FINLAY ENTERPRISES INC /DE
10-K, 1997-05-01
JEWELRY STORES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K


             X ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   For the Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 1997

            TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

            For the Transition Period from_________ to_________     
 
                  Commission file number: 0-25716

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
              -----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


            Delaware                                           13-3492802
- ----------------------------------                        -------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction                              (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)


           521 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY                   10175
       ------------------------------------------         ----------
       (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip code)


                                  212-808-2060
                  --------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                     Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                                    Yes X  No__
                                    
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [x]

     The aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of
the  Registrant,  based on the closing price on the Nasdaq  National  Market for
such shares on April 1, 1997 was $44,255,304.

     As of April 1, 1997, there were 7,558,838 shares of common stock, par value
$.01 per share, of the registrant outstanding.

                      Documents incorporated by reference:

     Portions of the Company's  definitive Proxy  Statement,  in connection with
its Annual Meeting to be held in June 1997, are  incorporated  by reference into
Part III.  The  Company's  Proxy  Statement  will be filed within 120 days after
February 1, 1997.

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                    FORM 10-K

                   FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997

                                      INDEX


PART I                                                                   PAGE(S)

 Item 1.     Business.......................................................  3
 Item 2.     Properties..................................................... 16
 Item 3.     Legal Proceedings.............................................. 16
 Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............ 16

PART II

 Item 5.     Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related 
               Stockholder Matters.......................................... 17
 Item 6.     Selected Financial Data........................................ 18
 Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
               and Results of Operations.................................... 20
 Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................... 26
 Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting 
               and Financial Disclosure..................................... 26

PART III

 Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant............. 27
 Item 11.    Executive Compensation......................................... 30
 Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and 
               Management................................................... 30
 Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................. 31

PART IV

 Item 14.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on 
               Form 8-K..................................................... 32

SIGNATURES.................................................................. 39


                                        2
<PAGE>

                                                          PART I

Item 1.  Business

The Company

     Finlay Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),  conducts
business  through  Finlay  Fine  Jewelry  Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Finlay  Jewelry"),  its wholly owned subsidiary.  References to "Finlay" mean,
collectively, the Company, Finlay Jewelry and all predecessor businesses.

     Finlay  is  the  largest  operator  of  leased  fine  jewelry   departments
("Departments")  in the United States and France. As of February 1, 1997, Finlay
operated a total of 927  Departments  in many of the  leading  department  store
chains in the United States and Europe.  Since  opening its first  Department in
1942,  Finlay  has  grown  by  adding  host  stores  and  increasing  sales  per
Department,  achieving  sales of over $685 million in 1996.  Finlay  entered the
international fine jewelry retailing market in October 1994 by acquiring Societe
Nouvelle d'Achat de Bijouterie ("Sonab"), a French company that as of the end of
1996  operated  139  Departments  and three  stand- alone stores in locations in
Europe.  Finlay  sells a broad  selection  of  moderately  priced  fine  jewelry
products such as necklaces,  earrings,  bracelets, rings and watches and markets
these products principally as fashion accessories. In 1996, the average price of
the items sold  domestically  by Finlay was $151 per item.  Other than  watches,
substantially  all of the fine  jewelry  items  sold by  Finlay  are  made  from
precious  metals  and many also  contain  diamonds  or  colored  gemstones.  All
references herein to leased  Departments refer to Departments  operated pursuant
to license agreements or other arrangements with host department stores.

     Finlay's sales have increased from $473.7 million in 1992 to $685.3 million
in 1996,  a compound  annual  growth rate of 9.7%.  Income from  operations  has
increased  from $37.1  million to $54.0  million in the same period,  a compound
annual growth rate of 9.8%. Finlay has increased in size from 662 Departments at
the beginning of 1992 to 927 Departments and 12 stand-alone  stores, for a total
of 939 locations at the end of 1996.

     Domestically, as of February 1, 1997, Finlay operated 788 Departments in 22
host store groups,  located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.  Finlay's
largest  host  store  relationship  is with The May  Department  Stores  Company
("May"),  for which  Finlay  operated all 359  Departments  located in May-owned
department stores,  such as Lord & Taylor and Filene's.  Finlay's second largest
host store relationship is with Federated Department Stores, Inc. ("Federated"),
for which Finlay  operated 153 of the  Departments  located in Federated-  owned
department  stores,   including  Rich's  and  Burdines.   Finlay  also  operates
Departments in numerous  independent  host store groups,  such as Liberty House,
Belk and  Carson  Pirie  Scott.  Finlay  believes  that it  maintains  excellent
relations  with its host store  groups,  19 of which have had leases with Finlay
for more than five years (representing 87.4% of Finlay's domestic sales in 1996)
and  15  of  which  have  had  leases  with  Finlay  for  more  than  ten  years
(representing 78.6% of Finlay's domestic sales in 1996).

     In 1996,  Finlay  continued its expansion into two additional areas of fine
jewelry  retailing:  the  international  market and outlet  stores.  Through its
French  subsidiary,  Sonab,  Finlay is the largest  operator of  Departments  in
France,  operating  its 131  French  Departments  in  five  host  store  groups,
including Galeries Lafayette and Nouvelles Galeries. During October 1996, Finlay
expanded  into  Berlin,  Germany  with the opening of a new  Galeries  Lafayette
store.  In  addition,  in  April  1996,  Finlay  signed a lease  agreement  with
Debenhams,  P.L.C., a department store chain which operates 90 stores throughout
the United  Kingdom and Ireland  ("Debenhams"),  and  operated  seven  Debenbams
Departments  in the United  Kingdom at the end of 1996.  As of February 1, 1997,
Finlay  operated nine outlet stores at  nonmetropolitan  outlet  shopping center
locations in Ohio, New York, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania,  Georgia and
California  under the name "New York Jewelry  Outlet." The outlet stores provide
Finlay  with a  channel  to sell  discontinued,  close-out  and  other  selected
merchandise.

                                        3
<PAGE>

     Finlay's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. References
to 1992,  1993,  1994,  1995,  1996 and 1997 relate to the fiscal years ended on
January 30, 1993, January 29, 1994, January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996, February
1, 1997, and January 31, 1998,  respectively.  Each of the fiscal years includes
52 weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.

     The Company is a holding  company,  which has no operations of its own. The
primary  asset of the  Company  is the  common  stock of Finlay  Jewelry,  which
conducts all of Finlay's  operations.  The  principal  executive  offices of the
Company  are  located  at 521 Fifth  Avenue,  New York,  New York  10175 and its
telephone number at this address is (212) 808-2060.
 
     On April 6, 1995,  the Company  completed an initial  public  offering (the
"Offering")  of 2,500,000  shares of its common stock,  par value $.01 per share
("Common  Stock") at a price of $14.00 per share.  An additional  115,000 shares
were sold by non-management selling stockholders. Net proceeds from the Offering
after  deducting  the  underwriting  discount  of  $2,300,000  and  expenses  of
approximately   $2,500,000  incurred  in  connection  with  the  Offering,  were
$30,200,000.  The net  proceeds  were  used to  repurchase  $6,103,000  accreted
balance  of  the  Company's  12%  Senior  Discount   Debentures  due  2005  (the
"Debentures")  at a price  equal  to  $5,789,000,  or  approximately  95% of the
accreted  amount.  The balance of the net proceeds were used to reduce a portion
of the outstanding  indebtedness  under Finlay's  $135,000,000  Revolving Credit
Facility  (the  "Revolving  Credit  Facility")  with  General  Electric  Capital
Corporation ("G.E. Capital").

     Immediately  prior  to  completion  of the  Offering,  the  holders  of the
Company's 10% Series C Cumulative  Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred  Stock")
exchanged all  outstanding  shares of Series C Preferred  Stock with the Company
for 2,581,784 shares of Common Stock (the "Series C Exchange").  For purposes of
the Series C Exchange,  the outstanding  Series C Preferred Stock was (i) valued
at its liquidation  value of $30,000,000  plus  $6,145,000 of accrued  dividends
through  the date of  completion  of the  Series C  Exchange,  paid in kind at a
quarterly rate of 2.5% and (ii) exchanged for Common Stock at the initial public
offering price of $14.00 per share. In conjunction with the Series C Exchange, a
$10,000,000  nonrecurring noncash charge representing the difference between the
liquidation  value and the  carrying  value of the Series C Preferred  Stock was
recorded, decreasing net income (loss) applicable to common shares in 1995.

     In May 1993,  an  affiliate  of Thomas H. Lee  Company  (together  with its
affiliate  transferees,  the "Lee Investors") and partnerships  managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated (collectively, the "Desai Investors"),  acquired
36.8% and 24.5%,  respectively,  of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the
Company  in a series  of  transactions  which  recapitalized  the  Company  (the
"Recapitalization  Transactions").  Following the Recapitalization Transactions,
certain  members of  management  (the  "Management  Stockholders")  maintained a
substantial  equity  interest in the Company.  Following  the  completion of the
Offering  and the  Series C  Exchange,  the Lee  Investors  and Desai  Investors
beneficially  owned  33.1%  and  22.1%  of the  outstanding  voting  securities,
respectively, and 14.8% was held by the Management Stockholders. For information
regarding  the   Recapitalization   Transactions,   reference  is  made  to  the
information to be included under the caption "Certain  Relationships and Related
Transactions  - The 1993  Recapitalization"  in the Company's  definitive  Proxy
Statement  to be filed  pursuant to  Regulation  14A ("Proxy  Statement")  which
information  is  incorporated  herein  by  reference.  See  also  Note  1 to the
Consolidated  Financial Statements and "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management."

General

     Overview.  Many department stores  traditionally  have engaged  specialized
lessees, such as Finlay, to operate their fine jewelry departments.  The lessees
furnish specialized expertise in management,  merchandising, selling, marketing,
inventory  control  and  security.   By  engaging  lessees,  host  stores  avoid
investment of working capital

                                        4

<PAGE>

     and devotion of management  attention in an area outside their core apparel
and home  furnishings  businesses.  Finlay also believes  that, as a specialized
retailer, a lessee is better equipped than a department store to establish close
relationships  within  the  fragmented  fine  jewelry  vendor  community.   Such
relationships  offer advantages in coordinating  purchasing,  merchandising  and
marketing  with  vendors.  Accordingly,  host  stores can realize  higher  sales
productivity and greater  profitability by leasing their fine jewelry operations
to third parties such as Finlay.

     Finlay believes certain aspects of its business differentiate it from other
retailers.  First, as a lessee operating within host department  stores,  Finlay
benefits  from the host stores'  reputation,  advertising,  credit  services and
established customer base. Finlay also avoids the substantial capital investment
typical of stand-alone  retailing  formats,  enabling  Finlay's new  Departments
generally to achieve  profitability  within their first 12 months of operations.
Second,  Finlay  believes that its working capital  requirements  are lower than
those for many  other  retailers  and  Finlay's  exposure  to changes in fashion
trends is reduced because  approximately 50% of Finlay's domestic merchandise is
carried on consignment.  In addition,  net sales proceeds (whether  generated by
cash or on  credit)  are  generally  remitted  to Finlay by each host store on a
monthly basis.  Third,  substantially  all consumer  credit risk is borne by the
host store rather than by Finlay  because  substantially  all sales proceeds are
remitted to Finlay by each store  whether or not  collected,  provided  that the
proper credit  approvals have been obtained in accordance  with the host store's
policy. Fourth, Finlay has developed a sophisticated  management information and
inventory control system which enables Finlay to monitor  merchandise trends and
control inventory.

     Industry.  Finlay  believes  that  during the past ten years  trends in the
retail  jewelry  industry have  contributed to Finlay's  growth.  Total personal
consumption  expenditures for jewelry  (including both fine and costume jewelry)
in the United States in 1996 were $41.3 billion,  according to the United States
Department  of Commerce.  This  represents  an increase of  approximately  $16.5
billion in annual  expenditures  since 1986 and a compound annual growth rate of
5.2% from 1986 through 1996. Finlay believes that demographic  factors,  such as
the maturing of the "baby boom"  generation and an increase in the population of
working women, have contributed to the industry's growth.

     The fine  jewelry  business  has also  developed  in certain ways that have
aided Finlay's growth. Traditionally, consumers purchased fine jewelry primarily
as a gift, keepsake or other special occasion item. Finlay believes that today's
jewelry  consumers  have  accepted  fine jewelry as a fashion  accessory and are
increasingly  making fine jewelry an impulse  purchase item. These factors have,
in Finlay's view,  increased fine jewelry sales in the department  store format.
Fine jewelry has become an integral part of the department  store  merchandising
scheme and is now  marketed by  department  stores as a separate  fashion  item.
Finlay believes that these factors have made the Departments  operated by Finlay
an  independent  attraction to department  store  customers,  less  dependent on
general store traffic.

     The retail  jewelry  industry is highly  fragmented  and includes  numerous
local  jewelers.  However,  Finlay has benefited from  consolidation  within the
Department  segment of the industry by adding host store groups which previously
leased the operation of their jewelry departments to competitors of Finlay. As a
consequence  of  consolidations  of  department  stores  which leased their fine
jewelry  operations  and the  difficulties  of  certain  of  Finlay's  principal
competitors, Finlay added five host store groups in 1992, which accounted for 94
of a total 124 new Departments  opened in that year (exclusive of closings).  In
1993,  1994,  1995 and 1996,  Finlay  opened  17, 8, 20 and 13 new  Departments,
respectively, as the result of host department store consolidations.

     Growth Strategy.  Finlay's future growth strategy is based on six principal
objectives:  (i)  increases in  comparable  Department  sales,  (ii) addition of
Departments within existing host store groups,  (iii)  establishment of new host
store  relationships,  (iv) expansion of Department selling space, (v) continued
international expansion

                                        5
<PAGE>

and  (vi)  development  of  its  retail  outlet  format  as a  channel  to  sell
discontinued, close-out and certain other merchandise.

 .    Increase Comparable  Department Sales.  Increases in comparable  Department
     sales represent  Finlay's most profitable  means of growth.  In addition to
     its continued emphasis on broad fashion assortments,  timely promotions and
     extensive  advertising,  Finlay has continued to focus on three  strategies
     for improving  comparable  Department  sales growth:  (i) a more aggressive
     pricing  strategy  and  increased  inventory  levels on select  best  value
     merchandise,   (ii)  holiday  and  event  related  promotions  as  well  as
     participating  in host store  special  promotions  and (iii)  technological
     advances and  refinements to operating  procedures at the Department  level
     designed to improve  customer  service.  During 1996,  Finlay  continued to
     intensify  its  promotion  of key items and best value  programs as well as
     increase  Department  stock  positions  of such  key  items.  In  addition,
     Finlay's  advertising and promotional planning are closely coordinated with
     this pricing  strategy.  During 1996,  Finlay  focused on holiday and event
     related  promotions  such  as  Mother's  Day  and  November's  Extravaganza
     promotion as well as participating in host store special  promotions,  such
     as one- day sales.  Finlay  intends  to  continue  the use of such  special
     marketing promotions as a means of improving  comparable  Department sales.
     In  addition,   Finlay  has  streamlined   administrative  tasks  including
     implementing  new  procedures  for  the  daily  set-up  and  close-down  of
     Departments and establishing an interface  between store cash registers and
     Finlay's central office that reduces sales processing time.  Finlay is also
     exploring  ways to make  the  receipt  and  transfer  of  merchandise  more
     efficient.  Finlay  believes  that these  improvements  have allowed  sales
     personnel to spend more time  servicing  customers and selling  merchandise
     and therefore have increased  sales. In  management's  view, such operating
     changes  and  methods  provide  the  necessary  infrastructure  to  support
     continued  growth  without  a  commensurate   increase  in   administrative
     expenses.

 .    Add  Departments  Within  Existing Host Store Groups.  Finlay has generally
     been able to open  Departments in new stores opened or acquired by existing
     host stores.  Host store  expansion has added,  through  1996,  114 net new
     Departments   since  the  beginning  of  1992.  Based  on  expansion  plans
     previously  announced by May and Federated,  Finlay has identified over 100
     locations  (without  regard  to  possible  closings)  at which it has added
     Departments or expects to have the  opportunity  to add  Departments in the
     future. In addition,  Finlay has historically  benefited from, and believes
     it is  well-positioned  to continue to capitalize on,  consolidation in the
     department  store  industry.  During 1995,  Finlay  opened 61 and closed 23
     domestic  Departments  and  during  1996  Finlay  opened  32 and  closed 30
     domestic Departments within existing host store groups.

 .    Establish  New Host Store  Relationships.  Finlay  seeks to  establish  new
     relationships with department stores that currently either lease their fine
     jewelry  departments  to  Finlay's  competitors  or operate  their own fine
     jewelry  businesses by  demonstrating to store management the potential for
     improved  financial  performance.  Since the beginning of 1992,  Finlay has
     added such host store groups as  Burdines,  Bon Marche,  Elder  Beerman and
     Stern's.

 .    Expansion of Departments  Selling Space.  During 1996,  Finlay continued to
     expand  the  linear  footage  of  display  cases  in  certain  high  volume
     Departments.  The expanded  Departments  have enabled Finlay to enhance the
     depth of the merchandise  assortment resulting in increased sales volume in
     these  Departments.  Although  Finlay's  average  sales per linear foot was
     $11,600 in 1996, these Departments may produce results significantly higher
     than Finlay's average.  Furthermore,  these incremental sales increases are
     achieved  without  having to incur  proportionate  increases in selling and
     administrative expenses. Finlay views this as an opportunity for growth and
     will continue to identify such Departments.


                                        6
<PAGE>

 .    Continue International Expansion. In October 1994, Finlay acquired Sonab, a
     French company which operated 131 Departments and three stand-alone  stores
     in France at the end of 1996.  Sonab operates its  Departments  within five
     host store groups,  including  Galeries  Lafayette and Nouvelles  Galeries.
     During October 1996, Finlay expanded into Berlin,  Germany with the opening
     of a new Galeries  Lafayette store. As a continuation of Finlay's  on-going
     international  expansion,  in April 1996,  Finlay signed a lease  agreement
     with  Debenhams,   a  department  store  chain  which  operates  90  stores
     throughout  the United Kingdom and Ireland,  and operated  seven  Debenhams
     Departments in the United Kingdom at the end of 1996.  Finlay believes that
     fine jewelry retailing  outside of the United States is highly  fragmented,
     consisting  primarily of small  regional and local  operators.  In Finlay's
     view, its specialized expertise has enabled it to strengthen the marketing,
     merchandising,  inventory  control and  personnel  training  methods of its
     French operation. Finlay also believes that its expertise and critical mass
     will  allow it to  capitalize  on the  fragmentation  of the  international
     jewelry retail market to expand in France and into other foreign markets.

 .    Develop  Outlet Store  Business.  Management  believes  that outlet  stores
     represent a potential  opportunity  beyond Finlay's core leased  Department
     business.  Finlay opened two outlet stores in 1994, five stores in 1995 and
     an additional  two stores in 1996.  The outlet stores provide Finlay with a
     channel to sell  discontinued,  close-out  and certain  other  merchandise.
     Outlet  centers are  generally  located in  nonmetropolitan  areas so as to
     avoid  direct  competition  with  traditional  retail  shopping  areas that
     typically include department stores.

     Merchandising  Strategy.  Finlay seeks to maximize sales and  profitability
through a participatory  merchandising  strategy known as the "Finlay Triangle,"
which integrates Finlay's store group management, central office and vendors. By
coordinating  efforts  and sharing  on-line  access to  information  each Finlay
Triangle  participant plays a role which emphasizes its area of expertise in the
merchandising process, thereby increasing productivity.  Finlay's central office
functions as a service organization, assembling an assortment of merchandise for
selection by Finlay's store group management.  Within pricing  guidelines set by
the central office, Finlay's store group management contributes to the selection
of the specific  merchandise  most  appropriate to the demographics and customer
tastes within their particular  geographical  area.  Vendors  participate in the
decision  making  process  and are made  partners  with  respect to  merchandise
assortment, including the testing of new products, marketing, advertising, stock
levels and pricing  strategy.  Through the Finlay  Triangle,  opportunities  are
created  for  the  vendor  to  assist  in  improving   inventory   turnover  and
profitability,  both for the vendor and Finlay.  Through this  strategy,  Finlay
believes  it  capitalizes  on  economies  of  scale  by   centralizing   certain
activities,  such as vendor selection,  advertising and planning, while allowing
Finlay's  store group  management  the  flexibility  to implement  merchandising
programs tailored to their host store environments and clientele.


                               The Finlay Triangle
                                [GRAPHIC OMITTED]











 



                                        7
<PAGE>

     Finlay has structured its  relationships  with vendors to encourage sharing
of responsibility for marketing and merchandise management.  Finlay furnishes to
vendors, through on-line access to Finlay's information systems, the same sales,
stock and gross margin  information  that is  available to Finlay's  store group
management  and  central  office  for each of the  vendor's  styles in  Finlay's
merchandise assortment. Using this information,  vendors are able to participate
in  decisions  to  replenish  inventory  which  has been  sold and to  return or
exchange  slower-  moving  merchandise.  In  addition,  vendors  may input order
recommendations  through Finlay's data processing system for approval by Finlay.
New items are tested in specially selected  "predictor"  Departments where sales
experience  can  indicate  an  item's  future   performance  in  Finlay's  other
Departments. Finlay believes that the access and input which vendors have in the
merchandising  process  results in a better  assortment,  timely  replenishment,
higher  turnover  and higher  sales of  inventory.  Finlay  believes  that these
elements of its approach differentiate Finlay from its competitors.

     Since  many of the host store  groups in which  Finlay  operates  differ in
fashion  image  and  customer   demographics,   Finlay's  flexible  approach  to
merchandising   is  designed  to   complement   each  host  store   group's  own
merchandising  philosophy.  Finlay emphasizes a "fashion  accessory" approach to
fine jewelry and watches,  and seeks to provide items that  coordinate  with the
host store's  fashion focus as well as maintain  stocks of traditional  and gift
merchandise.

Store Relationships

     Host Store  Relationships.  Domestically,  as of February  1, 1997,  Finlay
operated 788  Departments in 22 host store groups,  located in 42 states and the
District of Columbia.  Finlay's largest host store relationship is with May, for
which  Finlay  operates  all 359  Departments  located in  May-owned  department
stores,  such as Lord & Taylor and Filene's.  Finlay's second largest host store
relationship is with Federated, for which Finlay operates 153 of the Departments
located in  Federated-owned  department  stores,  including Rich's and Burdines.
Finlay also operates Departments in numerous independent host store groups, such
as Liberty House, Belk and Carson Pirie Scott. Finlay believes that it maintains
excellent relations with its host store groups, 19 of which have had leases with
Finlay for more than five years  (representing  87.4% of Finlay's domestic sales
in 1996) and 15 of which  have had  leases  with  Finlay for more than ten years
(representing 78.6% of Finlay's domestic sales in 1996). As a consequence of the
strong and, in many instances,  long-term relationships,  host store groups have
routinely  renewed  Finlay's  lease  agreements at their renewal  dates.  Finlay
believes that the majority of its lease  agreements  will continue to be renewed
routinely.

     Store groups owned by May and Federated accounted for an average of 49% and
23%, respectively, of Finlay's domestic annual sales for 1994, 1995 and 1996.

     The  following  table  identifies  the host  store  groups in which  Finlay
operated   Departments   at  February  1,  1997,  the  year  in  which  Finlay's
relationship  with each host store group commenced and the number of Departments
in each host store group.  The table also identifies  Finlay's outlet and French
stand-alone locations and the date on which such locations opened.


                                        8
<PAGE>


                                                                    Number of
Host Store Group/Location                        Inception of     Departments/
- -------------------------                        Relationship        Stores
                                                 ------------     ------------

May
L.S. Ayres/Famous Barr........................       1979             31
Filene's......................................       1977             38
Foley's.......................................       1986             53
Hecht's/Strawbridge's.........................       1986             70
Kaufmann's....................................       1979             47
Lord & Taylor.................................       1978             59
Meier & Frank.................................       1988              8
Robinsons - May...............................       1948             53
                                                                     ---
                                                                     359
                                                                     ---
Federated
The Bon Marche................................       1993             18
Burdines......................................       1992             44
Lazarus/Rich's/Goldsmith's....................       1983             71
Stern's.......................................       1994             20
                                                                     ---
                                                                     153
                                                                     ---
Other Domestic Departments
Belk/Leggett..................................       1975             50
Bergner's/Boston Store/Carson Pirie Scott.....       1977             51
The Bon-Ton/AM&A's............................       1986             34
Crowley's/Steinbach...........................       1968             19
Dillard's.....................................       1988              5
Elder Beerman.................................       1992             35
Gottschalks...................................       1969             30
Liberty House.................................       1983             11
Proffitt's....................................       1991              9
Younkers......................................       1973             32
                                                                     ---
                                                                     276
                                                                     ---

Total Domestic Departments....................                       788

Domestic Stand-Alone Stores
New York Jewelry Outlet.......................       1994              9

International Departments (Sonab)
Bazar de l'Hotel de Ville.....................       1994(1)           6
Debenhams.....................................       1996              7
Galeries Lafayette............................       1994(1)          30
Monoprix/Inno/Baze............................       1994(1)          36
Nouvelles Galeries............................       1994(1)          59
Jeanteur......................................       1996              1
                                                                     ---
                                                                     139
                                                                     ---

Sonab Stand-Alone Stores
New Gold......................................       1994(1)           3
                                                                     ---

Total.........................................                       939
                                                                     ===

- ---------------------------
(1)  Year of Finlay's acquisition of Sonab (which occurred on October 28, 1994).



                                        9
<PAGE>

     Terms of Domestic Lease  Agreements.  Finlay's  domestic  lease  agreements
typically have an initial term of one to five years. Finlay has, where possible,
entered into  five-year  lease  agreements  and expects to continue this policy.
Finlay's  domestic lease  agreements  contain  renewal options or provisions for
automatic  renewal  absent prior notice of  termination  by either party.  Lease
renewals are for one to five year periods.  In exchange for the right to operate
a  Department  within the host store,  Finlay pays each host store group a lease
fee,  calculated as a percentage of sales  (subject to a minimum annual fee in a
limited  number of cases).  The host store is generally  responsible  for paying
utility  costs,  maintenance  and certain  other  expenses  associated  with the
operation of the Departments.

     Finlay's  domestic lease agreements  generally require host stores to remit
sales proceeds for each month  (without  regard to whether such sales were cash,
store credit or national credit card) to Finlay  approximately three weeks after
the end of such month. However, during the months of November and December, most
host store groups remit to Finlay 75% of the estimated months' sales prior to or
shortly  following the end of that month.  Each host store group  withholds from
the  remittance of sales  proceeds a lease fee and other  expenditures,  such as
advertising costs, which the host store group may have made on Finlay's behalf.

     Finlay is usually  responsible  for providing and  maintaining any fixtures
and other equipment  necessary to operate its Departments,  while the host store
is typically  required to provide clean space for  installation of any necessary
fixtures.   All  of  the  domestic  lease  agreements  provide  that  Finlay  is
responsible  for the hiring (subject to the suitability of such employees to the
host store) and discharge of its sales and Department  supervisory personnel and
substantially all domestic lease agreements provide that Finlay must furnish its
employees with salaries and certain benefits comparable to those received by the
host store's employees.  Many of Finlay's domestic lease agreements provide that
Finlay may operate the  Departments  in any new stores  opened by the host store
group. In certain  instances,  Finlay is operating  Departments  without written
agreements,  although  the  arrangements  in  respect  of such  Departments  are
generally in accordance with the terms described herein.

     In many cases,  Finlay is subject to  limitations  under its domestic lease
agreements  which prohibit Finlay from operating  Departments for competing host
store groups within a certain  geographical radius of the host stores (typically
five to ten miles). Such limitations restrain Finlay from further expanding into
areas where it currently operates Departments. However, certain lease agreements
make an exception for adding  Departments  in stores  established by groups with
which Finlay has a preexisting lease arrangement.  In addition, Finlay has, from
time to time, obtained the consent of an existing host store group to operate in
another host store group within the  prohibited  area. May has granted to Finlay
  this type of consent with respect to Federated host stores and Federated has
granted this type of consent with  respect to May host stores.  In addition,  in
certain  cases,  Finlay  has found  that,  notwithstanding  the  absence  of any
geographical  limitation  in a lease  agreement,  it is limited  as a  practical
matter  from  opening  Departments  for  competing  host  store  groups in close
proximity to each other because of the adverse  effect such openings  might have
on its overall host store group relationships.

     Credit.  Substantially  all consumer credit risk is borne by the host store
rather than by Finlay.  Purchasers of Finlay's  merchandise  at a host store are
entitled to the use of the host store's  credit  facilities on the same basis as
all of the host store's customers.  Payment of credit card or check transactions
is generally  guaranteed  to Finlay by the host store,  provided that the proper
credit  approvals have been obtained in accordance with the host store's policy.
Accordingly, payment to Finlay in respect of its sales proceeds is generally not
dependent on when (or if) payment is received by the host store.






                                       10
<PAGE>

     Departments  Opened/Closed.  During  1996,  Department  openings  offset by
closings  resulted in a net decrease of two Departments.  There were 36 openings
within  existing  store  groups.  In addition,  Department  openings  include 13
Departments in the Hecht's division of May, as a result of May's  acquisition of
the Strawbridge's stores, 26 Departments in Monoprix S.A., a department store in
France  ("Monoprix"),  the opening of seven  Departments  in  Debenhams  and the
opening  of  two  additional  outlet  stores.  These  openings  were  offset  by
Department closings including 29 Departments in the Emporium/Weinstock's  chain,
eight  Departments  in The Jones Store Inc.  ("Jones") and 17 Departments in the
Maison  Blanche/Gayfers  chain.  In addition,  there were 32 Departments  closed
within existing host store groups. See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - 1996 Compared with 1995."

     The following table sets forth data regarding the number of Departments and
stand-alone stores which Finlay has operated from the beginning of 1992:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         Fiscal  Year Ended
                                                   -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Jan. 30,     Jan. 29,         Jan. 28,      Feb. 3,     Feb. 1,
                                                       1993         1994            1995          1996        1997
                                                   ------------  -----------     -----------   ----------  -----------
Departments/Stores:
<S>                                                         <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>
Open at beginning of period......................           662          746             757          903          941
Opened during period.............................           124           69             159           70           84
Closed during period.............................           (40)         (58)            (13)         (32)         (86)
                                                   ------------  -----------     -----------   ----------  -----------
Open at end of period............................           746          757             903          941          939
                                                   ------------  -----------     -----------   ----------  -----------
      Net increase (decrease)....................            84           11             146           38          (2)
                                                   ------------  -----------     -----------   ----------  -----------
</TABLE>

     For the periods  presented in the table  above,  Department  closings  were
primarily   attributable   to:  the   bankruptcy  of  host  store  groups;   the
consolidation  of, or  ownership  changes  in,  certain  host store  groups,  in
particular internal  consolidation within May; the closing or sale by host store
groups of individual stores; the closing of Departments in a host store group as
a result of the opening of Departments in another host store group that competes
in the same geographic  market;  the host store group's decisions to consolidate
with one lessee;  and Finlay's decision to close  unprofitable  Departments.  To
management's  knowledge,  none of the  Department  closings  during the  periods
presented in the table above resulted from dissatisfaction of a host store group
with Finlay's performance.

Products and Pricing

     Each  of  Finlay's  domestic   Departments  offers  a  broad  selection  of
necklaces,   earrings,   bracelets,  rings  and  watches.  Other  than  watches,
substantially  all of the fine  jewelry  items  sold by  Finlay  are  made  from
precious metals and many also contain diamonds or colored gemstones. Finlay also
provides  jewelry and watch repair  services.  Finlay does not carry  costume or
gold-filled  jewelry.  Specific brand  identification is generally not important
within the fine jewelry business,  except for watches.  With respect to watches,
Finlay  emphasizes  brand name  vendors,  including  Gucci,  Seiko,  Citizen and
Movado. Many of Finlay's lease agreements with host store groups restrict Finlay
from  selling  certain  brand name items or, in some cases,  set price  minimums
below which  Finlay may not sell  particular  items.  In France,  Sonab's  watch
selection is limited to private label watches  marketed under Sonab's "New Gold"
and "Gold Line" names. All other watch brands are sold by the host stores, which
in France have historically retained the fine watch business for themselves.



                                       11
<PAGE>

     The following  table sets forth the domestic  sales and percentage of sales
by category of merchandise for 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Fiscal Year Ended
                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Jan. 30, 1993         Jan. 29, 1994         Jan. 28, 1995         Feb. 3, 1996           Feb. 1, 1997
                -------------------   -------------------   -------------------   ------------------     -------------------
                            % of                  % of                  % of                 % of                     % of
Category:        Sales      Sales      Sales     Sales       Sales     Sales       Sales     Sales        Sales      Sales
                -------   ---------   -------  --------     -------  ----------   --------  ---------     -------    --------
                                                         (dollars in millions)
<S>             <C>            <C>    <C>          <C>      <C>           <C>     <C>           <C>     <C>             <C>  
Gemstones.....  $ 114.7        24.2%  $ 119.0      23.6%    $ 132.3       24.5%   $ 148.6       24.4%   $  153.1        24.1%
Gold..........    105.4        22.2     113.3      22.4       123.7       22.9      142.8       23.5       144.8        22.8
Watches.......     87.8        18.5      96.0      19.0       105.1       19.5      115.2       19.0       114.3        18.0
Diamonds......     95.4        20.2     101.3      20.0       102.7       19.1      118.3       19.5       129.2        20.3
Other (1).....     70.4        14.9      76.0      15.0        75.5       14.0       82.8       13.6        93.5        14.8
                -------   ---------   -------  --------     -------  ----------   --------  ---------     -------    --------
Total Sales...  $ 473.7       100.0%  $ 505.6     100.0%    $ 539.3      100.0%   $ 607.7      100.0%   $  634.9       100.0%
                =======   =========   =======  ========     =======  ==========   ========  =========     =======    ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1)  Includes  special  promotional  items,  remounts,  estate jewelry,  pearls,
     beads, cubic zirconia, sterling silver and men's jewelry, as well as repair
     services and accommodation sales to Finlay employees.

See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."

     Finlay  sells its  merchandise  at  prices  generally  ranging  from $50 to
$1,000.  In 1996, the average price of the items sold domestically by Finlay was
$151 per item. An average  Department has over 4,000 items in stock.  Consistent
with fine jewelry retailing in general, a substantial  portion of Finlay's sales
are made at prices  discounted from listed retail prices.  Finlay's  advertising
and  promotional  planning are closely  coordinated  with its pricing  strategy.
Publicized sales events are an important part of Finlay's  marketing  efforts. A
substantial  portion of Finlay's sales occur during such promotional events. The
amount of time during  which  merchandise  may be offered at discount  prices is
limited by applicable laws and regulations. See "Legal Proceedings."

Purchasing and Inventory

     General. A key element of Finlay's strategy  domestically has been to lower
the capital  investment  required for  operating  its existing  Departments  and
opening new Departments. At any one time, Finlay typically is required to pay in
advance  of sale  for less  than  half of its  inventory  because,  on  average,
approximately  50% of Finlay's  domestic  merchandise is obtained on consignment
and certain  additional  inventory is purchased with extended  payment terms. In
1996,  Finlay's net monthly  investment  in inventory  (i.e.,  the total cost of
inventory  owned and paid for)  averaged  33% of the total  cost of its  on-hand
merchandise.  Finlay is  frequently  granted  exchange  privileges  which permit
Finlay to return or exchange unsold merchandise for new products at any time. In
addition,  Finlay structures its  relationships  with vendors to encourage their
participation in and  responsibility for merchandise  management.  By making the
vendor a  participant  in Finlay's  merchandising  strategy,  Finlay has created
opportunities  for the  vendor to assist in  improving  inventory  turnover  and
profitability.  As a result, Finlay's direct capital investment in inventory has
been reduced to levels which it believes are low for the retail jewelry industry
and Finlay's sensitivity to changes in fashion trends is reduced.

     Finlay  believes the willingness of vendors to participate in the inventory
management  process is due, in part,  to the large volume of  merchandise  which
Finlay sells in its  Departments  and the desire of vendors to take advantage of
the nationwide  distribution  network which  Finlay's  Departments  provide.  By
offering their  merchandise  through Finlay's  Departments,  vendors are able to
reach a broad  spectrum of the  marketplace  in  coordination  with  national or
regional  advertising  campaigns  conducted  by the  vendors  or  their  service
organizations.


 

                                       12
<PAGE>

     In 1996, merchandise obtained by Finlay from its 40 largest vendors (out of
a total of approximately  400 vendors)  generated  approximately 78% of domestic
sales,   and  merchandise   obtained  from  Finlay's  largest  vendor  generated
approximately  12% of domestic sales.  Finlay acquires  substantially all of its
merchandise from domestic  vendors,  although these vendors source a substantial
number of products from foreign  suppliers.  Finlay does not believe the loss of
any one of its vendors would have a material adverse effect on its business.

     Gold Consignment  Agreement.  In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry  consummated a
gold consignment agreement (the "Gold Consignment  Agreement") with Rhode Island
Hospital Trust  National Bank ("RIHT"),  which matures on February 28, 1998. The
Gold  Consignment  Agreement  enables Finlay to pay for merchandise by providing
gold, or otherwise  making  payment,  to certain  vendors who  currently  supply
Finlay with merchandise on consignment.  While the merchandise  involved remains
consigned,  the  consignor  and  title to the gold  content  of the  merchandise
changes from the vendors to RIHT.  As a result,  such vendors have reduced their
working  capital  requirements  and associated  financing  costs.  Consequently,
Finlay has  negotiated  more  favorable  terms with the  participating  vendors.
Finlay can obtain,  pursuant to the Gold Consignment Agreement, up to the lesser
of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25.0 million worth of gold, subject to a
formula as prescribed by the Gold  Consignment  Agreement.  At February 1, 1997,
amounts  outstanding under the Gold Consignment  Agreement  totalled 36,916 fine
troy ounces, valued at approximately $12.8 million.

     RIHT charges Finlay a daily  consignment fee on the dollar equivalent value
of ounces  outstanding,  a floating  rate which,  as of  February  1, 1997,  was
approximately  4.5% per annum. In addition,  Finlay is required to pay an unused
line fee of 0.5% if the amount of gold  consigned  has a value equal to or below
$10.0  million.  In  conjunction  with the Gold  Consignment  Agreement,  Finlay
granted RIHT,  subject to the terms of an intercreditor  agreement  between RIHT
and G.E.  Capital,  a first priority  perfected lien on, and a security interest
in,  specified  gold jewelry of  participating  vendors  approved under the Gold
Consignment  Agreement and certain cash on deposit with the consignor and a lien
on proceeds and products of such jewelry and cash deposits.

Operations

     General.  Most of Finlay's  Departments have between 30 and 150 linear feet
of display  cases (with an average of  approximately  60 linear feet)  generally
located  in high  traffic  areas on the main  floor  of the  host  stores.  Each
Department is supervised by a manager  whose  primary  duties  include  customer
sales and service,  scheduling and training of personnel,  maintaining  security
controls and merchandise presentation.  Most of the Departments utilize from 105
to 260 staff hours per week on a permanent basis,  depending on the Department's
sales volume,  and employ additional sales staff hours during the peak Christmas
selling season.  Each Department is kept open for business during the same hours
as its host store. Subject to the terms of the applicable host store group lease
agreement,  Finlay is  generally  responsible  for its own  operating  decisions
within each of its Department operations,  including the hiring and compensation
of sales staff in each of its Departments.

     To  parallel  host store  operations,  Finlay  establishes  separate  group
service  organizations  responsible for managing  Departments  operated for each
host  store.  Staffing  for each group  organization  varies  with the number of
Departments in each group. Typically, Finlay services each host store group with
a group manager,  an assistant group manager,  one or more group buyers,  one or
more regional  supervisors who oversee the individual  Department managers and a
number of clerical  employees.  Each group  manager  reports to a regional  vice
president,  who is responsible for supervision of up to seven host store groups.
In its continued efforts to improve comparable Department sales through improved
operating efficiency, Finlay has taken steps to minimize administrative tasks at
the Department  level by introducing  advanced  technology  such as an interface
between  store cash  registers  and  Finlay's  central  office.  These steps are
designed to reduce administrative time requirements,  thereby improving customer
service and, as a result, sales.


                                       13
<PAGE>

     Finlay had average sales per linear foot of approximately  $11,200 in 1994,
$11,800  in 1995 and  $11,600 in 1996.  The  decrease  in sales per linear  foot
during 1996 is attributed to more European  Departments,  which on average, have
lower sales per linear foot as compared to the domestic Departments.  Finlay had
average sales per Department of approximately $674,000, $710,000 and $729,000 in
1994, 1995 and 1996,  respectively.  Finlay determines  average sales per linear
foot by dividing its sales by the aggregate estimated  measurements of the outer
perimeters of the display cases of Finlay's Departments.

     Management Information and Inventory Control Systems.  Finlay believes that
its management  information systems provide a significant advantage in competing
with other fine  jewelry  retailers.  Finlay and its  vendors use this system to
monitor sales, gross margin and inventory  performance by location,  merchandise
category,  style number and vendor.  Using this  information,  Finlay is able to
monitor merchandise trends, variances in performance, and improve the efficiency
of its inventory management.  Finlay also measures the productivity of its sales
force by  maintaining  current  statistics  for each  employee such as sales per
hour, transactions per hour and transaction size.

     Personnel  and  Training.  Finlay  considers  its  employees  an  important
component of its  operations and devotes  substantial  resources to training and
improving  the  quality  of sales  and  management  personnel.  Finlay  seeks to
motivate its employees by linking a substantial percentage of their compensation
to  performance  standards.  In  most  cases,  individual  sales  personnel  are
compensated  on an hourly  basis  and paid a  commission  on  sales.  Department
managers are generally compensated on the basis of a salary plus a percentage of
their  Department's  sales.  Group  managers and regional  vice  presidents  are
eligible  to  earn  bonuses  of up to  50%  of  their  base  salaries  upon  the
achievement of specified goals.

     As of the end of 1996, Finlay employed  approximately  6,000 persons in the
United States and  approximately  500 persons in France,  the United Kingdom and
Germany, approximately 90% of whom were regional and local sales and supervisory
personnel and the balance of whom were employed in  administrative  or executive
capacities.  Of  Finlay's  6,000  domestic  employees  as of the  end  of  1996,
approximately  2,400 were  part-time  employees,  working less than 20 hours per
week.  Finlay's labor  requirements  fluctuate because of the seasonal nature of
Finlay's business.  See "- Seasonality." Finlay believes that its relations with
its  employees  are good.  Fewer  than 1% of  Finlay's  domestic  employees  are
unionized.  Substantially all of Finlay's employees in France are unionized. The
average length of service for Finlay's  domestic  employees at the group manager
level and above is approximately  12 years,  which in Finlay's view represents a
low turnover rate in the jewelry retailing industry.

     Advertising.  Finlay promotes its products through  four-color  direct mail
catalogs and newspaper advertising of the host store groups. Finlay maintains an
in-house  advertising  staff  responsible  for  preparing a majority of Finlay's
advertisements  and  for  coordinating  the  finished  advertisements  with  the
promotional   activities  of  the  host  stores.   Finlay's  gross   advertising
expenditures over the past five fiscal years have consistently been in excess of
6% of sales, a level which is consistent with the jewelry industry's reliance on
promotional  efforts to generate sales. The majority of Finlay's  domestic lease
agreements require Finlay to expend certain specified minimum percentages of its
annual sales on advertising and promotional activities.

     Inventory  Loss  Prevention and Insurance.  Finlay  undertakes  substantial
efforts  to  safeguard  its  merchandise  from  loss  or  theft,  including  the
installation of security alarm systems and safes at each location and the taking
of a daily  diamond  inventory.  During 1996,  inventory  shrinkage  amounted to
approximately  0.8% of sales.  Finlay maintains  insurance  covering the risk of
loss of  merchandise  in transit or on Finlay's  premises  (whether  owned or on
consignment) in amounts that Finlay believes are reasonable and adequate for the
types and amounts of merchandise carried by Finlay.

 


                                       14
<PAGE>

     Gold Hedging. The cost to Finlay of gold merchandise sold on consignment in
some cases is not fixed  until the sale is reported to the vendor or RIHT in the
case of merchandise  sold pursuant to the Gold  Consignment  Agreement.  In such
cases,  the cost of  merchandise  varies  with the  price of gold and  Finlay is
exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the price of gold between the time Finlay
establishes  the  advertised  or  other  retail  price of a  particular  item of
merchandise  and the date on  which  the  sale of the  item is  reported  to the
vendor.  In order to hedge  against this risk and to enable  Finlay to determine
the cost of such goods  prior to their sale,  Finlay  must  lock-in the price of
gold prior to the sale of such merchandise.  Accordingly, Finlay at times enters
into futures  contracts,  such as options or forwards or a combination  thereof.
The value of gold hedged under such  contracts  represented  less than 1% of the
Company's cost of goods sold in 1996. Under such contracts,  the Company obtains
the right to purchase a fixed number of troy ounces of gold at a specified price
per ounce for a  specified  period.  Such  contracts  typically  have  durations
ranging from one to six months,  generally  priced at the spot gold rate plus an
amount based on prevailing  interest  rates plus customary  transactions  costs.
When sales of such  merchandise are reported to the consignment  vendors and the
cost of such merchandise becomes fixed, Finlay sells its related hedge position.

     The primary effect on liquidity from using futures  contracts is associated
with the  related  margin  requirements.  Historically,  cash  flows  related to
futures  margin  requirements  have not been material to Finlay's  total working
capital  requirements.  Finlay  manages  the  purchase of futures  contracts  by
estimating  and  monitoring  the  quantity of gold that it  anticipates  it will
require in connection  with its  anticipated  level of consignment  sales of the
type described  above.  Finlay's gold hedging  transactions  are entered into by
Finlay in the ordinary course of its business.  Finlay's gold hedging strategies
are determined,  implemented and monitored on a regular basis by Finlay's senior
management. The Company did not have any open positions in futures contracts for
gold at February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997.

Competition

     Finlay  faces  competition  for  retail  jewelry  sales from  national  and
regional jewelry chains,  other department  stores,  local  independently  owned
jewelry stores and chains, mass merchandisers,  catalog showrooms,  discounters,
direct mail suppliers and televised home shopping.  Certain of such  competitors
are  substantially  larger and have  greater  financial  resources  than Finlay.
Finlay  believes  that  competition  in the  retail  jewelry  industry  is based
primarily  on the price,  quality,  fashion  appeal and  perceived  value of the
product offered and on the reputation, integrity and service of the retailer.

     To operate Departments in host store groups, Finlay competes with a limited
number of other  established  Department  lessees and  department  store chains.
Finlay  believes  that  competition  for the operation of  Departments  is based
principally on the  reputation of the operator for integrity,  the expertise and
experience of the operator in offering an attractive selection of merchandise at
competitive  prices,  and the operator's  ability to generate lease fees for the
host stores.  Finlay's principal  competitors in this market include the Diamond
Park Division of Zale Corporation and J.B.  Rudolph.  Zale Corporation is larger
and may have greater financial resources than Finlay.

Seasonality

     The  retail  jewelry  business  is  highly  seasonal.   See   "Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations -
Seasonality."







                                       15
<PAGE>

Item 2.  Properties

     The only real estate owned by Finlay is the recently acquired  distribution
and warehouse  facility,  totalling  75,000  square feet, at 205 Edison  Avenue,
Orange, Connecticut. Finlay leases approximately 18,000 square feet at 521 Fifth
Avenue,  New York, New York for its executive and  administrative  offices.  The
lease  for  such  space  expires   September   30,  2008.   Finlay  also  leases
approximately 49,000 square feet at 529 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York for its
accounting,  advertising,  the majority of its data  processing  operations  and
other administrative  functions.  The lease for such space expires September 30,
2008. For certain  operations at 500 Eighth Avenue,  New York, New York,  Finlay
has leased  approximately  8,000 square feet under a lease which expires January
31, 2000.  Finlay also leases  retail space for its New York Jewelry  Outlet and
French  stand-alone  stores and office  space in France  for  Sonab's  corporate
operations.  Generally,  as part of Finlay's domestic lease  arrangements,  host
stores  provide office space to Finlay's host store group  management  personnel
without charging any additional amount.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

     Finlay is involved in certain legal actions  arising in the ordinary course
of business.  Management believes none of these actions,  either individually or
in the  aggregate,  will have a material  adverse  effect on Finlay's  business,
financial position or results of operations.

     Commonly  in  the  retail  jewelry  industry,   a  substantial   amount  of
merchandise is sold at a discount to the "regular" or "original" price. Finlay's
experience  is  consistent  with this  practice.  See  "Business - Products  and
Pricing." A number of states in which Finlay  operates  have  regulations  which
require  retailers  who  offer  merchandise  at  discounted  prices to offer the
merchandise  at the "regular" or "original"  prices for stated  periods of time.
Finlay has received inquiries and has been subject to investigation from time to
time by various states with respect to its compliance with such regulations.  In
1987 and 1989,  Finlay entered into consent decrees with the states of Wisconsin
and Georgia,  respectively,  in connection with Finlay's past sales  discounting
and other practices and paid nominal fines to both states.  In addition,  one of
Finlay's  store groups entered into a consent decree with the state of Oregon in
1988 and two  others  are  subject to  standing  injunctions,  one issued at the
request of the state of  California  in 1988 and the other issued at the request
of the state of Colorado in 1990,  regarding the sales discounting  practices of
the host store groups in the  respective  states.  As a lessee of the host store
groups, Finlay is obligated to comply with the consent decree and injunctions in
effect with respect to the host store groups.  To Finlay's  knowledge,  no other
state is currently conducting an investigation of its pricing practices.  Finlay
believes it is in substantial  compliance with all applicable  Federal and state
laws with respect to such practices.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     No matters were  submitted to a vote of security  holders during the fourth
quarter of 1996.












                                       16
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

     Item 5. Market for the Registrant's  Common Equity and Related  Stockholder
Matters

     The Common  Stock of the  Company is traded on the Nasdaq  National  Market
under the symbol  "FNLY".  The high and low sales  prices  for the Common  Stock
during 1995 and 1996 were as follows:

                                           Fiscal Year Ended
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                          February 3, 1996               February 1, 1997
                    ----------------------------   -----------------------------
                        High             Low           High             Low
                    ------------     -----------   ------------    -------------
First Quarter (1)    $    14-1/4     $    14       $    15         $      10-1/4
Second Quarter            15-7/8          11            17-1/8            13-1/8
Third Quarter             18-1/4          14            15-3/8            12
Fourth Quarter            17-1/8          10-3/8        17-3/4            13-1/2


(1)  The first quarter of 1995  represents the period April 6, 1995 (the date of
     the Offering) through April 29, 1995


     During 1995 and 1996,  the Company did not pay any  dividends on its Common
Stock and does not intend to pay any such dividends in the  foreseeable  future.
Certain  restrictive  covenants in the indentures  relating to the 105/8% Senior
Notes due 2003 (the "Notes") and Debentures impose limitations on the payment of
dividends by the Company.

     During 1996, cash dividends of $818,000 were  distributed by Finlay Jewelry
to the Company.  The distributions  were utilized to pay certain expenses of the
Company  such as legal,  accounting  and  directors'  fees.  The  amount of cash
dividends  Finlay  Jewelry can distribute to the Company may not exceed 0.25% of
Finlay  Jewelry's  net sales for the  preceding  fiscal year by the terms of the
credit  agreement  (the  "Revolving  Credit  Agreement")   related  to  Finlay's
Revolving Credit Facility with G.E. Capital, the Gold Consignment Agreement with
RIHT and the Note indenture.

     There were  approximately  77 record holders of each class of the Company's
common  stock  at April 1,  1997,  including  holders  who are  nominees  for an
undetermined number of beneficial owners, estimated to be in excess of 500.


                                       17
<PAGE>

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

     The selected  consolidated  financial  information  below should be read in
conjunction with  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated  Financial  Statements and Notes
thereto. See "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Fiscal Year Ended (1)
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Jan. 30, 1993  Jan. 29, 1994  Jan. 28, 1995   Feb. 3, 1996   Feb. 1, 1997
                                                    -------------  -------------  -------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                  (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Statement of Operations Data:
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>         
Sales.............................................. $   473,746    $    505,639   $    552,090    $    654,491   $    685,274
Cost of sales......................................     220,352         237,864        261,263         314,029        330,300
                                                    -----------    ------------   ------------    ------------   ------------
Gross margin (2)...................................     253,394         267,775        290,827         340,462        354,974
Selling, general and administrative expenses.......     209,245         223,280        240,274         282,504        290,138
Depreciation and amortization......................       7,037           8,761          8,910           9,659         10,840
Management transition and consulting expense (3)...      -              -                5,144         -              -
Nonrecurring expenses associated with                                                                                     
   recapitalization (4)............................      -                1,915        -               -              -
                                                    -----------    ------------   ------------    ------------   ------------
Income (loss) from operations......................      37,112          33,819         36,499          48,299         53,996
Other nonrecurring (income) expense (5)............       2,100          17,150        -                (5,000)        -
Interest expense, net..............................      23,841          25,469         28,488          29,705         31,204
                                                    -----------    ------------   ------------    ------------   ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative                                                                             
   effect of accounting change.....................      11,171          (8,800)         8,011          23,594         22,792
Provision (credit) for income taxes................       5,608             405          5,280           9,343         11,035
                                                    -----------    ------------   ------------    ------------   ------------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of                                                                          
   accounting change...............................       5,563          (9,205)         2,731          14,251         11,757
Cumulative effect of accounting change (6).........         465         -              -               -              -
                                                    -----------    ------------   ------------    ------------   ------------
Net income (loss).................................. $     6,028    $     (9,205)  $      2,731    $     14,251   $     11,757
                                                    ===========    ============   ============    ============   ============
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares...... $     1,339    $    (12,799)  $       (601)   $      3,534   $     11,757
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common                          (6.49)         (0.27)           0.53           1.55
   shares.......................................... $      0.78    $              $               $              $
Weighted average number of shares outstanding 
   (000's).........................................       1,728           1,973          2,261           6,640          7,570

Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data (7):
Interest expense, net..............................                               $     25,576    $     28,911
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares......                                      7,493           9,725
Net income (loss) per share applicable to
   common shares...................................                               $       1.00    $       1.29
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
   (000's).........................................                                      7,502           7,557

Operating and Financial Data:
Number of Departments (end of period) (8)..........         746             757            903             941            939
Percentage increase in sales.......................        16.1%            6.7%           9.2%           18.5%           4.7%
Percentage increase in comparable Department                                                                                
   sales (8)(9)....................................         1.9%            0.7%           4.5%            5.7%           5.9%
Average sales per Department (8)(10)............... $       673    $        673   $        674    $        710   $        729
EBITDA (11)........................................ $    44,149    $     42,580   $     45,409    $     57,958   $     64,836
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) (12)..................... $    43,579    $     46,424   $     51,398    $     58,901   $     66,755
</TABLE>




                                       18
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    
                                                                                  Fiscal Year Ended (1)
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Jan. 30, 1993  Jan. 29, 1994  Jan. 28, 1995   Feb. 3, 1996   Feb. 1, 1997
                                                    -------------  -------------  -------------   ------------   ------------
                                                                                 (dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data - End of Period:
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>         
Working capital.................................... $     6,139    $     21,728   $      27,362   $     66,395   $     77,616
Total assets.......................................     272,769         292,112         340,764        395,145        421,273
Long-term debt, excluding current portion..........     132,221         194,234         201,217        202,905        211,427
Series A Preferred Stock...........................      16,561         -               -              -              -
Series C Preferred Stock...........................     -                22,096          25,428        -              -
Stockholders' equity (deficit).....................     (20,355)        (56,799)        (57,084)        12,784         22,505
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1)  Each of the fiscal years for which  information  is  presented  includes 52
     weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.

(2)  Finlay  utilizes the LIFO method of accounting for  inventories.  If Finlay
     had valued  inventories  at actual cost,  as would have  resulted  from the
     specific identification  inventory valuation method, the gross margin would
     have increased  (decreased) as follows:  $(0.6) million, $1.9 million, $0.8
     million, $0.9 million and $1.9 million for 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
     respectively.

(3)  Included  in  1994  in  connection  with  certain  management  changes  are
     compensation  and benefits for a former  senior  executive  totalling  $3.1
     million as a result of the  termination  of his  employment  agreement  and
     other  management   transition   expenses   totalling  $1.0  million.   See
     information  under  the  caption   "Executive   Compensation  -  Employment
     Agreements and Change of Control  Arrangements" to be included in the Proxy
     Statement. In addition, included in 1994, are consulting expenses totalling
     $1.0  million in  connection  with a program  undertaken  with a management
     consulting  firm  to  increase  comparable  Department  sales  and  improve
     operating efficiencies.

(4)  Included in 1993 in connection  with the  Recapitalization  Transactions is
     the redemption of the outstanding equity  participation units in accordance
     with the terms and conditions of the Company's former equity  participation
     plan (the  "Equity  Plan")  totalling  $0.9  million as a result of the Lee
     Investment  and  the  Desai  Investment,  as  defined  in  Note  1  to  the
     Consolidated Financial Statements, and bonuses totalling $1.0 million.

(5)  Included in 1992 are $2.1 million of nonrecurring  expenses associated with
     a withdrawn  initial public  offering.  Included in 1993 in connection with
     the  Recapitalization  Transactions is the write-off of deferred  financing
     costs totalling $4.0 million,  the elimination of the remaining discount on
     the  subordinated  WCC Term Loans, as defined in Note 1 to the Consolidated
     Financial  Statements,  of $6.7 million and other  expenses  totalling $6.5
     million.  Included  in  1995  are  proceeds  of  $5.0  million  from a life
     insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.

(6)  This item  represents  the  cumulative  effect of change in accounting  for
     income taxes in 1992.

(7)  The Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data gives effect to the Offering and
     related  transactions as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning
     of the respective  fiscal years. See Note 13 to the Consolidated  Financial
     Statements.

(8)  Includes, beginning in 1994, Departments and stand-alone locations.

(9)  Comparable  Department  sales are  calculated  by comparing  the sales from
     Departments open for the same months in the comparable periods.

(10) Average sales per Department is determined by dividing sales by the average
     of the number of  Departments  open at the beginning and at the end of each
     period.  For 1994, the effect of the  acquisition of Sonab,  and subsequent
     Department openings by Sonab, was prorated in determining average sales per
     Department.

(11) EBITDA   represents   income  from  operations   before   depreciation  and
     amortization expenses. For 1993, EBITDA includes the effect of nonrecurring
     expenses  totalling  $1.9  million  described in Note 4 above and for 1994,
     EBITDA includes the effect of management  transition and consulting expense
     totalling  $5.1  million  described in Note 3 above.  The Company  believes
     EBITDA provides additional  information for determining its ability to meet
     future debt service requirements.

(12) EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted)  represents  EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
     before nonrecurring expenses of $1.9 million deducted in arriving at income
     from operations for 1993 and management  transition and consulting  expense
     of $5.1 million deducted in arriving at income from operations for 1994.

                                       19
<PAGE>

     Item 7.  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results of Operations

     The following should be read in conjunction with "Selected  Financial Data"
and the Consolidated  Financial  Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere
in this Form 10-K.

General

     On April 6, 1995, the Company completed the Offering of 2,500,000 shares of
its Common Stock at a price of $14.00 per share.  Net proceeds from the Offering
were $30.2 million and were used to repurchase $6.1 million  accreted balance of
the Company's  Debentures  with the balance of the net proceeds used to reduce a
portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility with
G.E.   Capital.  See  the  pro  forma   consolidated    financial   information,
included in  "Selected  Financial  Data" as well as Note 13 to the  Consolidated
Financial   Statements,   which  gives   effect  to  the  Offering  and  related
transactions as if such  transactions  had occurred at the beginning of 1995 and
1994.

     Finlay entered the  international  fine jewelry retailing market in October
1994 by acquiring  Sonab,  a French  company that as of the end of 1996 operated
139 Departments and three stand-alone stores in locations in Europe.  Results of
operations for 1995 reflect the first full year of Sonab's operations.  In 1996,
Finlay  expanded its  international  operations into the United Kingdom with the
opening of seven Departments in the Debenhams  department store chain as well as
into Germany with the opening of a Galeries Lafayette store in Berlin.

Results of Operations

     The following table sets forth  operating  results as a percentage of sales
for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                   ----------------------------------------
                                                                    Jan. 28,       Feb. 3,        Feb. 1,
                                                                      1995          1996            1997
                                                                   ----------    ----------     -----------
Statement of Operations Data:
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>             <C>   
Sales........................................................           100.0%        100.0%          100.0%
Cost of sales................................................            47.3          48.0            48.2
                                                                   ----------    ----------     -----------
   Gross margin..............................................            52.7          52.0            51.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses.................            43.5          43.2            42.3
Depreciation and amortization................................             1.6           1.4             1.6
Management transition and consulting expense (1).............             1.0           -               -
                                                                   ----------    ----------     -----------
Income (loss) from operations................................             6.6           7.4             7.9
Other nonrecurring income (2)................................             -            (0.7)            -
Interest expense, net........................................             5.1           4.5             4.6
                                                                   ----------    ----------     -----------
Income (loss) before income taxes............................             1.5           3.6             3.3
Provision (credit) for income taxes..........................             1.0           1.4             1.6
                                                                   ----------    ----------     -----------
Net income (loss)............................................             0.5%          2.2%            1.7%
                                                                   ==========    ==========     ===========

Other Supplemental Data:
EBITDA (3)...................................................             8.2%          8.9%            9.5%
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) (4)................................             9.3%          9.0%            9.7%
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------
(1)  Included  in  1994  in  connection  with  certain  management  changes  are
     compensation  and benefits for a former  senior  executive  totalling  $3.1
     million as a result of the  termination  of his  employment  agreement  and
     other management  transition  expenses totalling $1.0 million. In addition,
     included  in  1994  are  consulting  expenses  totalling  $1.0  million  in
     connection with a program  undertaken with a management  consulting firm to
     increase comparable Department sales and improve operating efficiencies.

(2)  Included in Other nonrecurring income for 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million
     from a life insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.


                                       20
<PAGE>

(3)  EBITDA   represents   income  from  operations   before   depreciation  and
     amortization  expenses.  For 1994, EBITDA includes the effect of management
     transition and consulting  expense totalling $5.1 million described in Note
     1 above.  The Company believes EBITDA provides  additional  information for
     determining its ability to meet future debt service requirements.

(4)  EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted)  represents  EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
     before  management  transition  and  consulting  expense  of  $5.1  million
     deducted in arriving at income from operations in 1994.

1996 Compared with 1995

     Sales.  Sales increased  $30.8 million,  or 4.7%, in 1996 compared to 1995.
Comparable  Department  sales  (Departments  open  for the  same  months  during
comparable  periods)  increased  5.9%.  Management  attributes  this increase in
comparable  Department sales primarily to intensified promotion of key items and
best value programs,  increased emphasis on holiday and event related promotions
as well as participating in host store special promotions.  Sales decreased $7.8
million  as a result of the net  effect of new  store  openings  offset by store
closings as well as the timing of such department openings and closings.  During
1996, Finlay opened 84 Departments and closed 86 Departments.  The openings were
comprised of the following:


                            Number of
                           Departments/
     Store Group              Stores                     Reason
- ------------------------  -------------  ---------------------------------------
Hecht's                        13        May's acquisition of the Strawbridge's 
                                           stores.
Monoprix                       26        Expansion in France.
Debenhams                       7        Initial Departments in the United 
                                           Kingdom.
New York Jewelry Outlet         2        Additional outlet stores.
Other                          36        Department openings within existing 
                               --          store groups.
                               84
                               ==

The closings were comprised of the following:


                            Number of
                           Departments/
     Store Group              Stores                     Reason
- ------------------------  -------------  ---------------------------------------
Emporium/Weinstock's           29        Acquired by Federated and will operate 
                                           under the Macy's name.
Jones                           8        Lessor consolidated with one lessee.
Maison Blanche/Gayfers         17        Lessor consolidated with one lessee.
Other                          32        Department closings within existing 
                               --          store groups.
                               86
                               ==    

     Gross margin.  Gross margin for the period  increased by $14.5 million but,
as a percentage  of sales,  gross margin  decreased by 0.2%  primarily due to an
increase  in  the  LIFO  provision  and  to  a  lesser  extent  as a  result  of
management's  efforts to increase market  penetration and market share through a
more aggressive pricing strategy.

     Selling,  general  and  administrative   expenses.   Selling,  general  and
administrative  expenses  ("SG&A") as a percentage  of sales  decreased by 0.9%.
SG&A increased  $7.6 million,  or 2.7%,  due to additional  expenses,  primarily
payroll and lease fees,  associated with increased sales volume.  Although these
expenses grew, the growth was at a slower rate than sales.

     Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization  increased by
$1.2  million,  reflecting  $17.5 million in capital  expenditures  for the most
recent  12  months,  offset by the  effect  of  certain  assets  becoming  fully
depreciated.  The  increase  in  fixed  assets  was due to the  addition  of new
Departments and the renovation of existing Departments.

                                       21
<PAGE>

     Other nonrecurring (income) expense. The Company received during the second
quarter  of  1995,  proceeds  of  $5.0  million  from  a life  insurance  policy
maintained on a senior executive.
 
     Interest  expense,   net.  Interest  expense  increased  by  $1.5  million,
reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($283.3 million for the 1996 period
compared to $269.5 million for the comparable  period in 1995) partially  offset
by a lower weighted average interest rate (10.3% for the 1996 period compared to
10.5% for the comparable period in 1995).

     Provision  (credit) for income taxes. The income tax provision for the 1995
and 1996 periods reflects the effective tax rate of 41.5%.

     Net  income  (loss).  Net income of $11.8  million  for 1996  represents  a
decrease of $2.5 million as compared to the net income of $14.3  million in 1995
as a result of the factors discussed above.  Excluding the effect of the receipt
of life  insurance  proceeds  in  1995,  net  income  of $11.8  million  in 1996
represents  an increase of $2.5 million  above the net income of $9.3 million in
1995.

1995 Compared with 1994

     Sales. Sales increased $102.4 million,  or 18.5%, in 1995 compared to 1994.
Comparable  Department sales increased 5.7%. Management attributes this increase
in comparable  Department sales primarily to joint marketing efforts coordinated
with several host store groups and  intensified  promotion of key items and best
value  programs.  Sonab had total sales of $46.8 million and accounted for $34.0
million  of the  total  sales  increase.  Sales  from the  operation  of net new
Departments contributed $70.9 million. During 1995, Finlay opened 70 Departments
and closed 32  Departments.The  new  openings  included  14  Departments  in the
Hecht's  division of May, as a result of May's  acquisition  of the  Wanamaker's
stores, four Departments in Sonab and five additional outlet stores. The balance
of openings  consisted of  Departments  within  existing host store groups.  The
closings  consisted of four  Departments  in Lamonts as a result of  bankruptcy,
four  Departments  due to the sale by The  Popular  and the  balance of closings
consisted of Departments within existing host store groups.

     Gross margin.  Gross margin for the period  increased by $49.6 million but,
as a  percentage  of  sales,  gross  margin  decreased  by 0.7% as a  result  of
management's  efforts to increase market  penetration and market share through a
pricing  strategy that has become more  competitive.  Sonab  accounted for $17.3
million of the total increase in gross margin  primarily due to the full year of
operation of Sonab as part of Finlay in 1995.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses. SG&A as a percentage of sales
decreased by 0.3%.  SG&A increased  $42.2 million,  or 17.6%,  due to additional
expenses,  primarily  payroll and lease fees,  associated  with increased  sales
volume.  Although  these  expenses  grew,  the growth was at a slower  rate than
sales. Sonab accounted for $13.7 million of the total increase in SG&A.

     Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization  increased by
$0.7  million,  reflecting  $14.9 million in capital  expenditures  for the most
recent  12  months,  offset by the  effect  of  certain  assets  becoming  fully
depreciated.  The  increase  in  fixed  assets  was due to the  addition  of new
Departments and the renovation of existing  Departments,  including $0.9 million
in opening additional outlet stores.

     Management   transition  and  consulting  expense.   Included  in  1994  in
connection with certain  management  changes are compensation and benefits for a
former senior executive totalling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of
his employment agreement and other management transition expenses totalling $1.0
million.  In addition,  included in 1994 are consulting  expenses totalling $1.0
million in connection  with a program  undertaken  with a management  consulting
firm to increase comparable Department sales and improve operating efficiencies.


                                       22
<PAGE>

     Other nonrecurring (income) expense. The Company received during the second
quarter  of  1995,  proceeds  of  $5.0  million  from  a life  insurance  policy
maintained on a senior executive.

     Interest  expense,   net.  Interest  expense  increased  by  $1.2  million,
reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($269.5 million for the 1995 period
compared  to  $267.7  million  for the  comparable  period in 1994) and a higher
weighted  average interest rate (10.5% for the 1995 period compared to 10.2% for
the comparable period in 1994).

     Provision  (credit) for income taxes. The income tax provision for the 1994
and 1995 periods reflects the effective tax rate of 41.5%.

     Net income  (loss).  Net income of $14.3  million  for 1995  represents  an
increase  of $11.5  million  above the net  income of $2.7  million in 1994 as a
result of the factors discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Finlay's capital requirements are primarily for funding working capital for
new Departments and for working capital growth of existing Departments and, to a
lesser extent,  capital  expenditures for opening new Departments and renovating
existing Departments.  In addition, future working capital requirements would be
increased by further  international  expansion.  For 1996, capital  expenditures
totalled $17.5 million and in 1995 totalled $14.9 million.  Capital expenditures
are estimated to be approximately  $12.0 million in 1997.  Capital  expenditures
are limited by the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility.

     Finlay's  operations   substantially   preclude  consumer  receivables  and
approximately  50% of Finlay's  domestic  merchandise is carried on consignment.
Accordingly,  Finlay believes that  relatively  modest levels of working capital
are  required in  comparison  to many other  retailers.  The  Company's  working
capital  balance was $77.6  million at  February  1, 1997,  an increase of $11.2
million from February 3, 1996. The increase  resulted  primarily from the impact
of 1996's net income  exclusive  of  depreciation  and  amortization,  partially
offset  by  capital  expenditures.  Based on the  seasonal  nature  of  Finlay's
business, working capital levels can be expected to decrease on an interim basis
during the first three quarters of a year. See "- Seasonality."

     The seasonality of Finlay's business causes working capital requirements to
reach their highest level in the months of October and November in  anticipation
of the holiday shopping season.  Accordingly,  Finlay experiences  seasonal cash
needs as inventory  levels peak. The Revolving Credit Facility with G.E. Capital
provides Finlay with a line of credit of up to $135.0 million which is available
to finance  seasonal cash and other working capital needs.  The Revolving Credit
Facility  bears interest at a rate equal to, at Finlay's  option,  (i) the Index
Rate (as defined in the Revolving  Credit  Facility)  plus 1.0% or (ii) adjusted
LIBOR plus 2.0%.  Pursuant to the Debenture  indenture,  the Company has pledged
all of the issued and outstanding  shares of capital stock of Finlay Jewelry for
the benefit of the Debenture holders. Pursuant to the Revolving Credit Facility,
Finlay  Jewelry  has  pledged  or caused to be  pledged  all of the  issued  and
outstanding capital stock (or other equity securities) of each of its direct and
indirect subsidiaries (including Sonab Holdings, Inc., Sonab International, Inc.
and Sonab) for the benefit of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility.

     Finlay is required to reduce the balance of the Revolving  Credit  Facility
in each year to $10.0  million  or less for a 20  consecutive  day  period,  and
immediately  thereafter  to zero for an  additional  10  consecutive  days  (the
"Balance Reduction  Requirement").  There were no borrowings under the Revolving
Credit  Facility at February 3, 1996 or at February 1, 1997 in  accordance  with
the Balance Reduction Requirement.  The average amounts outstanding for 1995 and
1996 were $68.4  million and $75.4  million,  respectively.  The maximum  amount
outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility in 1996 was $114.1 million.

                                       23
<PAGE>

     Simultaneously  with the  acquisition  of Sonab on October 28,  1994,  G.E.
Capital  agreed to provide  additional  financing by  increasing  the  Revolving
Credit  Facility from $110.0  million to $135.0  million.  The Company  believes
that, with the increased borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility,
it  has  sufficient  liquidity  to  meet  Sonab's  anticipated  working  capital
requirements.

     Finlay's  long-term needs for external financing will depend on its rate of
growth,  the level of  internally  generated  funds and the  ability to continue
obtaining  substantial amounts of merchandise on advantageous  terms,  including
consignment  arrangements  with its  vendors.  For 1996,  Finlay  had an average
balance of  consignment  merchandise  of $201.8 million from over 200 vendors as
compared to an average  balance of $208.5  million in 1995.  At the end of 1996,
$194.3  million of consignment  merchandise  was on hand as compared with $199.1
million at the end of 1995. See "Business - Store Relationships" and "Business -
Purchasing and Inventory."
  
     A  substantial  amount  of  operating  cash  flow of  Finlay  is or will be
required to pay, directly or indirectly,  interest with respect to the Notes and
the  Debentures  and  amounts due under the  Revolving  Credit  Facility.  As of
February 1, 1997,  Finlay's  outstanding  borrowings were $211.4 million,  which
included a $76.4  million  balance  under the  Debentures  and a $135.0  million
balance under the Notes.  The Debentures do not pay cash interest until November
1, 1998.

     In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry  consummated the Gold Consignment  Agreement
with RIHT.  The Gold  Consignment  Agreement  enables  Finlay Jewelry to pay for
merchandise by providing gold, or otherwise making payment,  to certain vendors.
Finlay Jewelry can obtain, pursuant to the Gold Consignment Agreement, up to the
lesser of (i)  85,000  fine troy  ounces or (ii)  $25.0  million  worth of gold,
subject  to a  formula  as  prescribed  by the Gold  Consignment  Agreement.  At
February  1, 1997,  amounts  outstanding  under the Gold  Consignment  Agreement
totalled 36,916 fine troy ounces, valued at approximately $12.8 million.

     On April 13, 1995, the Company  received net proceeds of $30.2 million as a
result of the  Offering  of  2,500,000  shares of its Common  Stock.  Of the net
proceeds,  $5.8 million was utilized to repurchase $6.1 million accreted balance
of  Debentures.  The  balance of the net  proceeds  were  contributed  to Finlay
Jewelry  by  reducing  a  portion  of the  outstanding  indebtedness  under  the
Revolving Credit Facility.

     Finlay believes that, based upon current  operations,  anticipated  growth,
availability  under the Revolving Credit Facility  (including  availability as a
result of the  Offering) and the  anticipated  availability  of additional  debt
financing,  Finlay Jewelry will, for the foreseeable future, be able to meet its
debt  service  and  anticipated  working  capital   obligations,   and  to  make
distributions  to the Company  sufficient to permit the Company to meet its debt
service  obligations  and to pay  certain  other  expenses  as they come due. No
assurances,  however,  can be  given  that  Finlay  Jewelry's  current  level of
operating  results will continue or improve or that Finlay Jewelry's income from
operations  will  continue to be  sufficient  to permit  Finlay  Jewelry and the
Company to meet their debt service and other  obligations.  The Revolving Credit
Facility,  the  Note  indenture  and the  Gold  Consignment  Agreement  restrict
distributions  from Finlay  Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay  Jewelry's
net sales for the  preceding  fiscal year.  The amounts  required to satisfy the
aggregate  of  Finlay  Jewelry's  interest  expense  and  required  amortization
payments   totalled   $21.0  million  and  $21.7  million  for  1995  and  1996,
respectively.
 
     Section 382 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the "Code")
restricts  utilization  of net operating  loss  carryforwards  ("NOLs") after an
ownership   change   exceeding   50%.  As  a  result  of  the   Recapitalization
Transactions, a change in ownership of the Company exceeding 50% occurred within
the  meaning of Section  382 of the Code.  Similar  restrictions  apply to other
carryforwards.  Consequently,  there is a material  limitation  on the Company's
annual utilization of its NOLs and other carryforwards which requires a deferral
or loss of the utilization of such NOLs or other carryforwards. The Company had,
at October  31, 1996 (the  Company's  tax year end),  a NOL for tax  purposes of
approximately $14.0 million which is subject to an

                                       24
<PAGE>

annual limit of  approximately  $2.0 million per year.  For financial  reporting
purposes,  no NOL exists as of February 1, 1997. See Note 9 to the  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

Seasonality

     Finlay's business is highly seasonal,  with peak sales occurring during the
fourth   quarter  of  each   year,   which   includes   the   Christmas   season
(November/December).  The  fourth  quarter  accounted  for an  average of 42% of
Finlay's  annual  sales and  approximately  86% of its  income  from  operations
(excluding  nonrecurring  charges)  for 1994,  1995 and 1996.  Accordingly,  the
results for any of the first three quarters of a year, taken  individually or in
the  aggregate,  are  not  indicative  of  annual  results.  See  Note 11 to the
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  Generally,  Finlay's operations during the
first three  quarters of a year are financed by increased  borrowings  under the
Revolving Credit Facility.

     The Company's  Sales and Income (loss) from  operations for each quarter of
1994, 1995 and 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         Fiscal Quarter
                                                 --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 First Quarter   Second Quarter   Third Quarter  Fourth Quarter
                                                 -------------   --------------   -------------  --------------
                                                                       (dollars in thousands)
1994:
<S>                                              <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>           
   Sales.....................................    $  93,858       $      109,209   $     109,657  $      239,366
   Income (loss) from operations (1).........       (2,231)               2,255           2,440          34,035
1995:
   Sales.....................................      112,716              135,428         132,058         274,289
   Income (loss) from operations ............       (1,220)               5,022           3,443          41,054
1996:
   Sales.....................................      130,719              137,188         136,140         281,227
   Income (loss) from operations.............          347                6,124           4,366          43,159
</TABLE>

- --------------------------
(1)  The fourth  quarter of 1994  includes  $5.1  million  (pre-tax) of expenses
     related to the management transition and consulting expense.

Inflation

     The effect of  inflation  on Finlay's  results of  operations  has not been
material in the periods discussed.

Forward-Looking Information

     This  Annual   Report  on  Form  10-K  contains   certain   forward-looking
statements,  including  statements  concerning expected capital expenditures and
the  adequacy  of  Finlay's  sources of cash to finance  its  current and future
operations   as  well  as  its  debt  service  and  other   obligations.   These
forward-looking  statements  involve a number of risks  and  uncertainties  that
could cause  actual  results to differ  materially,  including  such factors as:
trends in the general economy;  competition in the retail jewelry business;  the
seasonality of the retail  business;  the ability to increase  comparable  store
sales  and to open  new  Departments;  the  dependence  on  certain  host  store
relationships  due to the  concentration of sales generated by such host stores;
the  availability of alternate  sources of merchandise  supply in the case of an
abrupt  loss of any  significant  supplier;  the  ability to  continue to obtain
substantial  amounts  of  merchandise  on  consignment;  the  dependence  on key
officers;  and changes in regulatory  requirements  which are  applicable to the
Company's business.




                                       25
<PAGE>

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 Report of Independent Public Accountants...................................F-2

 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended January 28, 
   1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997..............................F-3

 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997....F-4

 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years 
   ended January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997............F-5

 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended January 28, 
   1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997..............................F-6

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................F-7

     Item 9. Changes in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure

     There  have  been  no  changes  in  or  disagreements  with  the  Company's
accountants on matters of accounting or financial disclosure.


                                       26
<PAGE>

                                    PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

     Set forth below is certain  information with respect to each of the current
executive officers and directors of the Company and Finlay Jewelry.  Each of the
persons  listed as a director is a member of the Board of  Directors of both the
Company and Finlay Jewelry.


       Name               Age                    Position Held
- -----------------------  -----  -----------------------------------------------
David B. Cornstein        58    Chairman of the Company and Director
Arthur E. Reiner          56    President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice 
                                  Chairman of the Company, Chairman and Chief 
                                  Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry and 
                                  Director
Leslie A. Philip          50    Executive Vice President - Merchandising and 
                                  Sales Promotion of Finlay Jewelry
Barry D. Scheckner        48    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial 
                                  Officer of Finlay Jewelry and the Company
Edward Stein              52    Senior Vice President and Director of Stores 
                                  of Finlay Jewelry
Rohit M. Desai            58    Director
James Martin Kaplan       52    Director
Thomas H. Lee             53    Director
Norman S. Matthews        64    Director
Warren C. Smith, Jr.      40    Director

 
     The Lee Investors,  the Desai  Investors,  the Management  Stockholders and
certain third parties are parties to a Stockholders'  Agreement that was amended
prior to completion of the Offering (the "Amended Stockholders' Agreement"). The
Amended Stockholders'  Agreement provides,  among other things, that all parties
thereto,  subject to certain conditions,  vote their shares to fix the number of
members of the Board of  Directors of the Company at ten and to vote in favor of
seven  directors who will be nominated as follows:  two will be nominated by the
Lee  Investors,  two  may be  nominated  by the  Desai  Investors,  two  will be
nominated  by Mr.  Cornstein  and  one  will by  nominated  by Mr.  Reiner.  The
nomination and election of the remaining  three directors is not governed by the
Amended Stockholders' Agreement.  Such directors may be nominated by the Company
and  elected  by the  stockholders  of the  Company  and at  least  two  will be
independent directors.

     Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the right of various  persons to designate
directors  will be  reduced  or  eliminated  at such  time as they own less than
certain  specified  percentages of the shares of Common Stock then  outstanding.
Pursuant  to a  predecessor  agreement  to the Amended  Stockholders'  Agreement
entered into in May 1993 (the "1993 Stockholders'  Agreement"),  (i) Messrs. Lee
and Smith were  nominated to the Board of Directors as the  designees of the Lee
Investors;  (ii)  Messrs.  Desai and  Damon  Ball  were  nominated  by the Desai
Investors;  (iii) Messrs.  Cornstein and Kaplan were nominated by Mr. Cornstein;
and (iv) Mr.  Reiner  nominated  himself.  During 1996,  Mr. Ball  resigned as a
director.



                                       27
<PAGE>

     The  Amended  Stockholders'  Agreement  also  provides  that the  executive
committee of the Board of Directors  will consist of five  directors,  including
one  independent  director  selected  by the  Board  of  Directors,  one  member
designated by Mr. Lee (so long as the Lee Investors  have the right to designate
a nominee for director),  one member  designated by the Desai Investors (so long
as the Desai  Investors  have the right to designate a nominee for director) and
two members  designated by Mr. Cornstein (which number will be reduced to one if
Mr. Cornstein is only entitled to designate one nominee for director and none if
Mr. Cornstein ceases to have the right to designate a nominee for director). The
executive  committee for the Company presently  consists of Messrs.  Lee, Desai,
Matthews,  Cornstein  and Kaplan.  See  information  under the caption  "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions - Stockholders' Agreement" to be included
in the Proxy Statement.

     Under the Company's  Restated  Certificate of Incorporation,  the Company's
Board of Directors is classified  into three classes.  The members of each class
will  serve  staggered  three-year  terms.  Messrs.  Desai  and Lee are  Class I
directors;  Messrs.  Cornstein,  Kaplan and Reiner are Class II  directors;  and
Messrs.  Matthews and Smith are Class III directors.  The terms of the Class II,
Class III and Class I directors  expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to
be held in 1997, 1998 and 1999,  respectively.  Officers serve at the discretion
of the Board of Directors.  Directors  who are  employees  receive no additional
compensation for serving as members of the Board.  Messrs. Lee, Desai, Smith and
Kaplan  receive  no  compensation  for  serving  as  directors  of the  Company.
Affiliates  of Messrs.  Lee and Desai  receive fees  pursuant to the  Management
Agreements (as defined under the caption "Executive  Compensation - Compensation
Committee  Interlocks  and  Insider  Participation"  to be included in the Proxy
Statement).  Messrs.  Cornstein and Reiner have  employment  contracts  with the
Company. See information under the caption "Executive  Compensation - Employment
Agreements  and  Change of Control  Arrangements"  to be  included  in the Proxy
Statement.

     The business  experience,  principal  occupations and employment of each of
the executive  officers and directors of the Company and Finlay  Jewelry  during
the past five years,  together  with their  periods of service as directors  and
executive officers of the Company and Finlay Jewelry, are set forth below.

     David B.  Cornstein has been Chairman of the Company since May 1993 and has
been a director of the  Company and Finlay  Jewelry  since  their  inception  in
December 1988. Mr.  Cornstein was named Chairman and Chief Executive  Officer of
Finlay  International  in January 1996.  From December 1988 to January 1996, Mr.
Cornstein  was  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of the  Company.  From
December 1985 to December 1988, Mr.  Cornstein was  President,  Chief  Executive
Officer  and a director of SL Holdings  (as defined  under the caption  "Certain
Transactions  - 1985  Acquisition  and 1988  Leveraged  Recapitalization"  to be
included in the Proxy  Statement).  Prior thereto,  Mr.  Cornstein was the Chief
Executive  Officer of Tru-Run,  Inc.,  a  corporation  principally  owned by Mr.
Cornstein  which was engaged in the operation of leased jewelry  departments and
leased jewelry and watch repair departments. Mr. Cornstein is a director of What
A  World!,  Inc.,  a  public  specialty  gift  retailer,  and  a  director  of a
privately-held corporation.

     Arthur E.  Reiner  became  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of the
Company  effective  January 30, 1996.  He has been Vice Chairman of the Board of
the Company  and  Chairman  of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer of Finlay
Jewelry  since January 3, 1995.  From February 1992 to October 1994,  Mr. Reiner
was Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of Macy's East, a subsidiary  of R.H.
Macy & Co., Inc. From 1988 to 1992, Mr. Reiner was Chairman and Chief  Executive
Officer of Macy's Northeast,  which was combined with Macy's Atlanta division to
form Macy's East in 1992. Mr. Reiner became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of Macy's New York (now part of Macy's East) in 1980.  Prior to joining  Finlay,
Mr.  Reiner had spent over 25 years  with the  Macy's  organization.  In January
1992,  Macy's filed for protection  under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Mr.
Reiner is also a director of Loehmann's, Inc.




                                       28
<PAGE>

     Leslie A. Philip has been  Executive  Vice  President -  Merchandising  and
Sales  Promotion of Finlay  Jewelry since May 1995.  From 1993 to May 1995,  Ms.
Philip was Senior Vice  President - Advertising  and Sales  Promotion of Macy's,
and from 1988 to 1993, Ms. Philip was Senior Vice President - Merchandise - Fine
Jewelry at Macy's.  Ms. Philip held various other  positions at Macy's from 1970
to 1988.

     Barry D.  Scheckner  has been Senior  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial
Officer of Finlay  Jewelry  since  December  1988.  Mr.  Scheckner has also been
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September
1992.  Prior to September  1992, he was Treasurer of the Company.  From December
1985  until  December  1988,  Mr.  Scheckner  was  Corporate  Controller  of S&L
Acquisition  (as  defined  under  the  caption  "Certain   Transactions  -  1985
Acquisition  and 1988  Leveraged  Recapitalization"  to be included in the Proxy
Statement),  and from October 1983 to December  1985,  he was  Controller of the
fine jewelry division of S&L (as defined under the caption "Certain Transactions
- - 1985  Acquisition and 1988 Leveraged  Recapitalization"  to be included in the
Proxy Statement). Mr. Scheckner joined S&L as its Manager of Internal Consulting
and Director of Internal Audit in February 1983. Mr.  Scheckner began his career
as a management consultant with Price Waterhouse in 1973.

     Edward Stein has been Senior Vice  President - Director of Stores of Finlay
Jewelry since July 1995.  From  December  1988 to June 1995,  Mr. Stein was Vice
President  -  Regional  Supervisor  of  Finlay  Jewelry,  and  occupied  similar
positions with S&L Acquisition  from December 1985 to December 1988 and with S&L
from 1983 to December  1985.  Mr. Stein held various  other  positions at Finlay
from 1965 to 1983.

     Rohit M. Desai has been a director of the Company and Finlay  Jewelry since
May 1993. Mr. Desai is the founder of and, since its formation in 1984, has been
Chairman and President of Desai Capital Management  Incorporated,  a specialized
equity  investment  management  firm in New York  which  manages  the  assets of
various  institutional  clients,   including  Equity-Linked   Investors,   L.P.,
Equity-Linked  Investors-II  and a public  mutual  fund.  Mr.  Desai is also the
managing  general  partner  of the  general  partners  of each of  Equity-Linked
Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked  Investors-II.  Mr. Desai serves as a director
of the Rouse  Company,  Sunglass  Hut  International,  Incorporated  and several
privately-held companies.

     James Martin  Kaplan has been a director of the Company and Finlay  Jewelry
since their  inception in December  1988 and was a director of SL Holdings  from
December 1985 to December  1988. Mr. Kaplan has been a partner with the law firm
of Zimet,  Haines,  Friedman & Kaplan,  counsel to the Company,  since 1977. Mr.
Kaplan is also a director of What A World!, Inc.

     Thomas H. Lee has been a director of the Company and Finlay  Jewelry  since
May 1993. Since 1974, Mr. Lee has been President of Thomas H. Lee Company. He is
a director  of  Autotote  Corporation,  Livent  Inc.,  Playtex  Products,  Inc.,
Signature  Brands,  Inc. and Vail Resorts,  Inc. Mr. Lee is also a director of a
number of  privately - held  companies.  Mr. Lee is a general  partner of ML-Lee
Acquisition Fund, L.P., ML-Lee  Acquisition Fund II, L.P. and ML-Lee Acquisition
Fund (Retirements Accounts) II, L.P. (collectively, the "ML-Lee Funds"). Mr. Lee
is  Chairman of Thomas H. Lee  Advisors I and  general  partner of Thomas H. Lee
Advisors  II,  L.P.,  the  investment  advisors to the ML-Lee  Funds.  He is the
general partner of THL Equity Advisors Limited Partnership,  the general partner
of and investment advisor to Thomas H. Lee Equity Partners, L.P., and an officer
and director of THL Equity Trust III, the general partner of THL Equity Advisors
III Limited Partnership, the general partner and investment advisor to Thomas H.
Lee Equity Fund III, L.P.

     Norman S.  Matthews  has been a director of the Company and Finlay  Jewelry
since July 1993. Mr. Matthews has been a retail consultant based in New York for
over six  years.  Prior to that  time,  Mr.  Matthews  served  as  President  of
Federated.  He is  also a  director  of  Toys  "R"  Us,  Inc.,  The  Progressive
Corporation,  Loehmann's, Inc. and Lechters, Inc. 



                                       29
<PAGE>

     Warren C.  Smith,  Jr. has served as a director  of the  Company and Finlay
Jewelry  since May  1993.  Mr.  Smith is a  Managing  Director  of Thomas H. Lee
Company and has been  employed by Thomas H. Lee Company since 1990. In addition,
Mr. Smith is Vice  President of Thomas H. Lee Advisors II. He is also a director
of Rayovac Corporation and various private corporations.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

     The  information  to  be  included  in  the  section  captioned  "Executive
Compensation" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  with  respect  to
beneficial  ownership of certain voting securities of the Company as of April 1,
1997 by each of the Company's  directors,  the Company's Chief Executive Officer
and each of the four other most  highly  compensated  executive  officers of the
Company or Finlay  Jewelry,  and by all directors  and  executive  officers as a
group. No other person is known by the Company to own beneficially  more than 5%
of the Common Stock. The Company owns all of the issued and outstanding  capital
stock of Finlay Jewelry.


                                               Shares of Common Stock
                                               Beneficially Owned (1)
                                          ---------------------------------
                                              Number           Percentage
                 Name                       of Shares           of Class
- ---------------------------------------   --------------     --------------

Thomas H. Lee (2)......................        2,347,529              31.1%
Rohit M. Desai (3)(4)..................        1,657,441              21.9%
David B. Cornstein (5)(6)..............          515,862               6.8%
Arthur E. Reiner (6)(7)................          167,735               2.2%
Warren C. Smith, Jr. (8)...............           29,168                  *
Norman S. Matthews (9).................           40,000                  *
James Martin Kaplan (6)................            4,000                  *
Leslie A. Philip (6)(10)...............           13,333                  *
Barry D. Scheckner (6)(11).............           15,600                  *
Edward Stein (6)(11)...................           11,533                  *

All Directors and Executive                    4,787,618              62.2%
   Officers as a group
   (10 persons) (12)...................

- ---------------------------
*    Less than one percent.

(1)  The persons named in the table have sole voting and  investment  power with
     respect to all shares of Common  Stock  subject to the terms of the Amended
     Stockholders' Agreement.

(2)  Includes  2,048,808  shares of Common Stock held of record by Thomas H. Lee
     Equity Partners, L.P. ("THLEP"), the general partner of which is THL Equity
     Advisors Limited Partnership,  a Massachusetts limited partnership of which
     Mr. Lee is a general  partner,  and 298,721  shares of Common Stock held of
     record by 1989 Thomas H. Lee Nominee Trust (the "Nominee Trust"). Mr. Lee's
     address  is  c/o  Thomas  H.  Lee  Company,   75  State   Street,   Boston,
     Massachusetts 02109.

(3)  The address of Mr. Desai is c/o Desai Capital Management Incorporated,  540
     Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022.








                                       30
<PAGE>

(4)  Includes  953,029  shares of Common  Stock held of record by  Equity-Linked
     Investors, L.P. ("ELI-I") and 704,412 shares of Common Stock held of record
     by  Equity-Linked  Investors-II  ("ELI-II").  ELI-I and ELI-II are  limited
     partnerships,  the general  partners of which are Rohit M. Desai Associates
     and  Rohit M.  Desai  Associates-II  (together,  the  "General  Partners"),
     respectively. Rohit M. Desai is the managing general partner of each of the
     General Partners.  Mr. Desai is also the sole stockholder,  chairman of the
     board and  president of Desai  Capital  Management  Incorporated  ("DCMI"),
     which  acts as an  investment  advisor  to  ELI-I  and  ELI-II.  Under  the
     investment  advisory  agreements between DCMI and each of ELI-I and ELI-II,
     DCMI has the power to vote and  dispose of these  securities.  DCMI and Mr.
     Desai disclaim beneficial ownership of the securities. The address of ELI-I
     and  ELI-II is c/o  Desai  Capital  Management  Incorporated,  540  Madison
     Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

(5)  Includes  options to acquire  40,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share.

(6)  The address of Messrs.  Cornstein,  Reiner, Kaplan, Scheckner and Stein and
     Ms. Philip is in care of the Company,  521 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
     10175.

(7)  Includes  options to acquire  23,088 shares of Common Stock granted in 1994
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share.

(8)  Includes  options to acquire  14,584  shares  from the Nominee  Trust.  Mr.
     Smith's address is c/o Thomas H. Lee Company, 75 State Street, Boston,
      Massachusetts 02109.

(9)  Includes  options to acquire  10,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an  exercise  price of $12.00 per share,  options to acquire  10,000
     shares of Common Stock  granted in 1993 having an exercise  price of $16.50
     per share, options to acquire 10,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise  price of $14.00 per share and options to acquire 10,000
     shares of Common Stock  granted in 1996 having an exercise  price of $11.16
     per share. Mr. Matthew's address is 650 Madison Avenue,  New York, New York
     10022.

(10) Includes  options to acquire  13,333 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $11.19 per share.

(11) Includes for Messrs. Scheckner and Stein options to acquire 9,600 and 7,200
     shares,  respectively,  of Common  Stock  granted on May 26, 1993 having an
     exercise  price of $7.23 per share and  options to acquire  4,000 and 3,333
     shares,  respectively,  of Common Stock  granted on April 5, 1995 having an
     exercise price of $14.00 per share.

(12) Includes  options to acquire  140,554 shares having exercise prices ranging
     from $7.23 to $16.50 per share.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

     The  information  to  be  included  in  the  section   captioned   "Certain
Relationships  and Related  Transactions" in the Proxy Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.



                                       31
<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K


(a)   Documents filed as part of this report:

 (1)   Financial Statements.
          See Financial Statements Index included in Item 8 of Part II of this 
           Form 10-K.

 (2)   Financial Statement Schedules.
          Consolidated Financial Statements of Finlay Jewelry.

 (3)   Exhibits.

          Item Number (Exhibit Number referenced to Item 601 of Regulation S-K).

3.1  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the Company  (incorporated  by
     reference  to Exhibit  3.1 filed as part of the Annual  Report on Form 10-K
     for the period  ended  January  28,  1995 filed by the Company on April 12,
     1995).

3.2  Amended and Restated  By-laws of the Company  (incorporated by reference to
     Exhibit 3.2 of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).

4.1  Article Fourth of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Articles II
     and VI of the Amended and  Restated  Bylaws  (incorporated  by reference to
     Exhibit 4.1 of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).

4.2  Specimen Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
     of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).

4.3  Specimen  12% Senior  Discount  Debenture  Due 2005  issued by the  Company
     (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  4.3 filed as part of the  Current
     Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).

4.4(a) Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between the Company and Marine Midland
     Bank, as Trustee,  relating to the 12% Senior  Discount  Debenture Due 2005
     issued by the Company  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed as
     part of the  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed by the  Company  on June 10,
     1993).

4.4(b) First  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of  October  28,  1994 among the
     Company, Sonab Holdings, Inc. ("Sonab Holdings"), Sonab International, Inc.
     ("Sonab International"),  Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee, to the
     indenture relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by
     the Company  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended  October 29, 1994 filed
     by the Company on December 13, 1994).
 
4.4(c) Second  Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of July 14,  1995,  among  the
     Company,  Sonab  Holdings,  Sonab  International,  Sonab and Marine Midland
     Bank,  as trustee,  to the  indenture  relating to the 12% Senior  Discount
     Debentures due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated


                                       32
<PAGE>

     by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 
     10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September  
     9, 1995).
 
4.5  Pledge Agreement between the Company,  and Marine Midland Bank, as Pledgee,
     dated as of May 26, 1993  (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.NN filed
     as part of the Annual Report for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by
     the Company on Form 10-K on April 27, 1994).

4.6  Specimen 105/8% Senior Note Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated
     by reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K
     filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10, 1993).

4.7(a) Indenture  dated as of May 26,  1993  between  Finlay  Jewelry and Marine
     Midland  Bank,  as Trustee,  relating to the 105/8%  Senior  Notes Due 2003
     issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed as
     part of the Current  Report on Form 8-K filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10,
     1993).

4.7(b) First  Supplemental  Indenture  dated as of October 28, 1994 among Finlay
     Jewelry,  Sonab  Holdings,  Sonab  International,  Sonab and Marine Midland
     Bank, as Trustee,  to the indenture relating to the 105/8% Senior Notes Due
     2003 issued by Finlay  Jewelry  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.1
     filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended
     October 29, 1994 filed by Finlay Jewelry on December 13, 1994).

4.7(c) Second  Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of July 14, 1995, among Finlay
     Jewelry,  Sonab  Holdings,  Sonab  International,  Sonab and Marine Midland
     Bank, as trustee,  to the indenture relating to the 105/8% Senior Notes due
     2003 issued by Finlay  Jewelry  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4.1
     filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended
     July 29, 1995 filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9, 1995).

4.8  Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay
     Jewelry,  THL Equity  Holding  Corp.,  Equity-Linked  Investors,  L.P.  and
     Equity-Linked  Investors-II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 filed
     as part of the Current  Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10,
     1993).

4.9  Amended  and  Restated  Stockholders'  Agreement  dated as of March 6, 1995
     among  the  Company,  David B.  Cornstein,  Arthur  E.  Reiner,  Robert  S.
     Lowenstein, Norman S. Matthews, Ronald B. Grudberg, Harold S. Geneen, James
     Martin Kaplan,  Electra Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings,  Inc., Jeffrey
     Branman,   The  Lee  Holders   listed  on  the   signature   page  thereto,
     Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., Equity-Linked Investors-II and certain other
     security holders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 filed as part of
     the Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed
     by the Company on April 12, 1995).

4.10 Registration  Rights  Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company,
     David B.  Cornstein,  Harold  S.  Geneen,  Ronald  B.  Grudberg,  Robert S.
     Lowenstein, John C. Belknap, James Martin Kaplan, Electra Investment Trust,
     PLC, RHI Holdings,  Inc.,  Jeffrey Branman,  Andrew U. Belknap,  Timothy H.
     Belknap,  THL Equity  Holding  Corp.,  Equity-Linked  Investors,  L.P.  and
     Equity-Linked  Investors-II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 filed
     as part of the Current  Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10,
     1993).

10.1 Underwriting  Agreement relating to the Offering dated April 6, 1995 by and
     among the Company,  Finlay Jewelry,  the Selling  Stockholders and Goldman,
     Sachs  & Co.  on  behalf  of  each  of the  Underwriters  (incorporated  by
     reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Annual

                                       33
<PAGE>

     Report on Form 10-K for the period  ended  January 28, 1995 filed by the 
     Company on April 12, 1995).

10.2 Form of  Agreement  and  Certificate  of Option  Pursuant  to the Long Term
     Incentive  Plan of the Company  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.1
     filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended
     July 31, 1993 filed by the Company on September 14, 1993).

10.3 The Company's  Restated  Retirement  Income Plan (401(k))  (incorporated by
     reference  to Exhibit  10.6 filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form
     10-Q for the period  ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on  September
     9, 1995).

10.3(a) Amendment No. 1 to the Company's  Restated  Retirement  Income Plan (401
     (k))  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.7  filed as part of the
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended July 29, 1995 filed by
     the Company on September 9, 1995).

10.3(b) Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Retirement Income Plan (incorporated by
     reference  to Exhibit  10.1 filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form
     10-Q for the  period  ended May 4, 1996  filed by the  Company  on June 14,
     1996).
 
10.4 Executive   Medical  Benefits  Plan  of  Finlay  Jewelry  and  the  Company
     (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.7  of Form  S-1  Registration
     Statement, Registration No. 33-59434).

10.5(a) Employment Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 between David B. Cornstein
     and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.2 filed as part
     of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed
     by the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.5(b) Amendment to Employment  Agreement dated as of December 20, 1995 between
     David B. Cornstein and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
     10.1  filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q for the  period
     ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).

10.6 Employment  Agreement  dated May 26, 1993  between  Ronald B.  Grudberg and
     Finlay Jewelry  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.3 filed as part of
     the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by
     the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.7 Employment  Agreement  dated May 26, 1993 between Robert S.  Lowenstein and
     Finlay Jewelry  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.4 filed as part of
     the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by
     the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.8(a)  Employment  Agreement  dated as of January  3, 1995 among the  Company,
     Finlay Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
     10.7(a) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).

10.8(b)  Executive  Securities  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of January 3, 1995
     between  the Company and Arthur E. Reiner  (incorporated  by  reference  to
     Exhibit  10.7(b)  of Form  S-1  Registration  Statement,  Registration  No.
     33-88938).

10.8(c) Limited Recourse Secured  Promissory Note dated as of January 3, 1995 by
     Arthur E.  Reiner in favor of the Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to
     Exhibit  10.7(c)  of Form  S-1  Registration  Statement,  Registration  No.
     33-88938).


                                       34
<PAGE>

10.8(d) Stock Pledge  Agreement  dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company
     and Arthur E. Reiner  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(d) of Form
     S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).

10.8(e)  Amendment to Employment  Agreement  dated as of May 17, 1995 among  the
     the Company, Finaly Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner.

10.9(a) Consulting and Option  Agreement dated as of July 7, 1993 by and between
     Finlay Jewelry and Norman S. Matthews (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
     10.OO filed as part of the Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
     January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on April 27, 1994).

10.9(b) Amendment to Consulting and Option  Agreement  dated as of March 6, 1995
     between Norman S. Matthews and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to
     Exhibit  10.2  filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the
     period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).

10.10 Tax Allocation  Agreement dated as of November 1, 1992 between the Company
     and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.5 filed as part
     of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed
     by the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.11 Management Agreement  dated as of May 26, 1993 among the  Company,  Finlay
     Jewelry and Thomas H. Lee Company  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit
     28.2 filed as part of the  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company
     on June 10, 1993).

10.12 Management Agreement  dated as of May 26, 1993 among the  Company,  Finlay
     Jewelry  and  Desai  Capital  Management   Incorporated   (incorporated  by
     reference to Exhibit  28.1 filed as part of the Current  Report on Form 8-K
     filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).

10.13(a) Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company  (incorporated  by reference to
     Exhibit  19.6  filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the
     period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.13(b) Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated
     by reference to Exhibit  10.14(b) of the Form S-1  Registration  Statement,
     Registration No. 33-88938).

10.14(a) Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement dated as of March 28, 1995 among
     GE Capital,  individually and its capacity as agent,  certain other lenders
     and financial  institutions,  the Company and Finlay  Jewelry (the "Amended
     and Restated Credit Agreement") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15
     filed  as part of the  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for the  period  ended
     January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).

10.14(b) Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 15, 1995, to the Amended and Restated
     Credit  Agreement  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part
     of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended July 29,  1995
     filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9, 1995).

10.14(c) Amendment No. 2 to the Amended  Restated  Credit  Agreement dated as of
     February 1, 1996  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.15(c) filed as
     part of the Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the period  ended  February  3,
     1996 filed by the Company on April 9, 1996).

10.14(d) Form of Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
 



                                       35
<PAGE>

10.15(a) Amended and Restated  Revolving  Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the
     Company  and Finlay  Jewelry  to the order of GE  Capital in the  principal
     amount of $98,000,000  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16(a) filed
     as part of the Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28,
     1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).

10.15(b) Amended and Restated  Revolving  Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the
     Company and Finlay  Jewelry to the order of Shawmut  Bank in the  principal
     amount of $37,000,000  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16(b) filed
     as part of the Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28,
     1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).

10.16 Security  Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of
     GE Capital,  as agent  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 19.9 filed as
     part of the Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993
     filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.17 Security Agreement  and  Mortgage -  Trademarks,  Patents and  Copyrights,
     dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of GE Capital, as agent
     (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 19.10 filed as part of the Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended May 1, 1993 filed by the  Company
     on June 30, 1993).

10.18 Assignment of Life Insurance  Policy as  Collateral  dated May 26, 1993 by
     the  Company  to GE  Capital,  as agent  (upon  the  life of each  David B.
     Cornstein,  Ronald B. Grudberg and Robert S.  Lowenstein)  (incorporated by
     reference to Exhibit  19.11 filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form
     10-Q for the  period  ended May 1, 1993  filed by the  Company  on June 30,
     1993).

10.19 Assignment of Business Interruption  Insurance  Policy as Collateral dated
     February 28, 1994 by Finlay Jewelry to GE Capital,  as agent  (incorporated
     by  reference  to Exhibit  10.M filed as part of the Annual  Report on Form
     10-K for the period  ended  January  29, 1994 filed by the Company on April
     27, 1994).

10.20(a)  Guarantee  dated as of May 26,  1993 by  Finlay  Jewelry,  Inc.  to GE
     Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.13 filed as part
     of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed
     by the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.20(b) Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in favor of GE
     Capital  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 10.5 filed as part of the
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended  October 29, 1994 filed
     by the Company on December 13, 1994).

10.20(c) Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab  International in favor
     of GE Capital  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of
     the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended  October 29, 1994
     filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).

10.20(d) Guarantee  dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of GE Capital
     (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the  Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended  October  29,  1994 filed by the
     Company on December 13, 1994).

10.21(a)  Pledge  Agreement  dated as of May 26,  1993 by Finlay  Jewelry  to GE
     Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.14 filed as part
     of the Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994
     filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).




                                       36
<PAGE>

10.21(b) Amendment  Agreement dated October 28, 1994 to the Pledge  Agreement by
     Finlay Jewelry in favor of GE Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
     10.8  filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form  10-Q for the  period
     ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).

10.22(a) Share Pledge  Agreement  (Translation)  dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab
     Holdings in favor of GE Capital  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9
     filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended
     October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).

10.22(b) Share Pledge  Agreement  (Translation)  dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab
     International in favor of GE Capital  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
     10.10  filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  period
     ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).

10.23 Master Agreement  for the  Assignment  of Accounts  Receivable as Security
     (Translation)  dated  October  28,  1994 by Sonab  in  favor of GE  Capital
     (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed as part of the Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended  October  29,  1994 filed by the
     Company on December 13, 1994).

10.24 Note Pledge Agreement  dated as of October  28, 1994 by Finlay  Jewelry in
     favor of GE Capital  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.12 filed as
     part of the Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29,
     1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).

10.25 Termination Agreement  dated  as of  May  26,  1993  by and  among  Finlay
     Jewelry,  the Company and WCC  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.15
     filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May
     1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).

10.26 Exchange Agreement  among the  Company,  the Lee  Investors  and the Desai
     Investors  relating to the Series C Exchange  (incorporated by reference to
     Exhibit  10.27  of  Form  S-1  Registration  Statement,   Registration  No.
     33-88938).

10.27 Share Purchase  Agreement  dated as of October 28, 1994 among  Societe Des
     Grands  Magasins  Galeries   Lafayette,   Union  Pour  Les  Investissements
     Commerciaux,  Societe  Anonyme Des Galeries  Lafayette,  Sonab Holdings and
     Sonab  International  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as
     part of the Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29,
     1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).

10.28 Form of Officer's and Director's Indemnification  Agreement  (incorporated
     by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part of the Quarterly  Report on Form
     10-Q for the period  ended  April 29,  1995 filed by the Company on June 3,
     1995).

10.29(a)  Gold  Consignment  Agreement  dated  as of June 15,  1995  (the  "Gold
     Consignment  Agreement")  between Finlay Jewelry and Rhode Island  Hospital
     Trust  National  Bank ("RIHT")  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.1
     filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended
     July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).

10.29(b) Amendment No. 1 and Limited Consent to the Gold  Consignment  Agreement
     (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.31(b) filed as part of the Annual
     Report on Form 10-K for the  period  ended  February  3, 1996  filed by the
     Company on April 9, 1996).


                                       37
<PAGE>

10.30 Security Agreement  dated as of June 15, 1995 between  Finlay  Jewelry and
     RIHT  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.2  filed as part of the
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended July 29, 1995 filed by
     the Company on September 9, 1995).

10.31 Cash Collateral Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry
     and RIHT  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed as part of the
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended July 29, 1995 filed by
     the Company on September 9, 1995).

10.32 Intercreditor Agreement  dated as of June 15, 1995  between GE Capital and
     RIHT and  acknowledged  by Finlay  Jewelry  (incorporated  by  reference to
     Exhibit  10.5  filed as part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the
     period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).

11.1 Computation of earnings per share.

21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of
     Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).

23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors.

27   Financial Data Schedule.

 
(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

      No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of 1996.



                                       38
                              
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES



     Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                                        FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.


Date: April 28, 1997                    By: /s/ David B. Cornstein
                                            --------------------------
                                            David B. Cornstein
                                            Chairman of the Board


     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, this
Report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:


      Name                           Title                             Date
      ----                           -----                             ----

 /s/David B. Cornstein   Chairman of the Board and Director      April 28, 1997
- ----------------------
  David B. Cornstein                           
                   
        
 /s/ Arthur E. Reiner    President, Chief Executive Officer,     April 28, 1997
- ----------------------   Vice-Chairman-and Director
   Arthur E Reiner       Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ Barry D. Scheckner   Senior Vice President and Chief         April 28, 1997
- ----------------------   Financial Officer (Principal  
  Barry D. Scheckner     Financial Officer)


/s/ Bruce E. Zurlnick    Treasurer (Principal Accounting         April 28, 1997
- ----------------------   Officer)
  Bruce E. Zurlnick


/s/ Norman S. Matthews   Director                                April 28, 1997
- ----------------------
 Norman S. Matthews


                                       39
<PAGE>
 
      Name                           Title                             Date
      ----                           -----                             ----

/s/ James Martin Kaplan     Director                             April 28, 1997
- -----------------------
 James Martin Kaplan
 


  /s/ Rohit M. Desai        Director                             April 28, 1997
- -----------------------                    
   Rohit M. Desai              


   /s/ Thomas H. Lee        Director                             April 28, 1997
- -----------------------
      Thomas H. Lee


/s/ Warren C. Smith, Jr.    Director                             April 28, 1997
- -----------------------
 Warren C. Smith, Jr.




























                                       40
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




Report of Independent Public Accountants....................................F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended 
  January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997...................F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 3, 1996 and 
  February 1, 1997..........................................................F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years 
  ended January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997.............F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended 
  January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997...................F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................F-7





                                       F-1
<PAGE>


                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



To Stockholders and Board of Directors
  of Finlay Enterprises, Inc.:

     We have  audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of Finlay
Enterprises, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiary as of February 3, 1996
and February 1, 1997,  and the related  consolidated  statements of  operations,
changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for the  fifty-two  weeks ended
January 28, 1995, the fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 1996 and the fifty-two
weeks ended February 1, 1997. These financial  statements are the responsibility
of the  Company's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted  our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion,  the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Finlay Enterprises, Inc. and
subsidiary as of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the fifty-two  weeks ended January 28, 1995,
the fifty-  three weeks ended  February  3, 1996 and the  fifty-two  weeks ended
February 1, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

 


                                                           ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
March 18, 1997





                                       F-2
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (in thousands, except share and per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Year Ended
                                                                   ---------------------------------------
                                                                   January 28,   February 3,   February 1,
                                                                      1995          1996          1997
                                                                   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>           <C>       
Sales..........................................................    $   552,090   $   654,491   $   685,274
Cost of sales..................................................        261,263       314,029       330,300
                                                                   -----------   -----------   -----------     
   Gross margin................................................        290,827       340,462       354,974
Selling, general and administrative expenses...................        240,274       282,504       290,138
Depreciation and amortization..................................          8,910         9,659        10,840
Management transition and consulting expense...................          5,144       -             -
                                                                   -----------   -----------   -----------   
   Income (loss) from operations...............................         36,499        48,299        53,996
Proceeds from life insurance...................................        -              (5,000)      -
Interest expense, net..........................................         28,488        29,705        31,204
                                                                   -----------   -----------   -----------
   Income (loss) before income taxes...........................          8,011        23,594        22,792
Provision (credit) for income taxes............................          5,280         9,343        11,035
                                                                   -----------   -----------   -----------
   Net income (loss)...........................................          2,731        14,251        11,757
Dividends and amortization of discount on Preferred Stock                                                
   and accretion on conversion of Preferred Stock..............          3,332        10,717        -
                                                                   -----------   -----------   -----------
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares..................    $      (601)  $     3,534   $    11,757     
                                                                   ===========   ===========   ===========
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares........    $     (0.27)  $      0.53   $      1.55
                                                                   ===========   ===========   ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding (A)........................      2,260,892     6,639,727     7,569,529
                                                                   ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(A)  The weighted average shares  outstanding for 1994 and 1995 are based on the
     number of shares of Common Stock issued and  outstanding  after  reflecting
     the stock split  discussed  in Note 6 as if such split  occurred on January
     30, 1994.

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       F-3
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (in thousands, except share and per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  February 3,     February 1,
                                                                                     1996            1997
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
                                            ASSETS
Current assets
<S>                                                                               <C>             <C>        
   Cash and cash equivalents.................................................     $    26,014     $    20,846
   Accounts receivable - department stores...................................          18,889          15,362
   Other receivables.........................................................           2,860           4,350
   Merchandise inventories...................................................         195,926         222,445
   Prepaid expenses and other................................................           1,526           1,437
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
      Total current assets...................................................         245,215         264,440
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
Fixed assets
   Equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements............................          65,206          73,223
   Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization..........................          22,735          21,423
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
      Fixed assets, net......................................................          42,471          51,800
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
Deferred charges and other assets............................................           9,012           9,770
Goodwill.....................................................................          98,447          95,263
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
      Total assets...........................................................     $   395,145     $   421,273
                                                                                  ===========     ===========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities
   Current portion of long-term debt.........................................     $       206     $         2
   Accounts payable - trade..................................................         125,817         133,252
   Accrued liabilities:
      Accrued salaries and benefits..........................................          14,100          15,061
      Accrued miscellaneous taxes............................................           4,160           4,148
      Accrued insurance......................................................           1,115             762
      Accrued interest.......................................................           3,703           3,833
      Accrued management transition and consulting...........................           2,418           1,787
      Other..................................................................          16,093          15,124
   Income taxes payable......................................................          10,372          12,046
   Deferred income taxes.....................................................             836             809
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
        Total current liabilities............................................         178,820         186,824
Long-term debt...............................................................         202,905         211,427
Other non-current liabilities................................................             636             517
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
        Total liabilities....................................................         382,361         398,768
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
Stockholders' equity
   Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 25,000,000 shares;                                 
      issued and outstanding 7,524,356 and 7,558,838 shares, respectively....              75              76
   Additional paid-in capital................................................          47,459          47,725
   Distributions to investor group in excess of carryover basis..............         (24,390)        (24,390)
   Note receivable from stock sale...........................................          (1,001)         (1,001)
   Retained earnings (deficit)...............................................          (8,612)          3,145
   Foreign currency translation adjustment...................................            (747)         (3,050)
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
                                                                                       12,784          22,505
                                                                                  -----------     -----------
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity...........................     $   395,145     $   421,273
                                                                                  ===========     ===========
</TABLE>


     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       F-4
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                        (in thousands, except share data)




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                       
                                   Common Stock                 Distributions to   Note                    Foreign                  
                                 -----------------  Additional   investor group  Receivable    Retained    Currency       Total
                                   Number            Paid-in      in excess of     from        Earnings   Translation  Stockholders'
                                 of shares  Amount   Capital    carryover basis  Stock Sale    (Deficit)   Adjustment     Equity
                                 ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  -----------  ----------  -----------  -------------

<S>              <C> <C>         <C>        <C>     <C>          <C>             <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>          
Balance, January 29, 1994......  2,256,107  $  23   $  (20,887)  $   (24,390)    $   -        $  (11,545)  $    -      $    (56,799)

 Net income (loss).............      -        -          -              -            -             2,731        -             2,731
 Dividends on Series C 
  Preferred Stock..............      -        -          -              -            -            (3,332)       -            (3,332)
 Foreign currency translation 
  adjustment...................      -        -          -              -            -             -             (334)         (334)
 Issuance of Common Stock in 
  exchange for Note 
  receivable...................    138,525      1        1,650          -            (1,001)       -           -                650
                                 ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  -----------  -----------  ----------- -------------
Balance, January 28, 1995......  2,394,632     24      (19,237)      (24,390)        (1,001)     (12,146)        (334)      (57,084)

 Net income (loss).............      -        -          -              -            -            14,251       -             14,251
 Dividends on Series C 
  Preferred Stock..............      -        -          -              -            -              (717)      -               (717)
 Foreign currency translation 
  adjustment...................      -        -          -              -            -             -             (413)         (413)
 Exercise of stock options.....     47,940    -            444          -            -             -            -               444
 Issuance of Common Stock......  2,500,000     25       30,133          -            -             -            -            30,158
 Conversion of Series C 
  Preferred Stock to Common 
  Stock........................  2,581,784     26       36,119          -            -           (10,000)      -             26,145
                                 ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -------------
Balance, February 3, 1996......  7,524,356     75       47,459       (24,390)        (1,001)      (8,612)       (747)        12,784

 Net income (loss).............       -       -          -              -            -            11,757       -             11,757
 Foreign currency translation 
  adjustment...................       -       -          -              -            -             -           (2,303)       (2,303)
 Exercise of stock options.....     34,482      1          266          -            -             -            -               267
                                 ---------  -----   ----------  ---------------  -----------  -----------  ----------  -------------
Balance, February 1, 1997......  7,558,838  $  76   $   47,725   $   (24,390)    $   (1,001)  $    3,145   $   (3,050) $     22,505
                                 =========  =====   ==========  ===============  ===========  ===========  ==========  =============
</TABLE>

 



     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.

















                                       F-5
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                  Year Ended
                                                                                --------------------------------------------
                                                                                 January 28,     February 3,     February 1,
                                                                                    1995           1996           1997
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>            <C>        
   Net income (loss)......................................................      $     2,731      $   14,251     $    11,757
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from                                            
      (used in) operating activities:                                                                              
   Depreciation and amortization..........................................            9,935          10,764          12,067
   Imputed interest on debentures.........................................            7,385           7,697           8,494
   Other, net.............................................................           (1,184)         (1,534)         (1,105)
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from                                        
      purchase of Sonab (Note 12):                                                                                         
      (Increase) decrease in accounts and other receivables...............           (3,642)         (9,856)          1,548
      Increase in merchandise inventories.................................          (29,412)        (35,601)        (28,380)
      (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other...................               57            (267)             72
      Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities................           41,327           9,783           8,645
      Decrease in deferred income taxes...................................           (2,376)           (539)            (27)
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------        
NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) OPERATING                                                                 
           ACTIVITIES.....................................................           24,821          (5,302)         13,071
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements............          (11,228)        (14,933)        (17,533)
   Payment for purchase of Sonab, net of cash acquired....................             (276)         -               -
   Other, net.............................................................             (858)         (1,582)           (621)
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
        NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES.............................          (12,362)        (16,515)        (18,154)
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Proceeds from revolving credit facility................................          392,911         439,720         442,947
   Principal payments on revolving credit facility........................         (392,911)       (439,720)       (442,947)
   Repayment of Sonab loans...............................................           (9,418)         -              -
   Repurchase of debentures...............................................          -                (5,789)        -
   Net proceeds from initial public offering of common stock..............          -                30,158         -
   Other, net.............................................................           (1,103)             75              61
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
        NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) FINANCING                                                                 
           ACTIVITIES.....................................................          (10,521)         24,444              61
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------

        EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH...........................               (5)           (221)           (146)
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
        INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                           
           EQUIVALENTS....................................................            1,933           2,406          (5,168)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD............................           21,675          23,608          26,014
                                                                                ------------    ------------    ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD..................................      $    23,608      $   26,014     $    20,846
                                                                                ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>


 

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.









                                       F-6
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 -  ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
                 RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS

     Finlay Enterprises, Inc., (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, conducts
business through Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation ("Finlay Jewelry"),  its wholly
owned subsidiary.  References to "Finlay" mean collectively, the Company, Finlay
Jewelry and all  predecessor  businesses.  Finlay is a retailer of fine  jewelry
products and primarily  operates  leased fine jewelry  departments in department
stores throughout the United States and France. Finlay also operates leased fine
jewelry departments in the United Kingdom and Germany.  All references herein to
leased departments refer to departments  operated pursuant to license agreements
or other arrangements with host department stores.

Initial Public Offering and Related Transactions

     On April 6, 1995,  the Company  completed an initial  public  offering (the
"Offering")  of  2,500,000  shares of its Common  Stock at a price of $14.00 per
share.  An  additional  115,000  shares  were  sold by non-  management  selling
stockholders.  Net proceeds from the Offering after  deducting the  underwriting
discount of  $2,300,000  and expenses of  approximately  $2,500,000  incurred in
connection with the Offering,  were  $30,200,000.  The net proceeds were used to
repurchase  $6,103,000  accreted  balance of the Company's  12% Senior  Discount
Debentures  due 2005  (the  "Debentures")  at a price  equal to  $5,789,000,  or
approximately  95% of the accreted amount.  The balance of the net proceeds were
used  to  reduce  a  portion  of the  outstanding  indebtedness  under  Finlay's
$135,000,000  Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving  Credit  Facility") with
General Electric Capital Corporation ("G.E.  Capital"),  which was accounted for
as a capital contribution to Finlay Jewelry.

     Immediately  prior to the  completion of the  Offering,  the holders of the
Company's 10% Series C Cumulative  Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred  Stock")
exchanged all  outstanding  shares of Series C Preferred  Stock with the Company
for 2,581,784 shares of Common Stock (the "Series C Exchange").  For purposes of
the Series C Exchange,  the outstanding  Series C Preferred Stock was (i) valued
at its liquidation  value of $30,000,000  plus  $6,145,000 of accrued  dividends
through  the date of  completion  of the  Series C  Exchange,  paid in kind at a
quarterly rate of 2.5% and (ii) exchanged for Common Stock at the initial public
offering price of $14.00 per share.

     G.E.  Capital  agreed to reduce the interest rate on the  Revolving  Credit
Facility by 0.5%  concurrent  with the  Offering.  The Company and G.E.  Capital
amended  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  in March 1995  pursuant  to which the
Company  became a co-obligor  with Finlay  Jewelry  under the  Revolving  Credit
Facility with respect to a portion of the borrowings thereunder.

The 1993 Recapitalization

     In May 1993,  an  affiliate  of Thomas H. Lee  Company  (together  with its
affiliated  transferees,  the "Lee Investors") and partnerships managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated (collectively, the "Desai Investors"),  acquired
36.8% and 24.5%,  respectively,  of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the
Company  in a series  of  transactions  which  recapitalized  the  Company  (the
"Recapitalization  Transactions").  Following the Recapitalization Transactions,
management maintained a substantial equity interest in the Company.



                                       F-7
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 -  ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
                RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS (continued)

     The  Recapitalization  Transactions  included  an  investment  by  the  Lee
Investors  (the  "Lee   Investment")   and  the  Desai   Investors  (the  "Desai
Investment")  in units  consisting  of the Series C  Preferred  Stock and Common
Stock.  Concurrently,  certain other existing classes of preferred stock and all
outstanding  warrants to  purchase  Common  Stock were  redeemed.  These  equity
related  transactions  resulted  in the Lee  Investors  and the Desai  Investors
obtaining 52.6% beneficial ownership of the outstanding Common Stock.

     The Recapitalization  Transactions also included the public issuance by the
Company of units  consisting of Debentures and Common Stock, the public issuance
by Finlay  Jewelry  of the 105/8  Senior  Notes due 2003 (the  "Notes")  and the
refinancing of the Company's  outstanding  term loans (the "WCC Term Loans") and
revolving  indebtedness  (the "WCC Revolving  Credit  Facility" and collectively
with the WCC Term Loans, the "WCC Loans") with Westinghouse  Credit  Corporation
("WCC").  The WCC  Revolving  Credit  Facility  was replaced by the $110 million
Revolving Credit Facility with G.E.  Capital.  The Revolving Credit Facility was
amended at the time of the Sonab  acquisition  to, among other things,  increase
the amount available thereunder to $135 million. See Notes 4 and 12.

Organization and the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization

     Finlay Jewelry was initially  incorporated on August 2, 1985 as SL Holdings
Corporation ("SL Holdings"). The Company, a Delaware corporation incorporated on
November  22,  1988,  was  organized  by certain  officers  and  directors  (the
"Investor  Group") of SL Holdings to acquire certain  operations of SL Holdings.
In connection with the reorganization ("1988 Leveraged Recapitalization"), which
resulted  in the merger of a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of the  Company  into SL
Holdings,  SL Holdings  changed its name to Finlay Fine Jewelry  Corporation and
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

     The 1988 Leveraged  Recapitalization was accounted for as a purchase in the
accompanying financial statements. Accordingly, the excess of the purchase price
over the net assets of Finlay  Jewelry  has been  assigned  to  goodwill.  Since
certain members of the Investor Group  beneficially  owned shares of SL Holdings
before the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization and owned shares of the Company after
the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization,  the purchase method of accounting does not
apply to their ownership  interest in SL Holdings.  Accordingly,  for accounting
purposes, stockholders' equity reflects the total shares of SL Holdings owned by
the Investor Group at their respective adjusted historical costs, reduced by the
consideration  paid for the SL Holdings shares owned by the Investor Group. This
resulted in a reduction in stockholders'  equity of $24,390,000 and is reflected
as  Distributions  to  investor  group  in  excess  of  carryover  basis  in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Basis  of  Accounting  and  Presentation:  The   accompanying  Consolidated
Financial  Statements  have been  prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in
accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  which, for certain
financial statement accounts, requires the use of management's estimates. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.



                                       F-8
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

     Fiscal Year:  The  Company's  fiscal year ends on the  Saturday  closest to
January 31.  References to 1994,  1995 and 1996 relate to the fiscal years ended
on January 28, 1995,  February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997.  Each of the fiscal
years includes 52 weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.

     Merchandise  Inventories:  Consolidated inventories are stated at the lower
of cost or  market  with  cost for the  domestic  operations  determined  by the
last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. Market represents estimated realizable value
after  providing  for a  normal  profit  margin.  The  cost  to  Finlay  of gold
merchandise sold on consignment,  which typically varies with the price of gold,
is not fixed until the sale is reported to the vendor  following the sale of the
merchandise.  Finlay at times enters into futures contracts,  such as options or
forwards,  based upon the  anticipated  sales of gold  product in order to hedge
against the risk arising from those payment arrangements.  Changes in the market
value of futures contracts are accounted for as an addition to or reduction from
the inventory cost. For the years ended January 28,  1995,  February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997, the gain/loss on open futures contracts was not material.  The
Company  did not  have any  open  positions  in  futures  contracts  for gold at
February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997.

     Depreciation and Amortization:  Depreciation and amortization, except where
otherwise indicated, are computed by the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the fixed assets ranging from three to ten years.

     Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Finlay Jewelry. All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

     Software  Development  Costs:  Costs incurred for the routine operation and
maintenance of management  information  systems are expensed as incurred.  It is
the Company's  policy to  capitalize  significant  amounts  relating to software
purchased from third party software vendors as well as external consulting costs
incurred  in the  development  and  improvement  of new  management  information
systems.

     Intangible Assets Arising from Acquisition:  The excess purchase price paid
over the fair market value of net assets acquired  ("Goodwill")  was recorded in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 16 - "Accounting
for Business  Combinations" and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
forty  years.  The Company  continually  evaluates  the  carrying  value and the
economic  useful life of Goodwill based on the Company's  operating  results and
the expected  future net cash flows and will adjust the  carrying  value and the
related amortization  period, if and when appropriate.  Amortization of Goodwill
for  1994,  1995  and  1996  totalled  $2,963,000,  $3,149,000  and  $3,143,000,
respectively.  Accumulated  amortization  of  Goodwill  at  February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997 totalled $21,408,000 and $24,551,000, respectively.

     Foreign  Currency  Translation:  Results of operations for Finlay Jewelry's
foreign  subsidiary are translated into U.S.  dollars using the average exchange
rates  during the period,  while assets and  liabilities  are  translated  using
current rates in accordance  with  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
("SFAS") No. 52,  "Foreign  Currency  Translation".  The  resulting  translation
adjustments  are recorded  directly into a separate  component of  Stockholders'
equity.  Transaction  gains and losses are  reported  in net income and were not
significant in any year.



                                       F-9
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

     Net income (loss) per share: Net income (loss) per share was computed based
on the weighted  average number of shares of Common Stock and common  equivalent
shares outstanding.  Common stock equivalents include options to purchase Common
Stock.  When dilutive,  stock options are included as common  equivalent  shares
using the treasury stock method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 15, "Earnings
per  share."  All share  and per share  amounts  in the  Consolidated  Financial
Statements reflect the Reverse Stock Split (as defined in Note 6) in conjunction
with the Offering.

     In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
128,  "Earnings per Share." Under SFAS No. 128, the  presentation  of both Basic
and Diluted  Earnings per share is required on the  statements of operations for
periods  ending after  December 15, 1997,  at which time  restatement  for prior
periods will be necessary.  Had the provisions of SFAS No. 128 been in effect as
of February 1, 1997, the Company would have reported Basic Net income (loss) per
share of ($0.27), $0.55 and $1.59 for 1994, 1995 and 1996,  respectively.  Under
SFAS No.  128,  Diluted  Net income  (loss) per share is equal to the Net income
(loss) per share currently disclosed by the Company.
 
     Net Income (loss) applicable to common shares: The Company has reflected in
Net income  (loss)  applicable  to common  shares,  dividends  and  accretion on
conversion of Preferred Stock for each period presented.

     Debt Issuance  Costs: Debt issuance costs of $8,527,000 arising principally
from the  Recapitalization  Transactions  are being amortized using the straight
line method over the terms of the related debt  agreements.  These debt issuance
costs  totalled  approximately  $5,600,000 at February 3, 1996 and $4,600,000 at
February 1, 1997.  The debt  issuance  costs are  reflected  as a  component  of
Deferred  charges  and other  assets in the  accompanying  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets.  Amortization  of debt issuance  costs for 1994,  1995 and 1996 totalled
$1,018,000, $1,037,000 and $1,056,000, respectively, and have been recorded as a
component of Interest expense, net in the accompanying  Consolidated  Statements
of Operations.

     Cost of Sales:  Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise sold, repair
expense,  shipping,  shrinkage and inventory losses.  Buying and occupancy costs
such as  lease  and  rental  fees  are not  included  in Cost of  sales  and are
reflected in Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.

     Statements of Cash Flows: The Company  considers cash on hand,  deposits in
banks and deposits in money market funds as cash and cash equivalents.  Interest
paid during 1994, 1995 and 1996 was  $20,071,000,  $21,027,000 and  $21,480,000,
respectively.  Income  taxes paid in 1994,  1995 and 1996  totalled  $6,567,000,
$9,372,000 and  $9,368,000,  respectively.  Refer to Note 12 for a discussion of
the Sonab acquisition.

     Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Cash, accounts receivable,  short-term
borrowings,  accounts  payable  and accrued  liabilities  are  reflected  in the
financial  statements at fair value because of the short-term  maturity of these
instruments.  Marketable  securities are recorded in the financial statements at
current market values, which approximates cost. The fair values of the Company's
debt and off-balance sheet financial instruments are disclosed in Note 4.

     Stock-Based Compensation:  Stock-based compensation is recognized using the
intrinsic  value  method.  For  disclosure  purposes,  pro forma net  income and
earnings per share are provided as if the fair value method had been applied.



                                      F-10
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

     Accounting  for  the  Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets:   SFAS  No.  121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed Of," requires long-lived assets as well as identifiable  intangibles
be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances  indicate
the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.  Upon adoption of this
Statement in 1996,  there was no impact on the Company's  financial  position or
results of operations.

     Seasonality:  A significant  portion of Finlay's  revenues are generated in
the fourth quarter due to the seasonality of the retail industry.  Approximately
75% of  Finlay's  domestic  sales in 1996  were  from  operations  in two  major
department store groups of which 51% represents Finlay's domestic sales from one
department store group.

NOTE 3 - MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES

     Merchandise inventories consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                    February 3,     February 1,
                                                                       1996            1997
                                                                    -----------     -----------
                                                                            (in thousands)
Jewelry goods - rings, watches and other fine                                            
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>        
   jewelry (specific identification basis)................          $   202,860     $   231,298
Excess of specific identification cost over LIFO                                         
   inventory value........................................                6,934           8,853
                                                                    -----------     -----------
                                                                    $   195,926     $   222,445
                                                                    ===========     ===========
</TABLE>


     The LIFO method had the effect of  decreasing  Income  (loss) before income
taxes in 1994, 1995 and 1996 by $845,000, $943,000 and $1,919,000, respectively.
Finlay determines its LIFO inventory value by utilizing  selected producer price
indices published for jewelry and watches by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due
to the  application of APB Opinion No. 16,  inventory  valued at LIFO for income
tax  reporting  purposes  is  approximately  $22,000,000  lower  than  that  for
financial reporting purposes at February 1, 1997.

     Approximately  $199,079,000  and  $194,276,000  at  February  3,  1996  and
February 1, 1997, respectively,  of merchandise received on consignment has been
excluded  from  Merchandise   inventories  and  Accounts  payable-trade  in  the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     In August 1995,  Finlay Jewelry  consummated a gold  consignment  agreement
(the "Gold  Consignment  Agreement")  with Rhode Island  Hospital Trust National
Bank  ("RIHT"),  which  matures  on  February  28,  1998.  The Gold  Consignment
Agreement  enables Finlay Jewelry to pay for  merchandise by providing  gold, or
otherwise  making payment,  to certain vendors who currently  supply Finlay with
merchandise on consignment.  While the merchandise  involved remains  consigned,
the consignor and title to the gold content of the merchandise  changes from the
vendors to RIHT. As a result,  such vendors have reduced  their working  capital
requirements and associated financing costs. Consequently, Finlay has negotiated
more favorable terms with the participating vendors.



                                      F-11
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3 - MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES (continued)

     Finlay can obtain,  pursuant to the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  up to the
lesser of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25 million worth of gold, subject
to a formula as prescribed  by the Gold  Consignment  Agreement.  At February 3,
1996 and  February  1,  1997,  amounts  outstanding  under the Gold  Consignment
Agreement totalled 22,090 and 36,916 fine troy ounces,  respectively,  valued at
approximately $9.0 million and $12.8 million,  respectively.  The purchase price
per  ounce is based on the  daily  Second  London  Gold  Fixing.  For  financial
statement   purposes,   the  consigned  gold  is  not  included  in  Merchandise
inventories  on the  Company's  Consolidated  Balance Sheet and,  therefore,  no
related liability has been recorded. RIHT charges Finlay a daily consignment fee
on the dollar equivalent value of ounces outstanding,  a floating rate which, as
of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, was  approximately  4.5% per annum. In
addition,  Finlay is required to pay an unused line fee of 0.5% if the amount of
gold  consigned has a value equal to or below $10 million.  Included in interest
expense for the year ended February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 are consignment
fees of $189,000 and $638,000, respectively.

     In conjunction with the Gold Consignment Agreement,  Finlay Jewelry granted
RIHT,  subject to the terms of an intercreditor  agreement between RIHT and G.E.
Capital,  a first  priority  perfected  lien on,  and a  security  interest  in,
specified  gold  jewelry  of  participating  vendors  approved  under  the  Gold
Consignment  Agreement  and  certain  cash on  deposit  with  RIHT and a lien on
proceeds and products of such jewelry and cash deposits.

     The Gold  Consignment  Agreement  requires  Finlay  Jewelry to comply  with
certain  covenants,   including   restrictions  on  the  incurrence  of  certain
indebtedness,   the  incurrence  or  creation  of  liens,  engaging  in  certain
transactions  with affiliates and related parties and limitations on the payment
of dividends.  The Gold Consignment  Agreement also contains  various  financial
covenants,  including  fixed  charge  coverage  ratio  requirements  and certain
maximum  debt  limitations.  Finlay  Jewelry was in  compliance  with all of its
financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997.

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

     The Company and Finlay Jewelry are parties to a credit  agreement with G.E.
Capital which provides Finlay with a senior secured  revolving line of credit of
up to $135 million, a portion of which is available to the Company under certain
circumstances.  The Revolving  Credit  Facility  provides Finlay with a facility
maturing on May 26, 1998, for  borrowings  based on an advance rate of (i) up to
85% of  eligible  domestic  accounts  receivable  and (ii) up to 60% of eligible
domestic owned  inventory  after taking into account such reserves or offsets as
G.E. Capital may deem appropriate (the "Borrowing Base").  Eligibility  criteria
are established by G.E. Capital, which retains the right to adjust the Borrowing
Base  in  its  reasonable   judgement  by  revising  standards  of  eligibility,
establishing  reserves  and/or  increasing or  decreasing  from time to time the
advance  rates.  Finlay  Jewelry is  permitted  to use up to $20  million of the
Revolving Credit Facility for the guarantee by G.E. Capital of letters of credit
issued for the account of Finlay  Jewelry by banks  acceptable to G.E.  Capital.
The  outstanding  balance under the Revolving  Credit Facility is required to be
reduced  each  year  to  $10  million  for  a 20  consecutive  day  period,  and
immediately  thereafter  to zero for an  additional  10  consecutive  days  (the
"Balance  Reduction  Requirement").  Funds available under the Revolving  Credit
Facility are utilized for working capital purposes.



                                      F-12
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

     The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  bears  interest  at a rate  equal  to, at
Finlay's  option,  (i) the Index Rate (as defined)  plus 1.0% or (ii) for one or
more  portions of the Revolving  Credit  Facility of $1.0 million or any greater
integral  multiple  thereof,  reserve adjusted LIBOR plus 2.0%.  "Index Rate" is
defined  as the  higher of (i) the  highest  daily  prime or base rate  publicly
announced by any of the four largest member banks of the New York Clearing House
Association and (ii) the latest rate of dealer ninety-day commercial paper as is
customarily  published in the "Money Rates" section of The Wall Street  Journal.
Upon the occurrence  (and during the  continuance)  of an event of default under
the Revolving  Credit  Facility,  interest would accrue at a rate which is 2% in
excess of the rate otherwise applicable, and would be payable upon demand.

     The  Revolving  Credit  Facility is secured by a first  priority  perfected
security interest in all of Finlay Jewelry's (and any subsidiary's)  present and
future  tangible and  intangible  assets,  excluding any of the Company's  lease
agreements which are not assignable without the lessor's consent.

     The Revolving  Credit  Facility  contains  customary  covenants,  including
limitations  on capital  expenditures,  limitations  on  borrowing  transactions
between  Finlay  and its  officers,  directors,  employees  and  affiliates  and
limitations on payments of dividends. In addition, G.E. Capital has the right to
approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) certain private sales of
Common Stock.  The Revolving  Credit  Facility also contains  various  financial
covenants,   including   minimum   earnings  and  fixed  charge  coverage  ratio
requirements and certain maximum debt limitations. Finlay was in compliance with
all of its financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997.

     The credit agreement  provides for an annual agency fee of $275,000 payable
to G.E. Capital.  Furthermore,  a letter of credit fee of 2.25% per annum of the
face amount of letters of credit  guaranteed under the Revolving Credit Facility
and an unused  facility fee equal to 0.5% per annum on the average  unused daily
balance of the Revolving Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears.

     There were no amounts  outstanding  at February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997
under the Revolving Credit Facility.  The maximum amounts  outstanding under the
Revolving  Credit  Facility  during  1994,  1995  and  1996  were  $108,800,000,
$99,100,000 and $114,100,000,  respectively. The average amounts outstanding for
the same periods were  $69,300,000,  $68,400,000 and $75,371,000,  respectively.
The  weighted  average  interest  rates during the period  (calculated  based on
actual  interest  expense divided by the average amount  outstanding  during the
period) were 7.6%, 8.9% and 8.0% for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

     At  February  3, 1996 and  February  1, 1997,  Finlay had letters of credit
outstanding  totalling  $11.0  million and $11.1  million,  respectively,  which
guarantee various trade activities. The contract amount of the letters of credit
approximate their fair value.









                                      F-13

<PAGE>


                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

     Long-term debt consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              February 3,    February 1,
                                                 1996           1997
                                              -----------    -----------
                                                    (in thousands)
<S>                                           <C>            <C>        
Senior Notes (a)............................  $   135,000    $   135,000
Debentures (b)..............................       67,903         76,427
Other.......................................          208              2
                                              -----------    -----------
                                                  203,111        211,429
Less - current portion......................          206              2
                                              -----------    -----------
                                              $   202,905    $   211,427
                                              ===========    ===========
</TABLE>



(a)  On May 26,  1993,  as part of  Finlay's  recapitalization,  Finlay  Jewelry
     issued 105/8% Senior Notes due 2003 with an aggregate  principal  amount of
     $135,000,000.  Interest on the Notes is payable  semi-annually on May 1 and
     November 1 of each year,  and commenced on November 1, 1993.  Except in the
     case of certain equity offerings, the Notes are not redeemable prior to May
     1, 1998. Thereafter,  the Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at
     the option of Finlay,  at  specified  redemption  prices  plus  accrued and
     unpaid interest,  if any, to the date of the redemption.  In the event of a
     Change of Control (as defined in the Notes  indenture),  each holder of the
     Notes will have the right to require Finlay Jewelry to repurchase its Notes
     at a purchase  price equal to 101% of the  principal  amount  thereof  plus
     accrued and unpaid interest  thereon to the repurchase date. The Notes rank
     senior in right of payment to all  subordinated  indebtedness of Finlay and
     pari  passu in right of  payment  with  all  senior  borrowings,  including
     borrowings  under the  Revolving  Credit  Facility.  However,  because  the
     Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of  substantially  all the
     assets of Finlay Jewelry,  the Notes are  structurally  subordinated to the
     borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.  The indenture  relating to
     the Notes  contains  restrictions  relating  to,  among other  things,  the
     payment of  dividends,  the  repurchase  of stock and the making of certain
     other restricted payments, the incurrence of additional  indebtedness,  the
     creation  of  certain  liens,   certain  asset  sales   transactions   with
     subsidiaries and other affiliates and mergers and consolidations.

     The fair value of the Notes at February 1, 1997, determined based on market
     quotes, was $142,425,000.

(b)  On May 26, 1993,  as part of Finlay's  recapitalization,  the Company sold,
     for $55,167,140, an aggregate of 98,000 units consisting of $98,000,000 12%
     Senior  Discount  Debentures  due 2005 and 130,667  shares of Common Stock.
     Based on a fair market value of $7.23 per share on May 26,  1993,  $944,067
     was allocated to Common Stock with a resulting  discount to the Debentures.
     Commencing May 1,  1998,  interest will accrue until maturity.  Interest on
     the  Debentures is payable  semi-annually  on May 1 and  November 1 of each
     year,  commencing  November 1,  1998.  Except in the case of certain equity
     offerings,  the Debentures are not redeemable prior to May 1,  1998. In the
     event of a Change of Control (as defined in the Debenture indenture),  each
     holder of the  Debentures  will have the right to  require  the  Company to
     repurchase  its  Debentures  at a  purchase  price  equal  to  101%  of the
     principal  amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest  thereon to the
     repurchase date. Thereafter, the Debentures will be redeemable, in whole or
     in part, at the option of the Company, at specified  redemption prices plus
     accrued and unpaid



                                      F-14
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

     interest, if any, to the date of redemption. The Debentures rank pari passu
     in right of payment to all senior indebtedness of the Company and senior in
     right of payment  to all  subordinated  indebtedness  of the  Company.  The
     Debentures are secured by a first priority lien on and security interest in
     all of the issued and outstanding stock and intercompany  indebtedness,  if
     any,  of  Finlay  Jewelry.  However,  the  operations  of the  Company  are
     conducted through Finlay Jewelry and,  therefore,  the Company is dependent
     upon the cash flow of Finlay Jewelry to meet its obligations, including its
     obligations  under  the  Debentures.   As  a  result,  the  Debentures  are
     effectively  subordinated to all indebtedness and all other  obligations of
     Finlay  Jewelry.   The  indenture  relating  to  the  Debentures   contains
     restrictions relating to, among other things, the payment of dividends, the
     repurchase  of stock and the making of certain other  restricted  payments,
     the incurrence of additional  indebtedness,  the creation of certain liens,
     certain asset sales transactions with subsidiaries and other affiliates and
     mergers  and  consolidations.  The amount of imputed  interest  recorded in
     1994, 1995 and 1996 was $7,385,000, $7,697,000 and $8,494,000, respectively
     and the amount of discount  amortized  for 1994,  1995 and 1996 amounted to
     $7,000, $12,000 and $30,000, respectively.

     A portion of the  proceeds  from  the  Offering  were  used  to  repurchase
     $6,103,000  accreted  balance  of  the  Debentures  at  a  price  equal  to
     $5,789,000, or approximately 95% of the accreted amount.

     The fair  value of the  Debentures, determined  based on market quotes, was
     $80,364,000 at February 1, 1997.

     Finlay   was in  compliance  with all of  the  provisions of the  Notes and
     Debenture indentures as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997.

     The aggregate  amounts of long-term  debt payable in each of the five years
in the period ending February 2, 2002 and thereafter are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                (in thousands)
                                                --------------
<C>                                             <C>         
1997 ........................................   $          2
1998 ........................................         -
1999 ........................................         -
2000 ........................................         -
2001 ........................................         -
Thereafter ..................................        211,427
                                                -------------
                                                $    211,429
                                                =============
</TABLE>

     Interest expense for 1994, 1995 and 1996 was  $28,514,000,  $29,859,000 and
$31,301,000,  respectively.  Interest  income for the same  periods was $26,000,
$154,000 and $97,000, respectively.

NOTE 5 - SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK

     Concurrently  with the consummation of the  Recapitalization  Transactions,
the Company and Finlay  Jewelry  entered into a stock  purchase  agreement  (the
"1993 Stock Purchase Agreement") with the Lee/Desai Investors, pursuant to which
the  Lee/Desai   Investors  purchased  from  the  Company  the  Lee/Desai  Units
consisting  of an aggregate  of 1,384,259  shares of Common Stock of the Company
and 300,000 shares of



                                      F-15
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5 - SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK (continued)

Series C Preferred Stock. The Common Stock issued to the Lee/Desai  Investors as
part of the Lee/Desai Units constituted 52.6% of the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company on a fully  diluted  basis.  The  aggregate  purchase  price for the
Lee/Desai Units, payable to the Company in cash at the closing, was $30 million,
of which $10 million was  allocated  to the Common  Stock of the Company and $20
million was allocated to the Series C Preferred Stock.  Immediately prior to the
Offering,  as a result of the  Series C  Exchange,  the  holders of the Series C
Preferred Stock exchanged all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock for
shares of Common Stock. In conjunction with the Series C Exchange, a $10,000,000
nonrecurring  noncash charge representing the difference between the liquidation
value and the  carrying  value of the  Series C  Preferred  Stock was  recorded,
decreasing  Net income (loss)  applicable to common shares in 1995.  See Note 1.
Dividends   accrued  in  1994  and  1995  totalled   $3,332,000   and  $717,000,
respectively.

NOTE 6 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     The Company's Long Term Incentive Plan (the  "Incentive  Plan") permits the
Company to grant to  officers  and other key  employees  of the  Company and its
subsidiaries  and  consultants  and  other  persons  who are  deemed  to  render
significant services to the Company or its subsidiaries, as well as directors of
the Company (other than members of the Compensation  Committee),  the following:
(i) stock options,  (ii) stock appreciation rights in tandem with stock options,
(iii) limited   rights  in  tandem  with  stock  options,   (iv) restricted   or
nonrestricted share awards, (v) performance units or (vi) any combination of the
foregoing.  Under the Incentive  Plan, the Company may grant stock options which
are either  incentive  stock options  within the meaning of  Section 422  of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  or non-incentive  stock
options.  An aggregate of 663,486 shares of Common Stock of the Company has been
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan.

     The Company has adopted  the  disclosure-only  provisions  of SFAS No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock- Based  Compensation,"  which became effective in 1996. As
permitted by the  Statement,  the Company has elected to continue to account for
stock-based  compensation  using the  intrinsic  value method.  Accordingly,  no
compensation expense has been recognized for its stock-based compensation plans.
Had the fair value  method of  accounting  been applied to the  Company's  stock
option plans,  which requires  recognition of compensation cost ratably over the
vesting  period of the stock  options,  net income  would  have been  reduced by
$228,000, or $0.03 per share, in 1995 and $219,000, or $0.03 per share, in 1996.
This pro forma impact only reflects  options granted since the beginning of 1995
and therefore the resulting  compensation cost may not be representative of that
to be expected in future years.

     The fair value of options  granted in 1995 and 1996 was estimated using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the weighted average market price at
the grant date of $13.67 in 1995 and $13.56 in 1996 and the  following  weighted
average  assumptions:  risk free  interest  rate of 6.89% and 6.67% for 1995 and
1996,  respectively,  expected  life of  seven  years  for  1995  and  1996  and
volatility  of 35.10%  for 1995 and 1996.  The  weighted  average  fair value of
options granted in 1995 and 1996 was $7.02 and $6.88, respectively.






                                      F-16
<PAGE>


                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued)

     The  following  summarizes  the  transactions  pursuant  to  the  Company's
Incentive Plan for 1994, 1995 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          1994                              1995                                 1996
                             -------------------------------    -----------------------------    ---------------------------------
                               Number of         Wtd. Avg.       Number of        Wtd. Avg.         Number of          Wtd. Avg.
                                Options          Ex. Price        Options         Ex. Price          Options           Ex. Price
                             -------------      ------------    ------------     ------------    ---------------      ------------
Outstanding at beginning
<S>                              <C>            <C>                <C>           <C>                   <C>            <C>       
     of year...............      365,323        $     7.87         396,821       $     9.11            545,834        $    11.61
Granted....................       72,262             14.29         264,505            13.67             21,333             13.56
Exercised..................      -                  -              (41,284)            7.23           (27,826)              7.23
Forfeited..................      (40,764)             7.23         (74,208)            8.00           (15,574)             11.45
                             -------------      ------------    ------------     ------------    ---------------      ------------
Outstanding at end of year       396,821              9.11         545,834            11.61            523,767             11.93
                             =============      ============    ============     ============    ===============      ============ 
Exercisable at end of year        57,439        $     8.04         113,970       $     9.73            207,122        $    10.94
</TABLE>


     The options  outstanding  at February 1, 1997 have exercise  prices between
$7.23 and  $18.06,  with a  weighted  average  exercise  price of  $11.93  and a
weighted average  remaining  contractual life of 7.61 years.  Options  generally
vest in five years and expire in ten years from date of grant.

     Upon the  commencement of his  employment,  a senior officer of the Company
purchased 138,525 shares of Common Stock (the "Purchased Shares"), at a price of
$7.23 per share.  The aggregate  purchase  price of these shares was paid in the
form of a note  issued to the Company in the amount of  $1,001,538.  The note is
secured by the Purchased  Shares and certain proceeds from sale of the Purchased
Shares or any  distribution  paid on or with  respect to the  Purchased  Shares.
Interest  accrues on the unpaid balance of the note at a rate equal to 7.92% per
annum,  compounded  annually.  In the event of termination  of  employment,  the
Purchased  Shares  (together with vested options and shares issued upon exercise
of vested options ("Option  Shares")) are subject to certain call rights and the
Option Shares are additionally  subject to certain put rights.  In the event the
Company does not  exercise  its call rights,  the rights may be exercised by the
Lee  Investors  and the  Desai  Investors,  pro rata  based on their  respective
ownership of Common Stock. The Purchased Shares and Option Shares are subject to
certain  restrictions  on  transfer.  As a result of the terms of the note,  the
amount of the note is reflected as a reduction to equity and is reflected in the
Company's  Consolidated  Balance Sheets as Note  receivable from stock sale. The
Company  recorded  $650,000 of  compensation  expense in 1994  representing  the
excess of the fair market value over the purchase price of these shares.

     In connection with and prior to the Offering and the related  transactions,
the Board of  Directors  and  shareholders  approved  a change in the  Company's
capital stock to authorize 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share. On March 7, 1995, the Company effected a two-for-three  stock combination
of its  issued  and  outstanding  Common  Stock  (the  "Reverse  Stock  Split").
Stockholders'  equity has been  retroactively  restated to reflect the impact of
the Reverse Stock Split.

NOTE 7 - LEASE AGREEMENTS

     Finlay conducts  substantially all of its operations as leased  departments
in department  stores.  All of these leases, as well as rentals for office space
and equipment,  are accounted for as operating  leases. A substantial  number of
such operating leases expire on various dates through 2008.




                                      F-17
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 7 - LEASE AGREEMENTS (continued)

     Substantially  all of the leases  provide  that the title to certain  fixed
assets of Finlay transfers upon termination of the leases,  and that Finlay will
receive  the  undepreciated  value of such fixed  assets  from the lessor in the
event such transfers  occur. The values of such fixed assets are recorded at the
inception  of the  lease  arrangement  and  are  reflected  in the  accompanying
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     In many cases,  Finlay is subject to limitations under its lease agreements
with host department stores which prohibit Finlay from operating departments for
other store groups within a certain geographical radius of the host store.

     The store leases  provide for the payment of fees based on sales,  plus, in
some instances,  installment payments for fixed assets. Lease expense,  included
in Selling, general and administrative expenses, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Year Ended
                                  -------------------------------------------
                                   January 28,     February 3,    February 1,
                                      1995            1996           1997
                                  ------------    ------------   ------------
<S>                               <C>             <C>            <C>       
Minimum fees.................     $     8,606     $    10,555    $    6,188
Contingent fees..............          80,211          94,679       103,319
                                  ------------    ------------   ------------
     Total    ...............     $    88,817     $   105,234    $  109,507
                                  ============    ============   ============
</TABLE>
                                      


 
     Future  minimum  payments  under  noncancellable  operating  leases  having
initial or  remaining  noncancellable  lease  terms in excess of one year are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               (in thousands)
                                               --------------
<S>  <C>                                       <C>         
     1997 ...................................  $      9,732
     1998 ...................................         3,876
     1999 ...................................         3,368
     2000 ...................................         2,978
     2001 ...................................         2,417
     Thereafter..............................        13,089
                                               --------------
Total minimum payments required..............  $     35,460
                                               ==============                                             
</TABLE>
                                                             

     Minimum  payments  shown  above have not been  reduced by minimum  sublease
payments of $260,000 due in the future under noncancellable subleases.

NOTE 8 - PENSION PLANS

     Finlay  maintains  a defined  contribution  profit-sharing  plan to provide
retirement  benefits for all personnel.  This plan provides for company matching
contributions of $.25 for each $1.00 of employee  contribution,  up to 5% of the
employee's salary, as limited by the Code.  Additionally,  Finlay contributes 2%
of the employees' earnings annually, as limited by the Code. Vesting in Finlay's
contributions begins upon completion of three years of employment and accrues at
the rate of 20% per year.

     Finlay also provides fixed retirement benefits for certain former employees
not covered by existing pension plans. The estimated liability for such benefits
has  been  accrued  for  in  these  financial  statements  and is  reflected  as
components of Other accrued liabilities and Other non-current liabilities.



                                      F-18

<PAGE>


                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8 - PENSION PLANS (continued)

     The cost of the  defined  contribution  plan  maintained  by Finlay and the
retirement  benefits  for  certain  former  employees   aggregated   $1,603,000,
$1,728,000 and $1,753,000 for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES

     For income tax reporting purposes,  the Company has an October 31 year end.
The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its wholly owned
subsidiary, Finlay Jewelry and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

     Deferred  income  taxes  at  year  end  reflect  the  impact  of  temporary
differences  between  amounts of assets and  liabilities  for  financial and tax
reporting purposes.

     Temporary  differences and  carryforwards  which give rise to a significant
portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities at year end are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           Year Ended
                                                                                ----------------------------
                                                                                 February 3,     February 1,
                                                                                    1996           1997
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                                                                                     (in thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>        
     Uniform inventory capitalization.......................................    $     3,154     $     3,462
     Expenses not currently deductible......................................          4,398           4,074
     ITC carryover..........................................................          1,100           1,100
     AMT credit.............................................................            566             566
     Deferred financing costs-current.......................................            200             203
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                                                                                      9,418           9,405
     Valuation allowance....................................................          1,200           1,200
                                                                                ------------    ------------
              Total current.................................................          8,218           8,205
                                                                                ------------    ------------
     Imputed interest on Debentures.........................................          6,433           9,407
     Deferred financing costs-non-current...................................            606             371
                                                                                ------------    ------------
              Total non-current.............................................          7,039           9,778
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                   Total deferred tax assets................................         15,257          17,983
                                                                                ------------    ------------

Deferred Tax Liabilities
     LIFO inventory valuation...............................................          9,054           9,014
                                                                                ------------    ------------
              Total current.................................................          9,054           9,014
                                                                                ------------    ------------
     Depreciation...........................................................          6,050           7,029
                                                                                ------------    ------------
              Total non-current.............................................          6,050           7,029
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                   Total deferred tax liabilities...........................         15,104          16,043
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                       Net deferred income tax assets ......................    $       153     $     1,940
                                                                                ============    ============
         
              Net current deferred income tax liabilities...................    $      (836)    $      (809)
              Net non-current deferred income tax assets....................            989           2,749
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                     Net deferred income tax assets.........................    $       153     $     1,940
                                                                                ============    ============
</TABLE>

                                      F-19

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES (continued)

     The components of income tax expense are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                  January 28,       February 3,     February 1,
                                                                     1995              1996            1997
                                                                 ------------      ------------     ------------ 
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>              <C>                
Current domestic taxes................................           $     9,009       $   10,174       $   11,777         
Current foreign taxes.................................                   449            1,238            1,045
Deferred taxes........................................                (4,178)          (2,069)          (1,787)
                                                                 ------------      ------------     ------------
                                                                 $     5,280       $    9,343       $   11,035         
                                                                 ============      ============     ============
</TABLE>

     A  reconciliation  of the income tax  provision  computed by  applying  the
federal statutory rate to Income (loss) before income taxes to the Provision for
income taxes on the  accompanying  Consolidated  Statements  of Operations is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                                                                  January 28,       February 3,     February 1,
                                                                     1995              1996            1997
                                                                 ------------      ------------     ------------
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>              <C>       
Federal Statutory Provision.............................         $    2,804        $    8,258       $    7,977
Foreign taxes...........................................                449             1,238            1,045
State tax, net of federal benefit.......................              1,232             1,688            1,857
Non-deductible amortization.............................              1,037             1,037            1,037
Life insurance proceeds.................................              -                (1,750)          -
Benefit of foreign tax credit...........................               (449)           (1,238)          (1,045)
Other...................................................                207               110              164
                                                                 ------------      ------------    -------------
Provision for income taxes..............................         $    5,280        $    9,343      $    11,035
                                                                 ============      ============    =============   
</TABLE>

     Section  382 of the  Code  restricts  utilization  of  net  operating  loss
carryforwards ("NOLs") after an ownership change exceeding 50%. Such utilization
is  generally  restricted  to an annual  limit  computed by applying the federal
long-term  tax exempt rate to the fair market  value of the stock of the company
immediately  prior  to the time of the  ownership  change.  As a  result  of the
Recapitalization  Transactions,  a change in ownership of the Company  exceeding
50% occurred within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code. Similar restrictions
will apply to other carryforwards.  Consequently, there is a material limitation
on the  annual  utilization  of the  Company's  net  operating  loss  and  other
carryforwards  which  requires a  deferral  or loss of the  utilization  of such
carryforwards.  The IRS permits  taxpayers who obtain a private letter ruling to
close their books at the change of ownership  date and to offset  pre-Change  of
Control  income by the NOL  available  to that  year,  regardless  of the annual
limitation.  The Company has received such a ruling and, as a result, at October
31,  1996,  has a NOL  carryforward  for tax  purposes of  $14,000,000  which is
subject  to an annual  limit of  approximately  $2,000,000  per  year,  of which
$10,000,000 expires in 2004 and $4,000,000 expires in 2005. At October 31, 1996,
the  Company had  Investment  Tax Credit  ("ITC")  carryovers  of  approximately
$1,100,000,  of which $150,000  expires in 1997,  $649,000 in 1998,  $264,000 in
1999 and $37,000 in 2000. At October 31, 1996, the Company also had  Alternative
Minimum Tax Credit ("AMT") carryovers of $566,000 which may be used indefinitely
to reduce federal income taxes.





                                      F-20

<PAGE>


                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES (continued)

     SFAS No. 109 "Accounting  for Income Taxes,"  requires that the tax benefit
of such  NOLs  and tax  credits  be  recorded  as an asset  to the  extent  that
management  assesses  the  utilization  to be "more  likely  than  not".  As the
accompanying  Consolidated Financial Statements include profits earned after the
tax year end at October 31, (the profit of the Christmas  selling  season),  for
financial  reporting  purposes only, the NOL  carryforward  has been absorbed in
full and no NOL carryfoward exists as of February 1, 1997. Management determined
at February 1, 1997, that based upon the Company's history of operating earnings
and its  expectations  for the future,  no change to the valuation  allowance is
warranted.

NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     The Company,  from time to time, is involved in litigation  concerning  its
business  affairs.  Management  believes  that  the  resolution  of all  pending
litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the financial statements.

     The Company has employment agreements with two senior members of management
which provide for minimum salary levels as well as incentive  compensation based
on meeting specific financial goals. Such agreements have remaining terms of one
year and have a remaining aggregate minimum value of approximately $1,400,000 as
of February 1, 1997.

     The credit agreement with G.E. Capital, the Gold Consignment Agreement with
RIHT and the indenture relating to the Notes restrict  distributions from Finlay
Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay  Jewelry's net sales for the preceding
fiscal year. During 1996, dividends of $1,636,000 were declared and $818,000 was
distributed to the Company.  During 1995,  dividends of $1,380,000 were declared
and  $1,810,000  was  distributed  to the  Company.  During  1994,  dividends of
$984,000 were declared and $738,000 was distributed to the Company.

     The Company's concentration of credit risk consists principally of accounts
receivable.   The  Company   believes  that  the  risk   associated  with  these
receivables, other than those from department store groups indicated in the last
paragraph of Note 2,  would not have a material  adverse effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.

     The Company is committed to expend a total of approximately $10,000,000 for
the completion of a 75,000 square foot  distribution  and warehouse  facility in
Orange, Connecticut, of which approximately half has been disbursed during 1996.
Expenditures  included  the purchase of machinery  and  equipment,  construction
costs and the purchase and installation of computer systems.










                                      F-21

<PAGE>



                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

     The following table summarizes the quarterly  financial data for 1994, 1995
and 1996 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Year Ended January 28, 1995
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------
                                                        First         Second        Third      Fourth
                                                       Quarter        Quarter      Quarter    Quarter(c)
                                                      ---------     -----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>       
Sales.....................................            $ 93,858      $  109,209   $ 109,657   $  239,366
Gross margin..............................              49,087          56,973      57,697      127,070
Net income (loss).........................              (5,661)         (3,344)     (3,376)      15,112
Net income (loss) per share                                 
   applicable to common shares (a)........               (2.87)          (1.85)      (1.87)        6.26
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Year Ended February 3, 1996
                                                      ---------------------------------------------------
                                                         First        Second       Third       Fourth
                                                       Quarter(b)    Quarter(c)   Quarter      Quarter
                                                      -----------   -----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>       
Sales.....................................            $  112,716    $  135,428   $ 132,058   $  274,289
Gross margin..............................                58,875        70,327      68,773      142,487
Net income (loss).........................                (5,381)        3,171      (2,760)      19,221
Net income (loss) per share                                (4.36)         0.42       (0.37)        2.55
   applicable to common shares (a)........
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Year Ended February 1, 1997
                                                     ----------------------------------------------------
                                                        First         Second         Third      Fourth
                                                       Quarter        Quarter       Quarter     Quarter
                                                     ------------   -----------  ----------  ------------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>       
Sales.....................................           $   130,719    $  137,188   $ 136,140   $  281,227
Gross margin..............................                66,681        71,343      70,360      146,590
Net income (loss).........................                (4,400)       (1,567)     (2,637)      20,361
Net income (loss) per share                                (0.59)        (0.21)      (0.35)        2.67
   applicable to common shares (a)........
</TABLE>
- ---------------------------                               
(a)  Net income (loss) per share for each quarter is computed as if each quarter
     were a discrete period.  As such, the total of the four quarters Net income
     (loss) per share does not necessarily equal the net income (loss) per share
     for the year.

(b)  The first quarter of 1995 includes a  $10,000,000  non-recurring,  non-cash
     charge relating to the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock. See Note
     5.

(c)  The fourth  quarter of 1994 includes  $5,144,000,  on a pre-tax  basis,  of
     expenses related to the management  transition and consulting expense.  The
     second  quarter  of  1995  includes  proceeds  of  $5,000,000  from  a life
     insurance policy maintained on a senior executive.






                                      F-22

<PAGE>


                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 12 - ACQUISITIONS

     On October 28, 1994,  Finlay Jewelry  completed the  acquisition of Societe
Nouvelle  d'Achat  de  Bijouterie  -  S.O.N.A.B.  ("Sonab"),  a  French  company
operating 95 leased jewelry departments and three free standing  locations,  all
in France from Galeries  Lafayette.  The leased fine jewelry departments operate
in department stores such as Galeries Lafayette, Nouvelles Galeries and Bazar De
L'Hotel de Ville.  Simultaneously  with the acquisition of Sonab,  G.E.  Capital
agreed to provide additional  financing by increasing  Finlay's Revolving Credit
Facility by $25,000,000, from $110,000,000 to $135,000,000.  The acquisition was
recorded under the purchase method of accounting. The Sonab acquisition required
approximately  $11,000,000  primarily  for  the  purpose  of  repaying  existing
intercompany loans to Galeries Lafayette,  as well as an outstanding gold credit
line. Finlay Jewelry paid approximately  $356,000 for the common stock of Sonab.
Goodwill associated with this transaction was not significant.

     The  following   summarized,   unaudited  pro  forma  combined  results  of
operations  for the years ended  January 29, 1994 and January 28, 1995 have been
prepared  assuming the  acquisition  of Sonab  occurred at the  beginning of the
respective  periods.  The pro forma  information  is provided for  informational
purposes only. It is based on historical  information  and does not  necessarily
reflect  the  actual  results  that would have  occurred  nor is it  necessarily
indicative of future results of operations of the combined  company  (dollars in
thousands, except per share data):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    Year Ended
                                      ---------------------------------
                                       January 29,        January 28, 
                                          1994               1995
                                      -------------      -------------
<S>                                   <C>                <C>        
Sales............................     $   530,676        $   572,965
Net income (loss)................          (9,287)             3,356
Net income (loss) per share......           (6.39)              0.01
</TABLE>


NOTE 13 - UNAUDITED PRO FORMA AND SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     The following  table  presents the  calculation  of pro forma  earnings per
share data for the fiscal years ended January 28, 1995 and February 3, 1996. The
pro forma  consolidated  financial  information gives effect to the Offering and
related  transactions as if such  transactions  had occurred at the beginning of
the  respective  periods.  The  pro  forma  consolidated  financial  information
excludes for 1994, $5.1 million of management  transition and consulting expense
and for 1995  proceeds  of $5.0  million  from a life  insurance  policy  Finlay
maintained on a senior executive. Net income (loss) was derived by adjusting the
historical  amounts to reflect  interest  expense on the adjusted debt structure
and the elimination of the management  transition and consulting expense as well
as the life insurance proceeds and the related income tax effects thereon.










                                      F-23

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 13 - UNAUDITED PRO FORMA AND SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                (continued)


 
In thousands, except share and
per share amounts
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                -------------------------------
                                                                                 January 28,       February 3, 
                                                                                    1995              1996
                                                                                -------------     -------------
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares per                                                  
<S>                                                                             <C>                <C>       
     Consolidated Statements of Operations.......................               $      (601)       $    3,534
Add:     Dividends and amortization of discount on                                                      
         Preferred Stock and accretion on conversion of                                                 
         Preferred Stock.........................................                     3,332            10,717
Add:     Interest expense reduction, net of tax, as a result                                            
         of the adjusted debt structure..........................                     1,753               474
Add:     Management transition and consulting expense,                                                  
         net of tax..............................................                     3,009             -
Less:    Eliminate life insurance proceeds.......................                    -                 (5,000)
                                                                                -------------     -------------
Pro forma net income (loss)......................................               $     7,493       $     9,725
                                                                                =============     =============

Weighted average shares:
Weighted average shares - Common (1).............................                 2,256,107         2,294,514
Common shares - Offering (2).....................................                 2,500,000         2,500,000
Common shares - Series C Exchange (3)............................                 2,530,583         2,581,784
Common stock equivalent pursuant to APB 15 (4)...................                   215,667           181,163
                                                                                -------------     -------------
Total weighted average shares....................................                 7,502,357         7,557,461
                                                                                =============     =============
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares..........               $      1.00       $      1.29
                                                                                =============     =============
</TABLE>

- --------------------------                         
(1)  The weighted  average shares  outstanding are based on the number of shares
     of Common Stock issued and outstanding  after  reflecting the Reverse Stock
     Split as if such split occurred on January 30, 1994.
(2)  Shares of Common Stock sold in connection with the Offering.
(3)  Shares of Common Stock issued in connection with the Series C Exchange.
(4)  In accordance  with APB Opinion No. 15, the common stock  equivalents  were
     calculated by applying the treasury  stock method,  and limiting the number
     of shares of Common Stock  obtainable upon exercise of outstanding  options
     and warrants in the aggregate to 20% of the number of shares outstanding at
     the end of the period for which the computation is being made.

     Excluding the effect of the reduction in the Revolving  Credit Facility and
the interest rate reduction on the Revolving  Credit  Facility and including the
effect of the management transition and consulting expense and the proceeds from
life insurance,  Net income (loss) per share  applicable to common shares,  on a
supplemental  basis,  for  1994  and 1995  would  have  been  $0.43  and  $1.95,
respectively.




                                      F-24




                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




Report of Independent Public Accountants....................................F-2

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended 
 January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997....................F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 3, 1996 and 
 February 1, 1997...........................................................F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the 
 years ended January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997........F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended 
 January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997....................F-6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................F-7





                                       F-1
<PAGE>


                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



To the Board of Directors of Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation:

     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Finlay Fine
Jewelry Corporation (a Delaware  corporation) and subsidiaries as of February 3,
1996  and  February  1,  1997,  and  the  related  consolidated   statements  of
operations,  changes in  stockholder's  equity and cash flows for the  fifty-two
weeks ended January 28, 1995, the  fifty-three  weeks ended February 3, 1996 and
the fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 1997.  These financial  statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

     We conducted  our audits in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion,  the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all  material  respects,  the  financial  position  of  Finlay  Fine  Jewelry
Corporation  and  subsidiaries  as of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and
the results of their  operations  and their cash flows for the  fifty-two  weeks
ended January 28, 1995,  the  fifty-three  weeks ended  February 3, 1996 and the
fifty-two  weeks ended February 1, 1997 in conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.

 


                                                       ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
New York, New York
March 18, 1997





                                       F-2

<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Year Ended
                                                     -----------------------------------------
                                                      January 28,   February 3,   February 1, 
                                                         1995          1996          1997
                                                     ------------  ------------  -------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>         
Sales.............................................   $   552,090   $   654,491   $    685,274
Cost of sales.....................................       261,263      314,029         330,300
                                                     ------------  ------------  -------------
Gross margin.....................................        290,827       340,462        354,974
Selling, general and administrative expenses......       239,281       281,693        289,145
Depreciation and amortization.....................         8,910         9,659         10,840
Management transition and consulting expense......         5,144       -              -
                                                     ------------  ------------  -------------
   Income (loss) from operations..................        37,492        49,110         54,989
Proceeds from life insurance......................       -              (5,000)       -
Interest expense, net.............................        20,927        21,844         22,526
                                                     ------------  ------------  -------------
   Income (loss) before income taxes..............        16,565        32,266         32,463
Provision (credit) for income taxes...............         8,349        12,527         14,501
                                                     ------------  ------------  -------------
Net income (loss)................................    $     8,216   $    19,739   $     17,962 
                                                     ============  ============  =============
</TABLE>
                                                                        
 
















     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       F-3

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (in thousands, except share and per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    February 3,    February 1,
                                                                       1996           1997
                                                                   -------------  -------------
                                     ASSETS
Current assets
<S>                                                                <C>            <C>        
   Cash and cash equivalents...................................    $    25,737    $    20,392
   Accounts receivable - department stores.....................         18,889         15,362
   Other receivables...........................................          2,860          4,338
   Merchandise inventories.....................................        195,926        222,445
   Prepaid expenses and other..................................          1,521          1,438
                                                                   -------------  -------------
   Total current assets........................................        244,933        263,975
                                                                   -------------  -------------
Fixed assets
   Equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements..............         65,206         73,223
   Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization............         22,735         21,423
                                                                   -------------  -------------
      Fixed assets, net........................................         42,471         51,800
                                                                   -------------  -------------
Deferred charges and other assets..............................          7,206          5,770
Goodwill.......................................................         98,447         95,263
                                                                   -------------  -------------
      Total assets.............................................    $   393,057    $   416,808
                                                                   =============  =============
                                                        
               LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                                                                                           
Current liabilities                                                                        
   Current portion of long-term debt...........................    $       206    $         2
   Accounts payable - trade....................................        125,817        133,252
   Accrued liabilities:
      Accrued salaries and benefits............................         14,100         15,061
      Accrued miscellaneous taxes..............................          4,160          4,147
      Accrued insurance........................................          1,115            762
      Accrued interest.........................................          3,703          3,833
      Accrued management transition and consulting.............          2,418          1,787
      Other....................................................         15,495         14,665
   Income taxes payable........................................         11,779         13,970
   Deferred income taxes.......................................            831            804
                                                                   -------------  -------------
        Total current liabilities..............................        179,624        188,283
Long-term debt.................................................        135,002        135,000
Other non-current liabilities..................................          6,044          7,115
                                                                   -------------  -------------
        Total liabilities......................................        320,670        330,398
                                                                   -------------  -------------

Stockholder's equity
   Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 
      5,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares........        -              -
   Additional paid-in capital..................................         69,241         69,241
   Distributions to investor group in excess  
      of carryover basis.......................................        (24,390)       (24,390)
   Retained earnings...........................................         28,283         44,609
   Foreign currency translation adjustment.....................           (747)        (3,050)
                                                                   -------------  -------------
                                                                        72,387         86,410
                                                                   -------------  -------------
        Total liabilities and stockholder's equity.............    $   393,057    $   416,808
                                                                   =============  =============
</TABLE>


     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       F-4
<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                        (in thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                      
                                                                                 Distributions                                
                                                Common Stock                      to investor               Foreign   
                                              --------------------  Additional     group in                 Currency      Total
                                                 Number              Paid-in      excess of      Retained  Translation Stockholder's
                                               of shares   Amount    Capital    carryover basis  Earnings   Adjustment    Equity    
                                              -----------  -------  ----------  ---------------  --------- ----------- -------------
<S>              <C> <C>                          <C>      <C>      <C>         <C>              <C>       <C>         <C>        
Balance, January 29, 1994.................        1,000    $  -     $  42,506   $    (24,390)    $  2,692  $    -      $    20,808
   Net income (loss)......................        -           -         -              -            8,216       -            8,216
   Dividends on Common Stock..............        -           -         -              -             (984)      -             (984)
   Foreign currency translation                                                                                                     
      adjustment..........................        -           -         -              -             -         (334)          (334)
                                              -----------  -------  ----------  ---------------  --------- ----------- -------------
Balance, January 28, 1995.................       1,000        -        42,506        (24,390)       9,924      (334)        27,706
   Net income (loss)......................        -           -         -              -           19,739       -           19,739
   Dividends on Common Stock..............        -           -         -              -           (1,380)      -           (1,380)
   Foreign currency translation                                                                                                     
      adjustment..........................        -           -         -              -             -         (413)          (413)
   Capital contribution from parent.......        -           -        26,735          -             -          -           26,735
                                              ----------   -------  ----------  ---------------  --------- ----------- -------------
Balance, February 3, 1996.................       1,000        -        69,241        (24,390)      28,283      (747)        72,387
   Net income (loss)......................        -           -         -              -           17,962       -           17,962
   Dividends on Common Stock..............        -           -         -              -           (1,636)      -           (1,636)
   Foreign currency translation                                                                                                     
      adjustment..........................        -           -         -              -             -       (2,303)        (2,303)
                                              ----------   -------  ----------  ---------------  --------- ----------- -------------
Balance, February 1, 1997.................       1,000     $  -     $  69,241   $    (24,390)    $ 44,609  $ (3,050)   $    86,410
                                              ==========   =======  ==========  ===============  ========= =========== =============
</TABLE>













     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       F-5

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                Year Ended
                                                                                 -----------------------------------------
                                                                                  January 28,   February 3,   February 1,
                                                                                     1995          1996          1997
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                                                              <C>           <C>           <C>        
   Net income (loss)............................................................ $     8,216   $    19,739   $    17,962
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from                                                    
      (used in) operating activities:                                                                                      
   Depreciation and amortization................................................       9,755        10,587        11,871
   Other, net...................................................................       1,409           797         1,845
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase                                             
      of Sonab (Note 11):                                                                                                  
      (Increase) decrease in accounts and other receivables.....................      (3,642)       (9,856)        1,560
      Increase in merchandise inventories.......................................     (29,412)      (35,601)      (28,380)
      (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other.........................          57          (262)           66
      Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities......................      41,504        10,515         9,300
      Decrease in deferred income taxes.........................................      (2,376)         (539)          (27)
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------     
   NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) OPERATING                                               
                          
           ACTIVITIES...........................................................      25,511        (4,620)       14,197
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
   Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements..................     (11,228)      (14,933)      (17,533)
   Payment for puchase of Sonab, net of cash acquired...........................        (276)       -             -
   Other, net...................................................................        (874)       (2,224)         (839)
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
        NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES...................................      (12,378)     (17,157)      (18,372)
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
   Proceeds from revolving credit facility......................................      392,911      439,720       442,947
   Principal payments on revolving credit facility..............................     (392,911)    (439,720)     (442,947)
   Repayment of Sonab loans.....................................................       (9,418)       -            -
   Capital contribution from parent.............................................       -            26,735        -
   Payment of dividends.........................................................       (1,038)      (1,810)         (818)
   Other, net...................................................................       (1,103)        (372)         (206)
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
        NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN)                                                                                   
           FINANCING ACTIVITIES.................................................      (11,559)      24,553        (1,024)
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
       EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH.................................            (5)        (221)         (146)
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
        INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS........................        1,569        2,555        (5,345)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD..................................       21,613       23,182        25,737
                                                                                 ------------- ------------- -------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD........................................ $     23,182  $    25,737   $    20,392
                                                                                 ============= ============= =============
</TABLE>








     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.



                                       F-6
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 -  ORGANIZATION OF FINLAY JEWELRY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
              RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS

     Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation ("Finlay Jewelry"), a Delaware corporation,
is  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Finlay  Enterprises,  Inc.  (the  "Holding
Company"). References to "Finlay" mean collectively, the Holding Company, Finlay
Jewelry and all  predecessor  businesses.  Finlay is a retailer of fine  jewelry
products and primarily  operates  leased fine jewelry  departments in department
stores throughout the United States and France. Finlay also operates leased fine
jewelry departments in the United Kingdom and Germany.  All references herein to
leased departments refer to departments  operated pursuant to license agreements
or other arrangements with host department stores.

Initial Public Offering and Related Transactions

     On April 6, 1995, the Holding Company  completed an initial public offering
(the  "Offering")  of 2,500,000  shares of its Common Stock at a price of $14.00
per share.  An additional  115,000  shares were sold by  non-management  selling
stockholders.  Net proceeds from the Offering after  deducting the  underwriting
discount of  $2,300,000  and expenses of  approximately  $2,500,000  incurred in
connection with the Offering,  were  $30,200,000.  The net proceeds were used to
repurchase  $6,103,000  accreted  balance of the  Holding  Company's  12% Senior
Discount  Debentures due 2005 (the "Debentures") at a price equal to $5,789,000,
or  approximately  95% of the accreted  amount.  The balance of the net proceeds
were used to reduce a portion of the  outstanding  indebtedness  under  Finlay's
$135,000,000  Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving  Credit  Facility") with
General Electric Capital Corporation ("G.E.  Capital"),  which was accounted for
as a capital contribution to Finlay Jewelry.

     Immediately  prior to the  completion of the  Offering,  the holders of the
Holding  Company's 10% Series C Cumulative  Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred
Stock")  exchanged all  outstanding  shares of Series C Preferred Stock with the
Holding Company for 2,581,784 shares of the Holding  Company's Common Stock (the
"Series C  Exchange").  For purposes of the Series C Exchange,  the  outstanding
Series C Preferred Stock was (i) valued at its liquidation  value of $30,000,000
plus  $6,145,000  of accrued  dividends  through the date of  completion  of the
Series C Exchange,  paid in kind at a quarterly  rate of 2.5% and (ii) exchanged
for Common Stock at the initial public offering price of $14.00 per share.

     G.E.  Capital  agreed to reduce the interest rate on the  Revolving  Credit
Facility by 0.5% concurrent with the Offering.  Finlay Jewelry and G.E.  Capital
amended  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  in March 1995  pursuant  to which the
Holding  Company  became a co-obligor  with Finlay  Jewelry  under the Revolving
Credit Facility with respect to a portion of the borrowings thereunder.

The 1993 Recapitalization

     In May 1993,  an  affiliate  of Thomas H. Lee  Company  (together  with its
affiliated  transferees,  the "Lee Investors") and partnerships managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated (collectively, the "Desai Investors"),  acquired
36.8% and 24.5%,  respectively,  of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of the
Holding  Company in a series of  transactions  which  recapitalized  the Holding
Company (the  "Recapitalization  Transactions").  Following the Recapitalization
Transactions, management maintained a substantial equity interest in the Holding
Company.



                                       F-7

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 -  ORGANIZATION OF FINLAY JEWELRY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
                RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS (continued)

     The  Recapitalization  Transactions  included  an  investment  by  the  Lee
Investors  (the  "Lee   Investment")   and  the  Desai   Investors  (the  "Desai
Investment")  in units  consisting  of the Series C  Preferred  Stock and Common
Stock.  Concurrently,  certain other existing classes of preferred stock and all
outstanding  warrants to  purchase  Common  Stock were  redeemed.  These  equity
related  transactions  resulted  in the Lee  Investors  and the Desai  Investors
obtaining 52.6% beneficial ownership of the Holding Company's outstanding Common
Stock.

     The Recapitalization  Transactions also included the public issuance by the
Holding Company of units  consisting of Debentures and Common Stock,  the public
issuance by Finlay  Jewelry of the 105/8 Senior Notes due 2003 (the "Notes") and
the  refinancing of Finlay's  outstanding  term loans (the "WCC Term Loans") and
revolving  indebtedness  (the "WCC Revolving  Credit  Facility" and collectively
with the WCC Term Loans, the "WCC Loans") with Westinghouse  Credit  Corporation
("WCC").  The WCC  Revolving  Credit  Facility  was replaced by the $110 million
Revolving Credit Facility with G.E.  Capital.  The Revolving Credit Facility was
amended at the time of the Sonab  acquisition  to, among other things,  increase
the amount available thereunder to $135 million. See Notes 4 and 11.

Organization and the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization

     Finlay Jewelry was initially  incorporated on August 2, 1985 as SL Holdings
Corporation  ("SL  Holdings").  The  Holding  Company,  a  Delaware  corporation
incorporated  on  November 22,  1988,  was  organized  by certain  officers  and
directors (the "Investor Group") of SL Holdings to acquire certain operations of
SL  Holdings.   In  connection   with  the   reorganization   ("1988   Leveraged
Recapitalization"), which resulted in the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Holding  Company  into SL Holdings,  SL Holdings  changed its name to Finlay
Fine Jewelry  Corporation  and became a wholly owned  subsidiary  of the Holding
Company.

     The 1988 Leveraged  Recapitalization was accounted for as a purchase in the
accompanying financial statements. Accordingly, the excess of the purchase price
over the net assets of Finlay  Jewelry  has been  assigned  to  goodwill.  Since
certain members of the Investor Group  beneficially  owned shares of SL Holdings
before  the 1988  Leveraged  Recapitalization  and owned  shares of the  Holding
Company  after  the 1988  Leveraged  Recapitalization,  the  purchase  method of
accounting  does  not  apply  to  their  ownership   interest  in  SL  Holdings.
Accordingly,  for accounting  purposes,  stockholder's equity reflects the total
shares of SL Holdings owned by the Investor Group at their  respective  adjusted
historical costs,  reduced by the consideration  paid for the SL Holdings shares
owned by the  Investor  Group.  This  resulted in a reduction  in  stockholder's
equity of  $24,390,000  and is reflected as  Distributions  to investor group in
excess of carryover basis in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Basis  of  Accounting  and  Presentation:   The  accompanying  Consolidated
Financial  Statements  have been  prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in
accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  which, for certain
financial statement accounts, requires the use of management's estimates. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.



                                       F-8

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

     Fiscal Year:  Finlay  Jewelry's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to
January 31.  References to 1994,  1995 and 1996 relate to the fiscal years ended
on January 28, 1995,  February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997.  Each of the fiscal
years includes 52 weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.

     Merchandise  Inventories:  Consolidated inventories are stated at the lower
of cost or  market  with  cost for the  domestic  operations  determined  by the
last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. Market represents estimated realizable value
after  providing  for a  normal  profit  margin.  The  cost  to  Finlay  of gold
merchandise sold on consignment,  which typically varies with the price of gold,
is not fixed until the sale is reported to the vendor  following the sale of the
merchandise.  Finlay at times enters into futures contracts,  such as options or
forwards,  based upon the  anticipated  sales of gold  product in order to hedge
against the risk arising from those payment arrangements.  Changes in the market
value of futures contracts are accounted for as an addition to or reduction from
the inventory cost. For the years ended January 28,  1995,  February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997,  the  gain/loss on open futures  contracts  was not  material.
Finlay Jewelry did not have any open positions in futures  contracts for gold at
February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997.

     Depreciation and Amortization:  Depreciation and amortization, except where
otherwise indicated, are computed by the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the fixed assets ranging from three to ten years.

     Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include
the  accounts  of  Finlay  Jewelry  and its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries,  Sonab
Holdings,  Inc.  and Sonab  International,  Inc.  All  significant  intercompany
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

     Software  Development  Costs:  Costs incurred for the routine operation and
maintenance of management  information  systems are expensed as incurred.  It is
Finlay Jewelry's policy to capitalize  significant  amounts relating to software
purchased from third party software vendors as well as external consulting costs
incurred  in the  development  and  improvement  of new  management  information
systems.

     Intangible Assets Arising from Acquisition:  The excess purchase price paid
over the fair market value of net assets acquired  ("Goodwill")  was recorded in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 16 - "Accounting
for Business  Combinations" and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
forty years.  Finlay  Jewelry  continually  evaluates the carrying value and the
economic useful life of Goodwill based on Finlay Jewelry's operating results and
the expected  future net cash flows and will adjust the  carrying  value and the
related amortization  period, if and when appropriate.  Amortization of Goodwill
for  1994,  1995  and  1996  totalled  $2,963,000,  $3,149,000  and  $3,143,000,
respectively.  Accumulated  amortization  of  Goodwill  at  February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997 totalled $21,408,000 and $24,551,000, respectively.

     Foreign  Currency  Translation:  Results of operations for Finlay Jewelry's
foreign  subsidiary are translated into U.S.  dollars using the average exchange
rates  during the period,  while assets and  liabilities  are  translated  using
current rates in accordance  with  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
("SFAS") No. 52,  "Foreign  Currency  Translation".  The  resulting  translation
adjustments  are recorded  directly into a separate  component of  Stockholder's
equity.  Transaction  gains and losses are  reported  in net income and were not
significant in any year.



                                       F-9
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

     Debt Issuance  Costs: Debt issuance costs of $6,379,000 arising principally
from the  Recapitalization  Transactions  are being amortized using the straight
line method over the terms of the related debt  agreements.  These debt issuance
costs  totalled  approximately  $4,100,000 at February 3, 1996 and $3,200,000 at
February 1, 1997.  The debt  issuance  costs are  reflected  as a  component  of
Deferred  charges  and other  assets in the  accompanying  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets.  Amortization  of debt issuance  costs for 1994,  1995 and 1996 totalled
$845,000,  $872,000  and  $889,000,  respectively,  and have been  recorded as a
component of Interest expense, net in the accompanying  Consolidated  Statements
of Operations.

     Cost of Sales:  Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise sold, repair
expense,  shipping,  shrinkage and inventory losses.  Buying and occupancy costs
such as  lease  and  rental  fees  are not  included  in Cost of  sales  and are
reflected in Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.

     Statements of Cash Flows:   Finlay Jewelry considers cash on hand, deposits
in banks  and  deposits  in  money  market  funds as cash and cash  equivalents.
Interest  paid  during  1994,  1995 and 1996 was  $20,071,000,  $21,027,000  and
$21,480,000,  respectively.  Income taxes paid in 1994,  1995 and 1996  totalled
$6,554,000,  $9,367,000  and  $9,320,000,  respectively.  Refer to Note 11 for a
discussion of the Sonab acquisition.

     Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Cash, accounts receivable,  short-term
borrowings,  accounts  payable  and accrued  liabilities  are  reflected  in the
financial  statements at fair value because of the short-term  maturity of these
instruments.  Marketable  securities are recorded in the financial statements at
current  market  values,  which  approximates  cost.  The fair  values of Finlay
Jewelry's debt and off-balance sheet financial instruments are disclosed in Note
4.

     Stock-Based Compensation:  Stock-based compensation is recognized using the
intrinsic  value  method.  For  disclosure  purposes,  pro forma net  income and
earnings per share are provided as if the fair value method had been applied.

     Accounting  for  the  Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets:   SFAS  No.  121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed Of," requires long-lived assets as well as identifiable  intangibles
be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances  indicate
the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.  Upon adoption of this
Statement in 1996, there was no impact on Finlay Jewelry's financial position or
results of operations.

     Seasonality:  A significant  portion of Finlay's  revenues are generated in
the fourth quarter due to the seasonality of the retail industry.  Approximately
75% of  Finlay's  domestic  sales in 1996  were  from  operations  in two  major
department store groups of which 51% represents Finlay's domestic sales from one
department store group.







                                      F-10
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3 - MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES

     Merchandise inventories consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     February 3,    February 1,
                                                        1996           1997
                                                    -------------  -------------
                                                          (in thousands)
Jewelry goods - rings, watches and 
  other fine jewelry (specific 
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>        
  identification basis)........................     $    202,860   $   231,298
Excess of specific identification 
  cost over LIFO inventory value...............            6,934         8,853
                                                    -------------  -------------
                                                    $    195,926   $   222,445
                                                    -------------  -------------
</TABLE>


     The LIFO method had the effect of  decreasing  Income  (loss) before income
taxes in 1994, 1995 and 1996 by $845,000, $943,000 and $1,919,000, respectively.
Finlay determines its LIFO inventory value by utilizing  selected producer price
indices published for jewelry and watches by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due
to the  application of APB Opinion No. 16,  inventory  valued at LIFO for income
tax  reporting  purposes  is  approximately  $22,000,000  lower  than  that  for
financial reporting purposes at February 1, 1997.

     Approximately  $199,079,000  and  $194,276,000  at  February  3,  1996  and
February 1, 1997, respectively,  of merchandise received on consignment has been
excluded  from  Merchandise   inventories  and  Accounts  payable-trade  in  the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     In August 1995,  Finlay Jewelry  consummated a gold  consignment  agreement
(the "Gold  Consignment  Agreement")  with Rhode Island  Hospital Trust National
Bank  ("RIHT"),  which  matures  on  February  28,  1998.  The Gold  Consignment
Agreement  enables Finlay Jewelry to pay for  merchandise by providing  gold, or
otherwise  making payment,  to certain vendors who currently  supply Finlay with
merchandise on consignment.  While the merchandise  involved remains  consigned,
the consignor and title to the gold content of the merchandise  changes from the
vendors to RIHT. As a result,  such vendors have reduced  their working  capital
requirements and associated financing costs. Consequently, Finlay has negotiated
more favorable terms with the participating vendors.

     Finlay can obtain,  pursuant to the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  up to the
lesser of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25 million worth of gold, subject
to a formula as prescribed  by the Gold  Consignment  Agreement.  At February 3,
1996 and  February  1,  1997,  amounts  outstanding  under the Gold  Consignment
Agreement totalled 22,090 and 36,916 fine troy ounces,  respectively,  valued at
approximately $9.0 million and $12.8 million,  respectively.  The purchase price
per  ounce is based on the  daily  Second  London  Gold  Fixing.  For  financial
statement   purposes,   the  consigned  gold  is  not  included  in  Merchandise
inventories on Finlay Jewelry's  Consolidated  Balance Sheet and, therefore,  no
related liability has been recorded. RIHT charges Finlay a daily consignment fee
on the dollar equivalent value of ounces outstanding,  a floating rate which, as
of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, was approximately 4.5% per annum.






                                      F-11
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3 - MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES (continued)

     In  addition,  Finlay is  required to pay an unused line fee of 0.5% if the
amount of gold consigned has a value equal to or below $10 million.  Included in
interest  expense for the year ended  February 3, 1996 and  February 1, 1997 are
consignment fees of $189,000 and $638,000, respectively.

     In conjunction with the Gold Consignment Agreement,  Finlay Jewelry granted
RIHT,  subject to the terms of an intercreditor  agreement between RIHT and G.E.
Capital,  a first  priority  perfected  lien on,  and a  security  interest  in,
specified  gold  jewelry  of  participating  vendors  approved  under  the  Gold
Consignment  Agreement  and  certain  cash on  deposit  with  RIHT and a lien on
proceeds and products of such jewelry and cash deposits.

     The Gold  Consignment  Agreement  requires  Finlay  Jewelry to comply  with
certain  covenants,   including   restrictions  on  the  incurrence  of  certain
indebtedness,   the  incurrence  or  creation  of  liens,  engaging  in  certain
transactions  with affiliates and related parties and limitations on the payment
of dividends.  The Gold Consignment  Agreement also contains  various  financial
covenants,  including  fixed  charge  coverage  ratio  requirements  and certain
maximum  debt  limitations.  Finlay  Jewelry was in  compliance  with all of its
financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997.

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

     The Holding  Company and Finlay  Jewelry are parties to a credit  agreement
with G.E. Capital which provides Finlay with a senior secured  revolving line of
credit of up to $135  million,  a portion of which is  available  to the Holding
Company under certain  circumstances.  The Revolving  Credit  Facility  provides
Finlay with a facility  maturing on May 26,  1998,  for  borrowings  based on an
advance rate of (i) up to 85% of eligible domestic accounts  receivable and (ii)
up to 60% of eligible  domestic owned  inventory  after taking into account such
reserves or offsets as G.E. Capital may deem appropriate (the "Borrowing Base").
Eligibility criteria are established by G.E. Capital, which retains the right to
adjust the Borrowing Base in its reasonable  judgement by revising  standards of
eligibility,  establishing reserves and/or increasing or decreasing from time to
time the advance rates.  Finlay Jewelry is permitted to use up to $20 million of
the Revolving  Credit  Facility for the guarantee by G.E.  Capital of letters of
credit  issued for the  account of Finlay  Jewelry by banks  acceptable  to G.E.
Capital. The outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility is required
to be reduced  each year to $10 million  for a 20  consecutive  day period,  and
immediately  thereafter  to zero for an  additional  10  consecutive  days  (the
"Balance  Reduction  Requirement").  Funds available under the Revolving  Credit
Facility are utilized for working capital purposes.

     The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  bears  interest  at a rate  equal  to, at
Finlay's  option,  (i) the Index Rate (as defined)  plus 1.0% or (ii) for one or
more  portions of the Revolving  Credit  Facility of $1.0 million or any greater
integral  multiple  thereof,  reserve adjusted LIBOR plus 2.0%.  "Index Rate" is
defined  as the  higher of (i) the  highest  daily  prime or base rate  publicly
announced by any of the four largest member banks of the New York Clearing House
Association and (ii) the latest rate of dealer ninety-day commercial paper as is
customarily  published in the "Money Rates" section of The Wall Street  Journal.
Upon the occurrence  (and during the  continuance)  of an event of default under
the Revolving  Credit  Facility,  interest would accrue at a rate which is 2% in
excess of the rate otherwise applicable, and would be payable upon demand.



                                      F-12
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

     The  Revolving  Credit  Facility is secured by a first  priority  perfected
security interest in all of Finlay Jewelry's (and any subsidiary's)  present and
future tangible and intangible  assets,  excluding any of Finlay Jewelry's lease
agreements which are not assignable without the lessor's consent.

     The Revolving  Credit  Facility  contains  customary  covenants,  including
limitations  on capital  expenditures,  limitations  on  borrowing  transactions
between  Finlay  and its  officers,  directors,  employees  and  affiliates  and
limitations on payments of dividends. In addition, G.E. Capital has the right to
approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) certain private sales of
Common Stock.  The Revolving  Credit  Facility also contains  various  financial
covenants,   including   minimum   earnings  and  fixed  charge  coverage  ratio
requirements and certain maximum debt limitations. Finlay was in compliance with
all of its financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997.

     The credit agreement  provides for an annual agency fee of $275,000 payable
to G.E. Capital.  Furthermore,  a letter of credit fee of 2.25% per annum of the
face amount of letters of credit  guaranteed under the Revolving Credit Facility
and an unused  facility fee equal to 0.5% per annum on the average  unused daily
balance of the Revolving Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears.

     There were no amounts  outstanding  at February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997
under the Revolving Credit Facility.  The maximum amounts  outstanding under the
Revolving  Credit  Facility  during  1994,  1995  and  1996  were  $108,800,000,
$99,100,000 and $114,100,000,  respectively. The average amounts outstanding for
the same periods were  $69,300,000,  $68,400,000 and $75,371,000,  respectively.
The  weighted  average  interest  rates during the period  (calculated  based on
actual  interest  expense divided by the average amount  outstanding  during the
period) were 7.6%, 8.9% and 8.0% for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

     At  February  3, 1996 and  February  1, 1997,  Finlay had letters of credit
outstanding  totalling  $11.0  million and $11.1  million,  respectively,  which
guarantee various trade activities. The contract amount of the letters of credit
approximate their fair value.

     Long-term debt consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             February 3,    February 1,
                                                1996           1997
                                            -------------  -------------
                                                   (in thousands)
<S>                                         <C>            <C>        
Senior Notes ............................   $   135,000    $   135,000
Other....................................          208               2
                                            -------------  -------------
                                               135,208         135,002
Less - current portion...................          206               2
                                            -------------  -------------
                                            $  135,002     $   135,000
                                            =============  =============
</TABLE>








                                      F-13

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

     On May 26,  1993,  as part of  Finlay's  recapitalization,  Finlay  Jewelry
issued  105/8%  Senior  Notes due 2003  with an  aggregate  principal  amount of
$135,000,000.  Interest  on the  Notes  is  payable  semi-annually  on May 1 and
November 1 of each year,  and commenced on November 1, 1993.  Except in the case
of certain equity offerings,  the Notes are not redeemable prior to May 1, 1998.
Thereafter,  the Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of
Finlay, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to the date of the  redemption.  In the event of a Change of Control (as defined
in the Notes indenture), each holder of the Notes will have the right to require
Finlay  Jewelry to repurchase its Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
principal  amount  thereof  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  thereon to the
repurchase  date. The Notes rank senior in right of payment to all  subordinated
indebtedness  of  Finlay  and pari  passu in right of  payment  with all  senior
borrowings,  including borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.  However,
because the Revolving  Credit  Facility is secured by a pledge of  substantially
all the assets of Finlay Jewelry, the Notes are structurally subordinated to the
borrowings under the Revolving Credit  Facility.  The indenture  relating to the
Notes  contains  restrictions  relating to, among other  things,  the payment of
dividends,  the  repurchase of stock and the making of certain other  restricted
payments,  the  incurrence of additional  indebtedness,  the creation of certain
liens,  certain asset sales  transactions with subsidiaries and other affiliates
and mergers and consolidations.

     The fair value of the Notes at February 1, 1997, determined based on market
quotes, was $142,425,000.

     On May 26, 1993, as part of Finlay's recapitalization,  the Holding Company
sold, for  $55,167,140,  an aggregate of 98,000 units  consisting of $98,000,000
12% Senior Discount  Debentures due 2005 and 130,667 shares of Common Stock. The
Debentures are secured by a first priority lien on and security  interest in all
of the issued and outstanding  stock and intercompany  indebtedness,  if any, of
Finlay  Jewelry.  However,  the operations of the Holding  Company are conducted
through Finlay Jewelry and, therefore, the Holding Company is dependent upon the
cash flow of Finlay Jewelry to meet its  obligations,  including its obligations
under the Debentures.  As a result, the Debentures are effectively  subordinated
to all indebtedness and all other  obligations of Finlay Jewelry.  The indenture
relating  to the  Debentures  contains  restrictions  relating  to,  among other
things,  the payment of  dividends,  the  repurchase  of stock and the making of
certain other restricted  payments,  the incurrence of additional  indebtedness,
the  creation  of  certain  liens,   certain  asset  sales   transactions   with
subsidiaries and other affiliates and mergers and consolidations.

     Finlay  was in  compliance  with all of the  provisions  of the  Notes  and
Debenture indentures as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997.












                                      F-14
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)
 
     The aggregate  amounts of long-term  debt payable in each of the five years
in the period ending February 2, 2002 and thereafter are as follows:


                                                   (in thousands)
                                                   --------------
    
     
1997...........................................    $        2
1998...........................................         -
1999...........................................         -
2000...........................................         -
2001...........................................         -
Thereafter.....................................       135,000
                                                   --------------
                                                   $  135,002
                                                   ==============

     Interest expense for 1994, 1995 and 1996 was  $20,950,000,  $21,985,000 and
$22,609,000,  respectively.  Interest  income for the same  periods was $23,000,
$141,000 and $83,000, respectively.

NOTE 5 - LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AND MANAGEMENT
               PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK

     The Holding  Company's  Long Term  Incentive  Plan (the  "Incentive  Plan")
permits the Holding  Company to grant to officers and other key employees of the
Holding Company and its  subsidiaries  and consultants and other persons who are
deemed  to  render   significant   services  to  the  Holding   Company  or  its
subsidiaries, as well as directors of the Holding Company (other than members of
the  Compensation  Committee),  the  following:  (i) stock  options,  (ii) stock
appreciation rights in tandem with stock options, (iii) limited rights in tandem
with   stock   options,   (iv) restricted   or   nonrestricted   share   awards,
(v) performance  units or  (vi) any  combination  of the  foregoing.  Under  the
Incentive  Plan,  the Holding  Company may grant stock  options which are either
incentive  stock  options  within the  meaning of  Section 422  of the  Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),  or non-incentive  stock options.
An aggregate of 663,486  shares of Common Stock of the Holding  Company has been
reserved for issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan.

     Finlay  has  adopted  the  disclosure-only  provisions  of  SFAS  No.  123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation,"  which became  effective in 1996. As
permitted  by the  Statement,  Finlay has  elected to  continue  to account  for
stock-based  compensation  using the  intrinsic  value method.  Accordingly,  no
compensation expense has been recognized for its stock-based compensation plans.
Had the fair value method of  accounting  been applied to the Holding  Company's
stock option plans, which requires recognition of compensation cost ratably over
the vesting period of the stock options,  Finlay Jewelry's net income would have
been  reduced by $228,000 in 1995 and  $219,000 in 1996.  This pro forma  impact
only  reflects  options  granted  since the  beginning of 1995 and therefore the
resulting  compensation cost may not be representative of that to be expected in
future years.

     The fair value of options  granted in 1995 and 1996 was estimated using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the weighted average market price at
the grant date of $13.67 in 1995 and $13.56 in 1996 and the  following  weighted
average  assumptions:  risk free  interest  rate of 6.89% and 6.67% for 1995 and
1996,  respectively,  expected  life of  seven  years  for  1995  and  1996  and
volatility  of 35.10%  for 1995 and 1996.  The  weighted  average  fair value of
options granted in 1995 and 1996 was $7.02 and $6.88, respectively.




                                      F-15

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5 - LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AND MANAGEMENT
                PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK (continued)

     The following summarizes the transactions pursuant to the Holding Company's
Incentive Plan for 1994, 1995 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 1994                       1995                           1996
                                      --------------------------   --------------------------   ---------------------------
                                       Number of      Wtd. Avg.     Number of      Wtd. Avg.      Number of     Wtd. Avg.
                                        Options       Ex. Price      Options       Ex. Price       Options      Ex. Price
                                      -----------    -----------   -----------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Outstanding at beginning
<S>                                     <C>          <C>             <C>         <C>               <C>         <C>       
     of year.......................     365,323      $    7.87       396,821     $     9.11        545,834     $    11.61
Granted............................      72,262          14.29       264,505          13.67         21,333          13.56

Exercised..........................       -              -           (41,284)          7.23        (27,826)          7.23
Forfeited..........................     (40,764)          7.23       (74,208)          8.00        (15,574)         11.45
                                      -----------    -----------   -----------   ------------   ------------   -----------
Outstanding at end of year              396,821           9.11       545,834          11.61        523,767          11.93
                                      ===========    ===========   ===========   ============   ------------   ----------- 
Exercisable at end of year               57,439      $    8.04       113,970     $     9.73        207,122     $    10.94
</TABLE>

     The options  outstanding  at February 1, 1997 have exercise  prices between
$7.23 and  $18.06,  with a  weighted  average  exercise  price of  $11.93  and a
weighted average  remaining  contractual life of 7.61 years.  Options  generally
vest in five years and expire in ten years from date of grant.

     Upon the  commencement of his  employment,  a senior officer of the Holding
Company purchased 138,525 shares of Common Stock (the "Purchased Shares"),  at a
price of $7.23 per share. The aggregate  purchase price of these shares was paid
in the form of a note issued to the Holding Company in the amount of $1,001,538.
The note is secured by the  Purchased  Shares and certain  proceeds from sale of
the  Purchased  Shares  or any  distribution  paid  on or  with  respect  to the
Purchased  Shares.  Interest accrues on the unpaid balance of the note at a rate
equal to 7.92% per annum,  compounded  annually.  In the event of termination of
employment, the Purchased Shares (together with vested options and shares issued
upon exercise of vested options  ("Option  Shares")) are subject to certain call
rights and the Option Shares are additionally  subject to certain put rights. In
the event the Holding Company does not exercise its call rights,  the rights may
be exercised by the Lee  Investors  and the Desai  Investors,  pro rata based on
their  respective  ownership of Common Stock.  The  Purchased  Shares and Option
Shares are subject to certain restrictions on transfer.

NOTE 6 - LEASE AGREEMENTS

     Finlay conducts  substantially all of its operations as leased  departments
in department  stores.  All of these leases, as well as rentals for office space
and equipment,  are accounted for as operating  leases. A substantial  number of
such operating leases expire on various dates through 2008.

     Substantially  all of the leases  provide  that the title to certain  fixed
assets of Finlay transfers upon termination of the leases,  and that Finlay will
receive  the  undepreciated  value of such fixed  assets  from the lessor in the
event such transfers  occur. The values of such fixed assets are recorded at the
inception  of the  lease  arrangement  and  are  reflected  in the  accompanying
Consolidated Balance Sheets.





                                      F-16

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6 - LEASE AGREEMENTS (continued)

     In many cases,  Finlay is subject to limitations under its lease agreements
with host department stores which prohibit Finlay from operating departments for
other store groups within a certain geographical radius of the host store.

     The store leases  provide for the payment of fees based on sales,  plus, in
some instances,  installment payments for fixed assets. Lease expense,  included
in Selling, general and administrative expenses, is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              Year Ended
                              ------------------------------------------------
                               January 28,       February 3,      February 1,
                                  1995              1996              1997
                              -------------     -------------    ------------- 
<S>                           <C>               <C>              <C>        
Minimum fees..............    $    8,606        $    10,555      $     6,188
Contingent fees...........        80,211             94,679          103,319
                              -------------     -------------    -------------
     Total................    $   88,817        $   105,234      $   109,507
                              =============     =============    =============
</TABLE>

     Future  minimum  payments  under  noncancellable  operating  leases  having
initial or  remaining  noncancellable  lease  terms in excess of one year are as
follows:



                                                       (in thousands)
                                                      ----------------
     1997 .................................           $       9,732
     1998 .................................                   3,876
     1999 .................................                   3,368
     2000 .................................                   2,978
     2001 .................................                   2,417
     Thereafter............................                  13,089
                                                      ----------------
Total minimum payments required...................... $      35,460
                                                      ================


     Minimum  payments  shown  above have not been  reduced by minimum  sublease
payments of $260,000 due in the future under noncancellable subleases.

NOTE 7 - PENSION PLANS

     Finlay  maintains  a defined  contribution  profit-sharing  plan to provide
retirement  benefits for all personnel.  This plan provides for company matching
contributions of $.25 for each $1.00 of employee  contribution,  up to 5% of the
employee's salary, as limited by the Code.  Additionally,  Finlay contributes 2%
of the employees' earnings annually, as limited by the Code. Vesting in Finlay's
contributions begins upon completion of three years of employment and accrues at
the rate of 20% per year.

 



                                      F-17

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 7 - PENSION PLANS (continued)

     Finlay also provides fixed retirement benefits for certain former employees
not covered by existing pension plans. The estimated liability for such benefits
has  been  accrued  for  in  these  financial  statements  and is  reflected  as
components of Other accrued liabilities and Other non-current liabilities.

     The cost of the  defined  contribution  plan  maintained  by Finlay and the
retirement  benefits  for  certain  former  employees   aggregated   $1,603,000,
$1,728,000 and $1,753,000 for 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively.

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES

     For income tax reporting  purposes,  Finlay Jewelry has an October 31  year
end.  Finlay  Jewelry files a  consolidated  Federal  income tax return with its
parent, the Holding Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Finlay Jewelry's
provision  for  income  taxes  and  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  was
calculated as if Finlay Jewelry including its subsidiaries, filed its tax return
on a stand-alone basis.

     Deferred  income  taxes  at  year  end  reflect  the  impact  of  temporary
differences  between  amounts of assets and  liabilities  for  financial and tax
reporting purposes.





























                                      F-18
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES (continued)

     Temporary  differences and  carryforwards  which give rise to a significant
portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities at year end are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Year Ended
                                                               -------------------------------
                                                                 February 3,      February 1,
                                                                    1996             1997
                                                               --------------    -------------  
                                                                       (in thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
<S>                                                            <C>               <C>       
 Uniform inventory capitalization.........................     $     3,154       $    3,462
 Expenses not currently deductible........................           4,398            4,074
 ITC carryover............................................           1,100            1,100
 AMT credit...............................................             566              566
 Deferred financing costs-current.........................             205              208
                                                               --------------    -------------
                                                                     9,423            9,410
 Valuation allowance......................................           1,200            1,200
                                                               --------------    -------------
  Total current...........................................           8,223            8,210
                                                               --------------    -------------
 Deferred financing costs-non-current.....................             642              429
                                                               --------------    -------------
  Total non-current.......................................             642              429
                                                               --------------    -------------
    Total deferred tax assets.............................           8,865            8,639
                                                               --------------    -------------
Deferred Tax Liabilities
  LIFO inventory valuation................................           9,054            9,014
                                                               --------------    -------------
   Total current..........................................           9,054            9,014
                                                               --------------    -------------
 Depreciation.............................................           6,050            7,029
                                                               --------------    -------------
   Total non-current......................................           6,050            7,029
                                                               --------------    -------------
     Total deferred tax liabilities.......................          15,104           16,043
                                                               --------------    -------------
        Net deferred income tax liabilities...............     $     6,239       $    7,404
                                                               ==============    =============

   Net current deferred income tax liabilities............     $       831       $      804           
   Net non-current deferred income tax liabilities........           5,408            6,600
                                                               --------------    -------------
     Net deferred income tax liabilities..................     $     6,239       $    7,404          
                                                               ==============    =============  
</TABLE>
                                                                   












                                      F-19
<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES (continued)

     The components of income tax expense are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                   Year Ended
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                   January 28,     February 3,     February 1,
                                      1995            1996            1997
                                 --------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                              <C>              <C>             <C>                 
Current domestic taxes.......    $      9,486     $    11,106     $    12,291         
Current foreign taxes........             449           1,238           1,045
Deferred taxes...............          (1,586)            183           1,165
                                 --------------   -------------   -------------
Income tax expense...........    $      8,349     $    12,527     $    14,501                                    
                                 ==============   =============   =============
</TABLE>


     A  reconciliation  of the income tax  provision  computed by  applying  the
federal statutory rate to Income (loss) before income taxes to the Provision for
income taxes on the  accompanying  Consolidated  Statements  of Operations is as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Year Ended
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                  January 28,      February 3,     February 1,
                                     1995             1996            1997
                                 --------------   -------------   -------------
<S>                              <C>              <C>             <C>        
Federal Statutory Provision..    $      5,798     $    11,294     $    11,367
Foreign taxes................             449           1,238           1,045
State tax, net of federal 
   benefit...................           1,308           1,836           1,934
Non-deductible amortization..           1,037           1,037           1,037
Life insurance proceeds......         -                (1,750)         -
Benefit of foreign tax 
   credit....................            (449)         (1,238)         (1,045)
Other........................             206             110             163
                                 --------------   -------------   -------------
Provision for income taxes...    $      8,349     $    12,527     $    14,501
                                 ==============   =============   =============
</TABLE>


     Section  382 of the  Code  restricts  utilization  of  net  operating  loss
carryforwards ("NOLs") after an ownership change exceeding 50%. Such utilization
is  generally  restricted  to an annual  limit  computed by applying the federal
long-term  tax exempt rate to the fair market  value of the stock of the Holding
Company  immediately  prior to the time of the ownership  change. As a result of
the Recapitalization  Transactions, a change in ownership of the Holding Company
exceeding  50% occurred  within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code.  Similar
restrictions  will  apply  to  other  carryforwards.  Consequently,  there  is a
material  limitation  on the  annual  utilization  of the Finlay  Jewelry's  net
operating loss and other  carryforwards which requires a deferral or loss of the
utilization  of such  carryforwards.  The IRS  permits  taxpayers  who  obtain a
private  letter ruling to close their books at the change of ownership  date and
to offset  pre-Change  of  Control  income by the NOL  available  to that  year,
regardless of the annual  limitation.  Finlay Jewelry has received such a ruling
and, as a result,  at October 31, 1996, has a NOL  carryforward for tax purposes
of $14,000,000  which is subject to an annual limit of approximately  $2,000,000
per year, of which $10,000,000  expires in 2004 and $4,000,000  expires in 2005.
At October 31, 1996, Finlay Jewelry had Investment Tax Credit ("ITC")



                                      F-20

<PAGE>

                  FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES (continued)

carryovers  of  approximately  $1,100,000,  of which  $150,000  expires in 1997,
$649,000 in 1998,  $264,000 in 1999 and  $37,000 in 2000.  At October 31,  1996,
Finlay Jewelry also had  Alternative  Minimum Tax Credit  ("AMT")  carryovers of
$566,000 which may be used indefinitely to reduce federal income taxes.

     SFAS No. 109 "Accounting  for Income Taxes,"  requires that the tax benefit
of such  NOLs  and tax  credits  be  recorded  as an asset  to the  extent  that
management  assesses  the  utilization  to be "more  likely  than  not".  As the
accompanying  Consolidated Financial Statements include profits earned after the
tax year end at October 31, (the profit of the Christmas  selling  season),  for
financial  reporting  purposes only, the NOL  carryforward  has been absorbed in
full and no NOL carryfoward exists as of February 1, 1997. Management determined
at  February  1, 1997,  that based upon Finlay  Jewelry's  history of  operating
earnings  and its  expectations  for the  future,  no  change  to the  valuation
allowance is warranted.

NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     Finlay Jewelry, from time to time, is involved in litigation concerning its
business  affairs.  Management  believes  that  the  resolution  of all  pending
litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the financial statements.

     Finlay  Jewelry  has  employment  agreements  with two  senior  members  of
management  which  provide  for  minimum  salary  levels  as well  as  incentive
compensation  based on meeting specific  financial  goals.  Such agreements have
remaining  terms of one year and have a  remaining  aggregate  minimum  value of
approximately $1,400,000 as of February 1, 1997.

     The credit agreement with G.E. Capital, the Gold Consignment Agreement with
RIHT and the indenture relating to the Notes restrict  distributions from Finlay
Jewelry to the Holding  Company to 0.25% of Finlay  Jewelry's  net sales for the
preceding  fiscal year.  During 1996,  dividends of $1,636,000 were declared and
$818,000 was  distributed  to the Holding  Company.  During  1995,  dividends of
$1,380,000 were declared and $1,810,000 was distributed to the Holding  Company.
During 1994, dividends of $984,000 were declared and $738,000 was distributed to
the Holding Company.

     Finlay  Jewelry s  concentration  of credit risk  consists  principally  of
accounts receivable. Finlay Jewelry believes that the risk associated with these
receivables, other than those from department store groups indicated in the last
paragraph  of  Note 2,  would  not have a  material  adverse  effect  on  Finlay
Jewelry's financial position or results of operations.

     Finlay Jewelry is committed to expend a total of approximately  $10,000,000
for the completion of a 75,000 square foot  distribution and warehouse  facility
in Orange,  Connecticut,  of which  approximately half has been disbursed during
1996.   Expenditures   included  the  purchase  of  machinery   and   equipment,
construction costs and the purchase and installation of computer systems.






                                      F-21

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 10 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

     The following table summarizes the quarterly  financial data for 1994, 1995
and 1996 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                          Year Ended January 28, 1995
                             --------------------------------------------------
                                First       Second        Third        Fourth
                               Quarter      Quarter      Quarter     Quarter(a)
                             ----------   -----------  ----------   -----------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
Sales...................     $  93,858    $  109,209   $ 109,657    $  239,366
Gross margin............        49,087        56,973      57,697       127,070
Net income (loss).......        (4,356)       (1,985)     (1,982)       16,539
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Year Ended February 3, 1996
                             --------------------------------------------------
                                First       Second        Third       Fourth
                               Quarter    Quarter(a)     Quarter     Quarter
                             ----------   -----------  ----------   -----------
<S>                          <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>       
Sales...................     $ 112,716      $135,428   $ 132,058    $  274,289
Gross margin............        58,875        70,327      68,773       142,487
Net income (loss).......        (4,102)        4,545      (1,373)       20,669
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         Year Ended February 1, 1997
                             --------------------------------------------------
                                First       Second        Third        Fourth
                               Quarter      Quarter      Quarter       Quarter
                             -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
Sales...................     $ 130,719    $  137,188   $  136,140   $  281,227
Gross margin............        66,681        71,343       70,360      146,590
Net income (loss).......        (2,929)          (15)      (1,091)      21,997
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(a)  The fourth  quarter of 1994 includes  $5,144,000,  on a pre-tax  basis,  of
     expenses related to the management  transition and consulting expense.  The
     second  quarter  of  1995  includes  proceeds  of  $5,000,000  from  a life
     insurance policy maintained on a senior executive.

NOTE 11 - ACQUISITIONS

     On October 28, 1994,  Finlay Jewelry  completed the  acquisition of Societe
Nouvelle  d'Achat  de  Bijouterie  -  S.O.N.A.B.  ("Sonab"),  a  French  company
operating 95 leased jewelry departments and three free standing  locations,  all
in France from Galeries  Lafayette.  The leased fine jewelry departments operate
in department stores such as Galeries Lafayette, Nouvelles Galeries and Bazar De
L'Hotel de Ville.  Simultaneously  with the acquisition of Sonab,  G.E.  Capital
agreed to provide additional  financing by increasing  Finlay's Revolving Credit
Facility by $25,000,000, from $110,000,000 to $135,000,000.  The acquisition was
recorded under the purchase method of accounting. The Sonab acquisition required
approximately  $11,000,000  primarily  for  the  purpose  of  repaying  existing
intercompany loans to Galeries Lafayette,  as well as an outstanding gold credit
line. Finlay Jewelry paid approximately  $356,000 for the common stock of Sonab.
Goodwill associated with this transaction was not significant.






                                      F-22

<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11 - ACQUISITIONS (continued)

     The  following   summarized,   unaudited  pro  forma  combined  results  of
operations  for the years ended  January 29, 1994 and January 28, 1995 have been
prepared  assuming the  acquisition  of Sonab  occurred at the  beginning of the
respective  periods.  The pro forma  information  is provided for  informational
purposes only. It is based on historical  information  and does not  necessarily
reflect  the  actual  results  that would have  occurred  nor is it  necessarily
indicative of future results of operations of the combined  company  (dollars in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                 Year Ended
                                   -----------------------------------------
                                      January 29,              January 28,
                                        1994                     1995
                                   ----------------        -----------------
<S>                                <C>                     <C>           
Sales.....................         $    530,676            $      572,965
Net income (loss).........               (4,724)                    8,841
</TABLE>







                                      F-23



                        AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     AMENDMENT,  dated as of May 17,  1995,  to the  employment  agreement  (the
"Employment  Agreement"),  dated as of  January  3,  1995,  by and among  Finlay
Enterprises,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation (the "Parent"),  Finlay Fine Jewelry
Corporation,  a  Delaware  corporation  ("Finlay"),  and Arthur E.  Reiner  (the
"Executive").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS,  the parties hereto mutually desire to amend certain provisions of
the Employment Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  for good and valuable  consideration,  the parties hereto
agree as follows:

     1. A new Section 8A shall be added to the Employment Agreement  immediately
after  the text of  Section 8  thereof,  which  shall  read in its  entirety  as
follows:

          "8A.  Additional  Provisions  Regarding  Purchased  Shares  and Option
     Shares.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of Sections 7(e) and 8(g) hereof,
     the Executive shall have the right to sell an amount equal to not more than
     15% of each of the  Purchased  Shares and Option Shares  (including  Option
     Shares represented by vested but unexercised Options held by the Executive)
     ('Diluted Option Shares') during each of Fiscal Year 1996  (including,  for
     purposes  hereof,  the period January 3, 1996 through February 1, 1997) and
     Fiscal Year 1997 and not more than 35% of each of the Purchased  Shares and
     Diluted  Option  Shares  during each of the  Parent's  1998 and 1999 fiscal
     years, such amounts to be inclusive of all sales, public or private, of the
     Executive's  stock of the Parent, it being agreed that the permitted amount
     of sales of such  stock  during  any  Fiscal  Year or fiscal  year shall be
     cumulated in the event the maximum amount of permitted  sales  hereunder in
     any prior year are not made.

     "In connection with the foregoing,  the Parent, at the Executive's  request
and at the Parent's  expense,  agrees to register,  from time to time, the offer
and sale of the Purchased  Shares and Option Shares  referred to above to enable
the  Executive to sell such shares  (subject to  applicable  legal  limitations,
restrictions set forth in this Agreement and restrictions  from the underwriters
of the Parent's April 1995 public  offering of Common Stock).  The obligation of
the Parent to register such shares shall cease upon the earlier to occur of: (i)
the date when the Executive is able to sell all of such shares  pursuant to Rule
144 (subject to no volume  limitations)  and (ii) the end of the  Parent's  1999
fiscal year. The Executive  agrees to provide to the Parent  sufficient  advance
written  notice of any sale the  Executive  wishes to make in order to allow the
Parent  to file  the  necessary  documents  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  and applicable state securities authorities,  to register the offer
and sale of such shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and

                                       -1-

<PAGE>


applicable  state  securities or 'blue sky' laws.  It is further  agreed that no
registration  statement which the Executive requests in respect of the Purchased
Shares need be filed prior to February 1, 1996, and the Executive shall not sell
any Purchased Shares or Option Shares prior to February 1, 1996."

  2. (a) The provisions of  Sections 7(e)(i) and  8(g)(i) shall  be deleted from
the  Employment  Agreement  and the phrase  "[intentionally  omitted]"  shall be
inserted in lieu thereof.

     (b) The  provisions of Section 7(g) of the  Employment  Agreement  shall be
amended  so that the clause "or  Section  8A  hereof" is  inserted  in the first
sentence  thereof  immediately  after the clause "prior to any sale of Purchased
Shares permitted under paragraph (e)".

     (c) The  provisions of Section 8(h) of the  Employment  Agreement  shall be
amended  so that the clause "or  Section  8A  hereof" is  inserted  in the first
sentence  thereof  immediately  after  the  clause  "prior to any sale of Option
Shares permitted under paragraph (g)".

     (d) The provisions of Section 9(c)(iv)(A) of the Employment Agreement shall
be amended so that the reference to Section "6 or 8" therein is modified to read
"6, 8 or 8A".

     3. Except as amended hereby, the Employment  Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect,  without change or  modification.  The  Employment  Agreement,
together  with  this  Amendment  and  the  other  documents  referred  to in the
Employment Agreement,  is intended by the parties as a final expression of their
agreement and  understanding  in respect of the subject matter  contained herein
and therein. The Employment  Agreement,  this Amendment and such other documents
supersede  all prior  agreements  and  understandings  between the parties  with
respect to such subject matter.

     4. This  instrument  may be executed in two or more  counterparts,  each of
which shall be deemed an original,  but all of which together  shall  constitute
one and the same instrument.

     5. Terms defined in the  Employment  Agreement  and not  otherwise  defined
herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement.

     6. This Amendment to Employment  Agreement shall become  effective upon the
receipt of all required third-party consents, including, without limitation: (a)
consent under the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement,  dated as of March 28,
1995,  among  the  Parent,   Finlay,   General  Electric  Capital   Corporation,
individually  and as agent for the lenders named therein (the "Lenders") and the
Lenders;  and (b) consent under the Registration  Rights Agreement,  dated as of
May 26, 1993, among the Parent and certain stockholders of the Parent.






                                       -2-

<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Amendment as of the
day and year first above written.


                                          /s/Arthur E. Reiner         
                                          -------------------------
                                          Arthur E. Reiner

                                          FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                          By /s/Barry Scheckner       
                                             ----------------------
                                             Name:  Barry Scheckner
                                             Title: Senior Vice President

                                          FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION


                                          By /s/Barry Scheckner       
                                             ----------------------
                                             Name:  Barry Scheckner
                                             Title: Senior Vice President

                                       -3-



                                 AMENDMENT No. 3


     AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT dated as of January 31, 1997 among FINLAY ENTERPRISES,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent"),  FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION, a
Delaware  corporation  (the  "Company"),  the lenders named herein and signatory
hereto (the "Lenders") and GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL  CORPORATION,  as agent (the
"Agent") for the Lenders.
 
     WHEREAS,  the Parent, the Company, the Lenders and the Agent are parties to
an  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated  as of March  28,  1995 (as
heretofore and hereafter amended,  modified or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with its terms, the "Credit Agreement");

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires  to  open  up to  forty-nine  fine  jewelry
departments in Monoprix stores; and

     WHEREAS,  subject to the terms and  conditions  hereof the  parties  hereto
desire to amend certain  provisions of the Credit  Agreement and of the Security
Agreement.
 
     NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged,  and subject to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth
below, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 
     1.  Defined  Terms.  Unless  otherwise  specifically  defined  herein,  all
capitalized  terms used herein shall have the  respective  meanings  ascribed to
such terms in the Credit Agreement.

     2.  Amendments to Credit  Agreement.  Upon the  Effective  Date (as defined
herein), the Credit Agreement shall be amended as follows:

     (a) Section  3.1(c)(A)(iii)  of the Credit  Agreement is hereby  amended by
deleting   the  amount   "$12,000,000"   appearing   therein  and   substituting
"$20,000,000" therefor.

     (b)  Section 7 of the  Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended  by adding the
following as paragraph (e) thereof:

          (e)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth in (b) above,
     no more than $6,000,000 in the aggregate may be expended in connection with
     the operation of fine jewelry  departments in Monoprix stores to the extent
     the operation of such fine jewelry departments is permitted hereunder.

 

 



                                        1



<PAGE>


     (c) Section 7(b) of the Credit  Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the
first   parenthetical   of  such  section  in  its  entirety  and   substituting
"(including,  without limitation, for the purpose of (i) opening and maintaining
not more than  twenty-two  factory outlet stores  operated by the Company to the
extent set forth in Section 9.1 hereof,  (ii) operating fine jewelry departments
in not more than ten  Debenhams  stores to the extent set forth in Section  9.23
hereof  and  (iii)  operating  fine  jewelry  departments  in (x) not more  than
forty-nine  Monoprix  stores  and (y) a store in  Berlin,  Germany,  each to the
extent set forth in Section 9.25 hereof)" therefor.

     (d) Section  9.1(iv) of the Credit  Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
the  parenthetical in such section in its entirety and  substituting  "(it being
agreed that of such amount,  (A) no more than $4,000,000 may be expended for the
purpose of opening and maintaining factory outlet stores operated by the Company
and  permitted  to be  opened  under  Section  9.24  hereof,  (B) no  more  than
$2,000,000  may be  expended  for the purpose of opening  and  maintaining  fine
jewelry  departments in Debenhams  stores permitted to be operated under Section
9.23 hereof and (C) no more than  $1,000,000  may be expended for the purpose of
opening and maintaining fine jewelry  departments in Monoprix stores and a store
in  Berlin,  Germany  permitted  to be  operated  under  Section  9.25  hereof)"
therefor.

     (e)  Section 9 of the  Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended  by adding the
following as Section 9.25 thereof:

            9.25. MONOPRIX LICENSE AGREEMENTS.  Enter into License Agreements to
     operate fine jewelry  departments in more than (x) forty-nine (49) Monoprix
     stores and (y) one store in Berlin, Germany.

     3.  Representations  and  Warranties.  Each of the Parent  and the  Company
represents and warrants as follows (which  representations  and warranties shall
survive the  execution  and  delivery of this  Agreement)  as of the date hereof
that:

     (a) Each of the Parent,  the Company and each Subsidiary  thereof has taken
all necessary  action to authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance of
this  Agreement and each other  agreement,  instrument  or document  executed in
connection herewith or therewith to which such Person is a party  (collectively,
the "Amendment Documents").

     (b) Each of the  Amendment  Documents  has been duly executed and delivered
and each of the Amendment  Documents  constitutes  the valid and legally binding
obligation of the Parent and/or the Company,  as the case may be, enforceable in
accordance  with  their  respective  terms,  subject to  applicable  bankruptcy,
reorganization,   insolvency,   moratorium   and  similar  laws   affecting  the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equity principles.

     (c) No consent or approval of any person, firm,  corporation or entity, and
no consent,  license, approval or authorization of any governmental authority is
or will be required in connection  with the  execution,  delivery,  performance,
validity or enforcement of the Amendment  Documents other than any such consent,
approval, license or authorization which has been obtained and remains


                                        2



<PAGE>


in full force and effect or where the failure to obtain such consent,  approval,
license or authorization would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

     (d)  After  giving  effect  to  this  Agreement  and  the  other  Amendment
Documents,  each of the Company and the Parent is in compliance  with all of the
various  covenants and agreements set forth in the Credit  Agreement and each of
the other Loan Documents.

     (e) No event has  occurred and is  continuing  which  constitutes  or would
constitute,  with the  giving of  notice  or lapse of time or both,  an Event of
Default under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

     (f) All representations  and warranties  contained in the Credit Agreement,
and each of the  other  Loan  Documents  are true and  correct  in all  material
respects as of the date hereof,  except to the extent that any representation or
warranty relates to a specified date, in which case such are true and correct in
all material respects as of the specific date to which such  representations and
warranties relate.

     4.  Conditions  Precedent.  Notwithstanding  any term or  provision of this
Agreement to the  contrary,  the  amendments  contained  herein shall not become
effective  until the date and time on which the Agent and the Lenders shall have
determined (as evidenced by delivery of a counterpart of this Agreement executed
by the Agent and each Lender) that each of the  following  conditions  precedent
shall have been satisfied (the "Effective Date"):

     (a)  Counterparts  of this  Agreement  shall  have been duly  executed  and
delivered on behalf of the Company, the Parent and each of the Lenders.

     (b) All required  corporate  action and  proceedings in connection with the
execution and delivery of the  Amendment  Documents  shall have been taken,  and
each shall be  satisfactory  in form and substance to the Agent and the Lenders,
and the Agent and the Lenders shall have received all  information and copies of
all documents,  including  without  limitation,  records of requisite  corporate
action and proceedings that the Agent or any Lender may reasonably  request,  to
be certified by the appropriate corporate persons or government authorities.
 
     5. Continued Effectiveness.  The term "Agreement",  "hereof",  "herein" and
similar terms as used in the Credit Agreement,  and references in the other Loan
Documents to the Credit  Agreement,  shall mean and refer to, from and after the
Effective Date, the Credit  Agreement as amended by this Agreement.  Each of the
Company and the Parent hereby  agrees that all of the  covenants and  agreements
contained in the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents are hereby ratified and
confirmed in all respects.

     6.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,  each of
which shall be an original, and all of which, taken together, shall constitute a
single  instrument.  Delivery of an executed  counterpart of a signature page to
this  Agreement  by  telecopier  shall be  effective  as  delivery of a manually
executed counterpart of this Agreement.



                                        3

<PAGE>

     7.  Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance  with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the
conflicts of laws provisions thereof.
 
                                FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:
 

                                FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION


                                By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:


                                GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL
                                CORPORATION, Individually and as Agent


                                By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:


                                FLEET NATIONAL BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS
                                (formerly known as Shawmut Bank, N.A.)


                                By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:


                                        4



EXHIBIT 11 - Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per common share were computed as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                           Year Ended
                                                       ----------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands, except share                             January 30,  January 29,  January 28,  February 3,  February 1,
   and per share amounts                                  1993         1994         1995         1996         1997
                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>       
Net income (loss)............................          $    6,028   $   (9,205) $     2,731   $   14,251   $   11,757
Less:                                                                                                           
  Dividends and amortization of discount on                                                                     
  preferred stock and accretion on                                                                              
  conversion of preferred stock..............               4,689        3,594        3,332       10,717       -       
                                                       -----------  ----------- ------------  -----------  -----------
Adjusted net income (loss)...................          $    1,339   $  (12,799) $      (601)  $    3,534   $   11,757
                                                       ===========  =========== ============  ===========  ===========
Weighted average shares -                                                                                       
  Common(1)..................................           1,360,000    1,972,997    2,256,107    6,458,563    7,417,343  
Common stock equivalent                                                                                         
  pursuant to APB 15(2)......................             368,000        -            4,785      181,164      152,186  
                                                       -----------  ----------- ------------  -----------  -----------
Total weighted average shares................           1,728,000    1,972,997    2,260,892    6,639,727    7,569,529
                                                       ===========  =========== ============  ===========  ===========
Net income (loss) per share                                                                                 
  applicable to common shares................          $     0.78   $   (6.49)  $     (0.27)  $     0.53   $     1.55  
                                                       ===========  =========== ============  ===========  =========== 
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1)  The weighted  average shares  outstanding are based on the number of shares
     of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
(2)  In accordance with APB 15, the common stock  equivalents were calculated by
     applying the treasury  stock  method,  and limiting the number of shares of
     Common Stock  obtainable upon exercise of outstanding  options and warrants
     in the aggregate to 20% of the number of shares  outstanding  at the end of
     the period for which the computation is being made.



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report  included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's  previously  filed
Registration Statement File No. 33-99176 and the related prospectus.




                                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 


New York, New York
April 29, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM FINLAY
ENTERPRISES, INC. FORM 10K AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO 
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMETNS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              FEB-01-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 FEB-04-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                   FEB-01-1997
<CASH>                                         20,846
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  15,362
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    222,445
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               264,440
<PP&E>                                         73,223
<DEPRECIATION>                                 21,423
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 421,273
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          186,824
<BONDS>                                        211,427
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       76
<OTHER-SE>                                     22,429
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   421,273
<SALES>                                        685,274
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               685,274
<CGS>                                          330,300
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  330,300
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               300,978
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             31,204
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                22,792
<INCOME-TAX>                                   11,035
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            11,757
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   11,757
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  1.55
        

</TABLE>


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