Earn 5% back on purchases. Free gift box and gift card with Jumbo Apple purchases.

Fairytale Brownies Earn 5% back. Gourmet Mother’s Day gifts start at only $22.90.

My Jewelry Box Earn 5% back on purchases. Save 20% on all orders plus get free shippnig with code MJB20.

ProFlowers Earn 4% back on purchases. Deals on roses, tulips, and bouquets good through May 5.

Smiley Cookies Earn 5% back plus save 20% on orders over $20 with code MOM20.

Spa Finder Gift Certificates Earn 3% back. Get free shipping and a free gift box on orders over $75 with code FSMOM75.

Teleflora Earn 6% back on purchases.

Don’t see what you like? We have plenty more to choose from. Visit either our special Mother’s Day Shopping Category or our more general Flowers and Gifts.

In either case, check out the video below and the awesome Twilight jewelry. And don’t forget that you can get Emitations coupons and cash back through Sunshine Rewards.

January went by so quickly that this was our first podcast of the year. Just in time for February, we decided to review Valentine’s Day merchants. Cindy led most of the podcast because she has been knee-deep in planning the upcoming Sunshine Rewards Valentine’s Day promotion.

Show notes:

* Quick recap of Affiliate Summit and some of the benefits of attending this year.
* Flowers always work for Valentine’s Day and 1-800-Flowers has a lot of different options. Be sure to understand the difference between having your flowers delivered by FedEx and those delivered by local florists.
* Bath & Body Works and The Perfume Spot have good options for both men and women. I got my favorite new perfume (Pink Sugar) from The Perfume Spot. Bath & Body Works has a terrific new Godiva candle available only online.
* Crazy for Bargains is great for fun pajamas for women, men, and kids. Personally, I like the boxers for holidays. Romantic Gowns (new SR merchant!) actually has some great lingerie, including some cute pink and red sets that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. (Here the mother/daughter podcast got a little bit awkward).
* Jewelry is traditional for Valentine’s Day and May Leigh has some nice options. Women seem to be wearing more jewelry these days, including multiple bracelets and necklaces at a time and mixing silver and gold. Things Remembered has both jewelry and other items available for personalization.
* You usually can’t go wrong with food (especially if the gift is for me). David’s Cookies makes homemade tasting cookies that can be ordered through the 10th. Ghirardelli is an impressive brand name with high quality chocolates.
* From the customer standpoint, these were all merchants that we personally like to shop through.

Lots of great Valentine’s Day gift ideas today. Hopefully a little something for everyone. And you can get cash back from Sunshine Rewards for shopping at all of them!

This Mother’s Day, why not surprise Mom with a gift from My Jewelry Box? When you use the My Jewelry Box coupons, free shipping, and cash back at Sunshine Rewards, you will be saving money while getting Mom a gift that she will always cherish. Plus, for a limited time you will receive a free 18″ pearl necklace with every purchase over $50.

Check out the Black and White Diamond Heart Pendant featured in my video below. Regularly $300, it is now only $129 before your Sunshine Rewards 15% coupon. You’ll get free FedEx shipping plus your Sunshine Rewards cash back.

Visit MyJewelryBox.com today to find terrific specials on Mother’s Day jewelry.

You’ve spent your money on beautiful jewelry. Now are you doing what it takes to keep it looking like new? Maybe you picked up some jewelry at a rummage sale and want to make it sparkle like it cost a fortune? It’s quick, easy, and cheap to shine up your jewelry with the Jewelry Cleaning Set from Emitations.

Check out this video explaining how to use the Brilliant Restorer in conjuction with the Jewelry Polishing Cloth. The Jewelry Cleaner itself is $6.99, but you can get it with the cloth as a set for $12.50. Don’t just buy them for yourself. These would make great gifts and giveaways. Be sure to visit Sunshine Rewards for the latest Emitations coupons.

These .925 silver dangling earrings with multi-colored pearls alternating with sparkling briolette crystals are one of the prettiest pair of earrings I have seen in a long time. When the light catches them they shimmer and shine and look so classy that no one will know they only cost you $44.25, shipping included. Retail price on them is $150.00, and they certainly look every bit of that. These would make a perfect Christmas gift or perfect earrings to keep for yourself for the holidays or any day. They come beautifully boxed, too, for gift giving.

Don’t forget about your cash back from Sunshine Rewards when you shop at MyJewelryBox.com. During Christmas in July we are offering an increased cash back rate of 10%. This is definitely a sale you can’t afford to miss.

It’s that time again–time to start thinking about Christmas shopping. From now through July 21, Sunshine Rewards will be running its Second Annual Christmas in July promo. It’s a chance to try out new merchants, earn increased credits back, take advantage of special coupons, and win prizes!

Check out the special shopping opportunities from the following merchants:

• All Things Trendy Take $12 off of shipping when you spend $75 or more. Earn 8% back on purchases.
• Canvas on Demand Take 15% off your order. Earn 9% back on purchases.
• Crazy for Bargains Take 10% of orders over $25. Earn 10% back on purchases.
• Engravable Gift Collection Free shipping on orders of $35 or more. Earn 16% on purchases.
• Mikasa Earn 8% back on purchases.
• MyJewelryBox.com Exclusive Deals for SR members. Earn 10% back on all purchases.
• PrintableGamesAtoZ Print off games for every holiday! Earn 25% back on purchases.
• Sephora Free shipping on orders over $50. Earn 3% back on purchases.
• Taylor Gifts Save $15 off any purchase of $75 or more. Earn 8% back on purchases.
• Things From Another World Free shipping over $35. Earn 8% back on purchases.

Plus, you’ll have the chance to win great prizes. See the Christmas in July page for more information.

Sunshine Rewards loves to partner with My Jewelry Box because they always deliver on both quality and price. Watch our video to learn more about the beautiful packaging all of their products come in and see an example of their jewelry.