FINLAY ENTERPRISES INC /DE
10-K, 1999-04-30
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  January 30, 1999

         __    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 of                               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)

         529 Fifth Avenue New York, NY                10017
   ----------------------------------------         ----------
   (Address of principal executive offices)         (zip code)

                                  212-808-2800
              ---------------------------------------------------- 
              (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 23, 1999 was $96,087,650.

As of April 23, 1999,  there were 10,410,353  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 1999, are  incorporated by reference into Part
III. The Company's  Proxy  Statement will be filed within 120 days after January
30, 1999.

<PAGE>


                             FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC

                                    FORM 10-K

                   FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1999

                                      INDEX



                                                                         Page(s)

PART I
 Item 1.   Business........................................................... 3
 Item 2.   Properties.........................................................15
 Item 3.   Legal Proceedings..................................................15
 Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................15

PART II
 Item 5.   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
              Matters.........................................................16
 Item 6.   Selected Consolidated Financial Data...............................17
 Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations.............................19
 Item 7a.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.........28
 Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........................29
 Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
              Accounting and Financial Disclosure.............................29

PART III
 Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.................30
 Item 11.  Executive Compensation.............................................33
 Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.....34
 Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.....................37

PART IV
 Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K....38

SIGNATURES ...................................................................47










                                       2
<PAGE>


                                     PART I

Item 1. Business

The Company

     Finlay Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),  conducts
business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation, a
Delaware  corporation,  and its wholly owned  subsidiaries  ("Finlay  Jewelry").
References to "Finlay" mean,  collectively,  the Company, Finlay Jewelry and all
predecessor  businesses.  All references  herein to "Departments"  refer to fine
jewelry   departments   operated   pursuant  to  license   agreements  or  other
arrangements with host department stores.

     Finlay is one of the leading retailers of fine jewelry in the United States
and France. The Company operates leased fine jewelry departments ("Departments")
in major  department  stores for  retailers  such as The May  Department  Stores
Company ("May"),  Federated  Department Stores  ("Federated"),  Belk, the Carson
Pirie  Scott  and  Proffitt's  divisions  of Saks  Incorporated,  and  with  the
completion of its 1997 acquisition of Diamond Park (as defined herein), operates
Departments in Marshall Field's, Parisian and Dillard's, formerly the Mercantile
Stores.  Finlay  sells a broad  selection  of  moderately  priced fine  jewelry,
including necklaces,  earrings,  bracelets, rings and watches, and markets these
items  principally  as  fashion  accessories  with an  average  sales  price  of
approximately  $161 per item. Average sales per Department were $776,000 in 1998
and the average size of a Department is approximately 1,000 square feet.

     Finlay's sales have increased from $552.1 million in 1994 to $863.4 million
in 1998, a compound  annual  growth rate of 11.8%.  Income from  operations  has
increased  from $36.5  million to $61.7  million in the same period,  a compound
annual growth rate of 14.0%.  Finlay has increased in size from 757  Departments
at the beginning of 1994 to 1,097 Departments and 12 stand-alone  stores,  for a
total of 1,109 locations at the end of 1998.

     As of January 30,  1999,  Finlay  operated  its 1,109  locations in 31 host
store groups,  located in 45 states, the District of Columbia,  France,  England
and Germany.  Finlay's  largest host store  relationship  is with May, for which
Finlay has operated  Departments  since 1948.  Finlay  operates the fine jewelry
departments in all of May's 390 department  stores,  including Lord & Taylor and
Filene's. Finlay's second largest host store relationship is with Federated, for
which Finlay has operated Departments since 1983. Finlay operates Departments in
153 of Federated's 401 department  stores,  including Rich's and Burdines.  Over
the past three years,  store groups owned by May and Federated  accounted for an
average of 46% and 21%,  respectively,  of  Finlay's  annual  sales.  Management
believes that it maintains excellent relations with its host store groups, 20 of
which have had leases with Finlay for more than five years  (representing 79% of
Finlay's  sales in 1998) and 16 of which  have had leases  with  Finlay for more
than ten years (representing 69% of Finlay's sales in 1998).

     Finlay entered the  international  fine jewelry retailing market in October
1994 by acquiring Societe Nouvelle d' Achat de Bijouterie--S.O.N.A.B. ("Sonab"),
the largest operator of Departments in France, operating 144 Departments in five
host store groups, including Galeries Lafayette, Nouvelles Galeries and Bazar de
L'Hotel de Ville.

     As of January 30, 1999,  Finlay also  operated  nine  domestic  stand alone
jewelry 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 certain other merchandise.



                                       3

<PAGE>

     Finlay's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. References
to 1994,  1995,  1996,  1997, 1998 and 1999 relate to the fiscal years ending on
January 28, 1995,  February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997, January 31, 1998, January
30, 1999 and January 29, 2000,  respectively.  Each of the fiscal years includes
52 weeks except 1995, which included 53 weeks.

     The Company is a holding  company  and 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 529 Fifth  Avenue,  New York,  New York  10017 and its
telephone number at this address is (212) 808-2800.

     On April 24,  1998,  the Company  completed a public  offering of 1,800,000
shares of its common  stock,  par value $.01 per share  ("Common  Stock"),  at a
price of $27.50 per share (the "1998  Offering"),  of which 567,310  shares were
sold  by  the  Company  and  1,232,690  shares  were  sold  by  certain  selling
stockholders.  Concurrently  with the 1998  Offering,  the  Company  and  Finlay
Jewelry  completed  the public  offering of $75.0  million  aggregate  principal
amount of 9% Senior  Debentures  due May 1, 2008 (the "Senior  Debentures")  and
$150.0 million  aggregate  principal  amount of 8-3/8% Senior Notes due May 1,
2008 (the  "Senior  Notes"),  respectively.  In  addition,  on April  24,  1998,
Finlay's  revolving  credit  agreement (the  "Revolving  Credit  Agreement") was
amended to increase the line of credit  thereunder to $275.0 million and to make
certain other changes.

     On May 1, 1998,  the Company  prepaid all of the $39.0  million of accreted
interest on the  Company's  12% Senior  Discount  Debentures  due 2005 (the "Old
Debentures")  as of such date.  The Company  exercised  its option to prepay all
such accreted  interest to take advantage of the resulting tax benefit  relating
to the deductibility of such prepayment in 1998.

     On May 26, 1998,  the net  proceeds to the Company from the 1998  Offering,
the sale of the Senior  Debentures,  together with other available  funds,  were
used to redeem the  Company's Old  Debentures,  including  associated  premiums.
Also, on May 26, 1998, Finlay Jewelry used the net proceeds from the sale of the
Senior Notes to redeem  Finlay  Jewelry's  10-5/8%  Senior Notes due 2003 (the
"Old Notes"),  including associated premiums. The above transactions,  excluding
the 1998  Offering,  are  referred to herein as the  "Refinancing".  The Company
recorded, in the second quarter of 1998, a pre-tax extraordinary charge of $12.2
million,  including  $7.1  million for  redemption  premiums and $3.9 million to
write off deferred  financing  costs and debt discount  associated  with the Old
Debentures and the Old Notes.

     On October 6, 1997,  Finlay  completed the acquisition of certain assets of
the Diamond Park Fine Jewelers division of Zale Corporation  ("Diamond Park"), a
leading operator of Departments,  for approximately  $63.0 million. By acquiring
Diamond Park, Finlay added 139 Departments that, in 1998,  contributed in excess
of $100  million  in sales and also  added  new host  store  relationships  with
Marshall Field's, Parisian and Dillard's, formerly the Mercantile Stores.

     On October 21, 1997,  the Company  completed a public  offering  (the "1997
Offering")  of 3,450,000  shares of its Common  Stock,  at a price of $19.00 per
share,  of which  2,196,971  shares  were  issued  and sold by the  Company.  An
additional 1,253,029 shares were sold by existing stockholders.  Net proceeds to
the Company  from the 1997  Offering  were $38.1  million.  The Company used the
funds for working capital, repayment of indebtedness and other general corporate
purposes.

     On April 6, 1995,  the Company  completed an initial  public  offering (the
"Initial Public  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 Initial Public Offering were $30.2
million and were used to  repurchase  $6.1 million  accreted  balance of the Old
Debentures, with the

                                       4

<PAGE>

balance  of the net  proceeds  used  to  reduce  a  portion  of the  outstanding
indebtedness incurred under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

General

     Overview.  Host stores benefit from outsourcing the operation of their fine
jewelry   departments.   By  engaging  Finlay,   host  stores  gain  specialized
managerial,  merchandising,  selling, marketing,  inventory control and security
expertise.  Additionally,  by  avoiding  the  high  working  capital  investment
typically required of the jewelry business,  host stores improve their return on
investment and can potentially increase their profitability.

     As a lessee,  Finlay  benefits from the host stores'  reputation,  customer
traffic, advertising, credit services and established customer base. Finlay also
avoids the substantial capital investment in fixed assets typical of stand-alone
retail formats. These factors have generally enabled Finlay's new Departments to
achieve  profitability  within their first twelve  months of  operation.  Finlay
further benefits because net sales proceeds are generally  remitted to Finlay by
each host store on a monthly  basis with  essentially  all customer  credit risk
borne by the host store.

     As a result of Finlay's strong  relationships with its vendors,  management
believes that the Company's working capital requirements are lower than those of
many other jewelry retailers. In recent years, on average,  approximately 49% of
Finlay's  domestic  merchandise  has been  carried  on  consignment.  The use of
consignment  merchandise  also reduces Finlay's  inventory  exposure to changing
fashion trends because, in general, unsold consigned merchandise can be returned
to the vendor.

     Industry.  Management  believes that current  trends in jewelry  retailing,
particularly in the department store sector,  provide a significant  opportunity
for Finlay's  growth.  Consumers  spent  approximately  $46.3 billion on jewelry
(including  both fine and  costume  jewelry)  in the United  States in 1998,  an
increase of  approximately  $17.7  billion  over 1988,  according  to the United
States  Department of Commerce.  In the department  store sector in which Finlay
operates,  consumers  spent $4  billion  on fine  jewelry  in  1997.  Management
believes that  demographic  factors such as the maturing of the U.S.  population
and an  increase  in the  number of  working  women  have  resulted  in  greater
disposable income, thus contributing to the growth of the fine jewelry retailing
industry.  Management also believes that jewelry  consumers  today  increasingly
perceive  fine jewelry as a fashion  accessory,  resulting  in  purchases  which
augment the Company's gift and special occasion sales.  Finlay's Departments are
typically located in "high traffic" areas of leading department stores, enabling
Finlay to capitalize on these consumer buying patterns.

     Growth Strategy.  Finlay intends to pursue the following key initiatives to
increase sales and earnings:

o    Increase  Comparable  Department  Sales.  In 1996,  1997 and  1998,  Finlay
     achieved domestic  comparable  Department sales increases of 6.0%, 5.7% and
     5.4%,  respectively,  outpacing  the  majority  of its host  stores.  These
     increases were achieved  primarily by emphasizing  key  merchandise  items,
     increasing focus on holiday and event-driven  promotions,  participating in
     host  store  marketing  programs  and  positioning  its  Departments  as  a
     "destination  location" for fine jewelry.  Finlay  believes that comparable
     Department  sales will  continue to benefit  from these  merchandising  and
     marketing strategies, as well as from increasing demand for fine jewelry.

o    Add  Departments   Within   Existing  Host  Store  Groups.   Finlay's  well
     established  relationships  with many of its host store groups have enabled
     the Company to add  Departments  in new  locations  opened by existing host
     stores.  Finlay  has  operated  Departments  in May  stores  since 1948 and
     operates  the  fine  jewelry  departments  in all of May's  390  department
     stores. Finlay also has 


                                       5

<PAGE>

     operated   Departments   in  Federated   stores  since  1983  and  operates
     Departments  in  153  of  Federated's  401  department  stores.  Since  the
     beginning of 1994, host store  expansion has added 92 net new  Departments.
     Based  on  May's  expansion  plans,   Finlay  believes  it  will  have  the
     opportunity to open  approximately  100 new Departments in May stores alone
     over the next five years (excluding possible closings).

o    Establish New Host Store  Relationships.  Finlay has an opportunity to grow
     by establishing  new  relationships  with department  stores that presently
     either  lease their fine jewelry  departments  to Finlay's  competitors  or
     operate their own fine jewelry departments. Finlay seeks to establish these
     new  relationships  by  demonstrating  to department  store  management the
     potential for improved financial performance.  Since the beginning of 1992,
     Finlay has added such host store groups as Burdines,  The Bon Marche, Elder
     Beerman  and  Stern's.  Over the past  three  years,  Finlay  has  added 27
     Departments in the Hecht's division of May as a result of May's acquisition
     of John  Wanamaker  and  Strawbridge's.  By  acquiring  Diamond  Park  (the
     "Diamond Park  Acquisition"),  Finlay added Marshall Field's,  Parisian and
     Dillard's (formerly the Mercantile Stores) to its host store relationships.

o    Continue to Improve Operating Leverage. Selling, general and administrative
     expenses as a percentage  of sales  declined from 43.5% in 1994 to 42.2% in
     1998.  Finlay  seeks to continue to leverage  expenses  both by  increasing
     sales at a faster rate than  expenses and by reducing its current  level of
     certain operating  expenses.  For example,  Finlay has demonstrated that by
     increasing  the selling  space (with host store  approval)  of certain high
     volume  Departments,  incremental  sales can be achieved  without having to
     incur proportionate  increases in selling and administrative  expenses.  In
     addition,   management  believes  the  Company  will  benefit  from  recent
     investments in technology and refinements of operating  procedures designed
     to allow  Finlay's  sales  associates  more  time for  customer  sales  and
     service.  Finlay's new central  distribution  facility,  which became fully
     operational  in the Spring of 1998,  has enabled the Company to improve the
     flow of  merchandise to  Departments  and,  during the latter part of 1998,
     enabled the Company to reduce payroll and freight costs.

     Additionally,  since 1994 the Company has opened nine domestic  stand-alone
jewelry outlet stores which provide Finlay with a channel to sell  discontinued,
close-out and certain other merchandise.

     Merchandising  Strategy.  Finlay seeks to maximize sales and  profitability
through a unique  merchandising  strategy known as the "Finlay Triangle",  which
integrates store management  (including host store management and Finlay's store
group management),  vendors and Finlay's central office. By coordinating efforts
and sharing access to information, each Finlay Triangle participant plays a role
which  emphasizes its area of expertise in the  merchandising  process,  thereby
increasing  productivity.  Within 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. Finlay's advertising initiatives and promotional planning are
closely  coordinated  with both host store  management  and Finlay's store group
management to ensure the effective use of Finlay's marketing  programs.  Vendors
participate  in  the   decision-making   process  with  respect  to  merchandise
assortment,  including the testing of new products,  marketing,  advertising and
stock levels.  By utilizing the Finlay Triangle,  opportunities  are created for
the vendor to assist in identifying  fashion trends thereby improving  inventory
turnover  and  profitability,  both for the  vendor  and  Finlay.  As a  result,
management believes it capitalizes on economies of scale by centralizing certain
activities,  such as vendor selection,  advertising and planning, while allowing
store management the flexibility to implement merchandising programs tailored to
the host store environments and clientele.



                                       6

<PAGE>
                               The Finlay Triangle
                               [GRAPHIC OMITTED]
 

     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.  New items are tested in specially selected
"predictor"  Departments  where sales  experience  can indicate an item's future
performance in Finlay's other Departments.  Management  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,
differentiating 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'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 to maintain stocks of traditional and gift merchandise.

Store Relationships

     Host Store  Relationships.  As of January 30, 1999,  Finlay  operated 1,109
locations (including 12 stand-alone stores) in 31 host store groups,  located in
45 states, the District of Columbia,  France,  England and Germany. By acquiring
Diamond Park in 1997,  Finlay added 139  Departments in three host store groups,
located in 19 states.  Finlay's largest host store relationship is with May, for
which  Finlay has  operated  Departments  since 1948.  Finlay  operates the fine
jewelry  departments  in all of May's 390  department  stores,  including Lord &
Taylor and Filene's.  Finlay's  second largest host store  relationship  is with
Federated, for which Finlay has operated Departments since 1983. Finlay operates
Departments in 153 of Federated's 401 department  stores,  including  Rich's and
Burdines.  Over the past three years,  store  groups owned by May and  Federated
accounted for an average of 46% and 21%, respectively, of Finlay's annual sales.

     Finlay also operates  Departments in numerous other host store groups, such
as  Belk  and  the  Carson  Pirie  Scott  and   Proffitt's   divisions  of  Saks
Incorporated. Management believes that it maintains excellent relations with its
host store  groups,  20 of which have had leases  with Finlay for more than five
years  (representing  79% of  Finlay's  sales in 1998) and 16 of which  have had
leases with Finlay for more than ten years  (representing  69% of Finlay's sales
in 1998).  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.  Management believes that the majority of its
lease agreements will continue to be renewed routinely.



                                       7

<PAGE>

     The  following  table  identifies  the host  store  groups in which  Finlay
operated   Departments   at  January  30,  1999,  the  year  in  which  Finlay's
relationship  with each host store group commenced and the number of Departments
operated by Finlay in each host store  group.  The table also  provides  similar
information  regarding Finlay's  international  Departments and its domestic and
international stand-alone locations.
 
                                                                 Number of
                                                 Inception of   Departments
Host Store Group/Location                        Relationship    /Stores
- -------------------------                        ------------   -----------
May
Robinsons-May..................................    1948            55
Filene's.......................................    1977            40
Lord & Taylor..................................    1978            73
Famous Barr/L.S. Ayres.........................    1979            38
Kaufmann's.....................................    1979            48
Foley's........................................    1986            57
Hecht's/Strawbridge's..........................    1986            71
Meier & Frank..................................    1988             8
   Total May Departments.......................                   ---        390

Federated
Riches/Lazarus/Goldsmith's.....................    1983           69
Burdines.......................................    1992           43
The Bon Marche.................................    1993           19
Stern's........................................    1994           22
   Total Federated Departments.................                  ---         153
 
Saks Incorporated
Younkers.......................................    1973           35
Carson Pirie Scott/Bergner's/Boston Store......    1977           50
Proffitt's.....................................    1991           15
Parisian.......................................    1997           34
   Total Saks Incorporated.....................                  ---         134

Other Domestic Departments
Crowley's/Steinbach (1)........................    1968           14
Gottschalks....................................    1969           32
Belk...........................................    1975           55
Liberty House..................................    1983           12
The Bon-Ton....................................    1986           42
Elder Beerman..................................    1992           35
Dillard's......................................    1997           62
Marshall Field's...............................    1997           21
   Total Other Domestic Departments............                  ---         273
                                                                           -----
   Total Domestic Departments..................                              950

International Departments (Sonab)
Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville......................    1994            6
Galeries Lafayette.............................    1994           34
Monoprix/Inno/Baze/Prisunic....................    1994           50
Nouvelles Galeries.............................    1994           54
Jeanteur.......................................    1996            1
Allders........................................    1998            1
Beatties.......................................    1998            1
   Total International Departments.............                  ---         147

Stand-Alone Stores
New York Jewelry Outlet........................    1994            9
New Gold (Sonab)...............................    1994            3
   Total Stand-Alone Stores....................                  ---          12
                                                                           -----
     Total Departments and Stand-Alone Stores..                            1,109
                                                                           =====
_________________________
(1)   The Company closed these Departments during February 1999.


                                       8

<PAGE>

     Terms of Lease  Agreements.  Finlay's  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 practice. Finlay's lease
agreements generally 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 1997, the Company  extended its lease  agreements with
Federated,  including  leases for  Departments  in  Burdines,  Rich's,  Lazarus,
Goldsmith's  and The Bon Marche  through  February  3,  2001,  and the lease for
Departments  in Stern's  through  February  1, 2003.  Sonab is in the process of
negotiating  extensions of its leases for Departments in the Galeries Lafayette,
Nouvelles Galeries and Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville store groups,  which leases are
presently scheduled to expire on December 31, 1999. 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).

     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. During the months of November and December, however, most
domestic  host store groups remit to Finlay 75% of the  estimated  months' sales
prior to or shortly  following  the end of that  month.  Finlay's  international
lease agreements  generally require host stores to remit sales proceeds for each
two-week period  (without  regard to whether such sales were cash,  store credit
card or national credit card) to Finlay approximately two weeks after the end of
such  period.  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.  The host store is  generally  responsible  for paying  utility  costs
(except  certain  telephone  charges),  maintenance  and certain other  expenses
associated with the operation of the  Departments.  All of the 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 require
Finlay to provide its employees with salaries and certain benefits comparable to
those received by the host store's employees.  Many of Finlay's 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 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  restrict Finlay from further  expansion within areas
where  it  currently  operates  Departments,  including  expansion  by  possible
acquisitions.  Certain domestic lease agreements, however, 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 a  prohibited  area.  For example,  May and  Federated  have
granted  consents of this type to Finlay with respect to one  another's  stores.
Further,  Finlay sought and received the consent of certain of its existing host
store groups in connection with the Diamond Park Acquisition.  In certain cases,
Finlay  has  found  that,   notwithstanding  the  absence  of  any  geographical
limitation in a lease  agreement,  it may be 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.



                                       9

<PAGE>

     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.

     Departments  Opened/Closed.  During  1998,  Department  openings  offset by
closings  resulted  in a net  decrease  of eight  Departments.  Included  in the
Departments  opened  and  closed  in  1998,  listed  below,  are 34  replacement
Departments  relating  primarily to Dillard's  purchase of the Mercantile Stores
and its  subsequent  sale of  certain  stores to  Finlay's  existing  host store
groups.  With the  exception  of two  Departments  opened in new store groups in
England,  the remaining 42 openings were all within  existing store groups.  The
majority  of  the  closings   occurred   within   existing  store  groups.   See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations--1998 Compared with 1997".

     The following table sets forth data regarding the number of Departments and
stand-alone stores which Finlay has operated from the
beginning of 1994:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             Fiscal Year Ended
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Jan. 28,     Feb. 3,      Feb. 1,     Jan. 31,    Jan. 30,
                                                          1995         1996         1997        1998         1999
                                                        ---------    --------    ---------    ---------   ---------
   Departments/Stores:
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>  
   Open at beginning of period....................          757         903          941          939        1,117
   Opened during period...........................          159          70           84          188           78
   Closed during period...........................          (13)        (32)         (86)         (10)         (86)
                                                        ---------    --------    ---------    ---------   ----------
   Open at end of period..........................          903         941          939        1,117        1,109
                                                        ---------    --------    ---------    ---------   ----------
   Net increase (decrease)........................          146          38           (2)         178           (8)
                                                        =========    ========    =========    =========   ==========
</TABLE>

     For the periods  presented in the table  above,  Department  closings  were
primarily   attributable  to:  ownership  changes  in  host  store  groups;  the
bankruptcy of certain host store groups;  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; host store
group 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  Seiko,  Citizen,  Movado and
Bulova. 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.  Sonab's watch  selection is
limited to private  label  watches  marketed  under Sonab's "New Gold" and "Gold
Line" names. In France, all other watch brands are sold by the host stores.




                                       10

<PAGE>

     The following  table sets forth the domestic  sales and percentage of sales
by category of merchandise for 1996, 1997 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                 Fiscal Year Ended
                                ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Feb. 1. 1997                 Jan. 31, 1998               Jan. 30, 1999
                                ---------------------------    ------------------------    -------------------------
                                                  % of                        % of                         % of
                                  Sales            Sales         Sales         Sales         Sales          Sales
                                -----------      ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
                                                               (Dollars in millions)
<S>                             <C>                 <C>        <C>              <C>        <C>               <C>  
   Gemstones.................   $   153.1           24.1%      $   169.0        23.4%      $   184.4         22.4%
   Gold......................       144.8           22.8           155.1        21.6           182.0         22.1
   Watches...................       114.3           18.0           126.3        17.6           147.0         17.9
   Diamonds..................       129.2           20.3           147.7        20.5           192.0         23.4
   Other (1).................        93.5           14.8           121.5        16.9           116.6         14.2
                                -----------      ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------     ----------
   Total Sales...............   $   634.9          100.0%      $   719.6       100.0%      $   822.0        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 1998, the average price of the items sold by Finlay was approximately
$161 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 has been to lower the working
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 in recent years, on average,
approximately  49%  of  Finlay's  domestic  merchandise  has  been  obtained  on
consignment  and certain  additional  inventory has been purchased with extended
payment terms. In 1998,  Finlay's net monthly investment in inventory (i.e., the
total cost of  inventory  owned and paid for)  averaged 38% of the total cost of
its on-hand  merchandise.  Finlay is generally 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 identifying  fashion trends,  thereby
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. In addition, Finlay's inventory exposure to
changing  fashion  trends is reduced  because,  in general,  unsold  consignment
merchandise can be returned to the vendor.

     Management  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  Finlay's  nationwide  distribution  network.  By  offering  their
merchandise  through  Finlay's  Departments,  vendors  are able to reach a broad
spectrum  of  the  marketplace in


                                       11

<PAGE>

coordination with national or regional  advertising  campaigns  conducted by the
vendors or their service organizations.

     In 1998, merchandise obtained by Finlay from its 40 largest vendors (out of
a total of approximately  325 vendors)  generated  approximately 77% of domestic
sales,   and  merchandise   obtained  from  Finlay's  largest  vendor  generated
approximately 11% of domestic sales. Finlay does not believe the loss of any one
of its vendors would have a material adverse effect on its business.

     In addition, Finlay's new central distribution facility, which became fully
operational  in the Spring of 1998,  has  enabled  Finlay to improve the flow of
merchandise  to  Departments  and,  during the latter part of 1998,  enabled the
Company to reduce payroll and freight costs.

     Gold Consignment  Agreement.  Finlay Jewelry is party to a gold consignment
agreement  (the "Gold  Consignment  Agreement"),  which  expires on December 31,
2001. The Gold Consignment  Agreement  enables Finlay to receive  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,  title to the gold content of the merchandise  transfers from
the  vendors to the gold  consignor.  Finlay can  obtain,  pursuant  to the Gold
Consignment  Agreement,  up to the lesser of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii)
$32.0  million  worth of gold,  subject to a formula as  prescribed  by the Gold
Consignment  Agreement.  At January 30, 1999, amounts outstanding under the Gold
Consignment  Agreement totaled 78,836 fine troy ounces,  valued at approximately
$22.5  million.  The  average  amount  outstanding  under  the Gold  Consignment
Agreement was $15.6 million in 1998.

     Under the Gold  Consignment  Agreement,  Finlay is  required to pay a daily
consignment fee on the dollar equivalent of the fine gold value of the ounces of
gold consigned thereunder. The daily consignment fee is based on a floating rate
which,  as of January 30, 1999, was  approximately  3.2% 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 less than $12.0 million.  In conjunction  with
the Gold  Consignment  Agreement,  Finlay  granted to the gold consignor a first
priority  perfected lien on, and a security  interest in, specified gold jewelry
of participating  vendors  approved under the Gold  Consignment  Agreement and a
lien on  proceeds  and  products  of such  jewelry  subject  to the  terms of an
intercreditor  agreement  between the gold  consignor and the  Revolving  Credit
Agreement lenders.

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 up to 260
staff hours per week on a permanent basis,  depending on the Department's  sales
volume,  and employ  additional  sales staff  during the peak  year-end  holiday
season.  Each  Department is 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.
See "--Store Relationships--Terms of Lease Agreements".

     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


                                       12

<PAGE>

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,  thereby  improving
customer  service and, as a result,  sales. For example,  Finlay  implemented an
interface  between store cash registers and Finlay's  central office,  which has
reduced administrative time.

     Finlay had average sales per linear foot of approximately  $11,600 in 1996,
$11,900 in 1997 and $12,100 in 1998. 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.  Finlay had average
sales per Department of approximately  $729,000,  $749,000 and $776,000 in 1996,
1997 and 1998, respectively.

     Management  Information  and  Inventory  Control  Systems.  Finlay  and its
vendors use the Company's management information systems 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
and  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. For a discussion of certain matters
regarding the year 2000 and Finlay's  information  technology  initiatives,  see
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources".

     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 1998, Finlay employed  approximately  8,700 persons in the
United  States and  approximately  600 persons in France,  England 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  8,700  domestic  employees,  approximately  3,800 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".  Management  believes that its relations with its employees are
good. Less than 1% of Finlay's domestic  employees are unionized.  Substantially
all of Finlay's employees in France are, however, unionized.

     Advertising.  Finlay promotes its products through  four-color  direct mail
catalogs,  using targeted mailing lists,  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  with host store groups require
Finlay  to  expend  certain  specified  minimum  percentages  of the  respective
Department's annual sales on advertising and promotional activities.



                                       13

<PAGE>

     Inventory  Loss  Prevention and Insurance.  Finlay  undertakes  substantial
efforts  to  safeguard  its  merchandise  from  loss  or  theft,  including  the
installation  of  safes  at each  location  and the  taking  of a daily  diamond
inventory.  During 1998,  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  management  believes are reasonable and adequate for the types and amounts
of merchandise carried by Finlay.

     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 the gold
consignor  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 may elect to fix
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 1998.  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 nine months and are generally  priced at the
spot gold price 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.  Finlay did not have any open  positions in futures
contracts for gold at January 31, 1998 or January 30, 1999.

     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 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
and monitored on a regular basis by Finlay's senior  management and its Board of
Directors.

Competition

     Finlay  faces  competition  for  retail  jewelry  sales from  national  and
regional jewelry chains,  other department  stores,  local  independently  owned
jewelry  stores  and  chains,  specialty  stores,  mass  merchandisers,  catalog
showrooms,  discounters,  direct mail suppliers, televised home shopping and the
internet.  Several of Finlay's  competitors  are  substantially  larger and have
greater financial resources than Finlay. Management 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.

     With respect to the operation of Departments  in host store groups,  Finlay
competes with a limited number of other established  Department lessees, such as
J.B. Rudolph, and department store chains.  Management 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.   See   "--Store
Relationships--Terms of Lease Agreements" with respect to certain limitations on
Finlay's ability to compete.



                                      14

<PAGE>

Seasonality

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

Item 2. Properties 

     The only real estate owned by Finlay is the central distribution  facility,
totaling 106,200 square feet at 205 Edison Avenue, Orange,  Connecticut.  Finlay
leases approximately 18,400 square feet at 521 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York,
and  49,100  square  feet at 529  Fifth  Avenue,  New  York,  New  York  for its
executive,  accounting,   advertising,  the  majority  of  its  data  processing
operations and other administrative  functions. The leases for such space expire
September 30, 2008. For certain  operations at 500 Eighth Avenue,  New York, New
York and 500 Fifth Avenue,  New York, New York, Finlay has leased  approximately
9,200 square feet under a lease which expires January 31, 2000 and approximately
3,600  square  feet under a lease which  expires  July 31,  2000,  respectively.
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 free of charge.

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".  Domestically,  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.
Although Finlay receives  inquiries from various state  authorities from time to
time,  management  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 1998.




                                       15

<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 1997 and 1998 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                       Fiscal Year Ended
                                                        -------------------------------------------------
                                                           January 31, 1998           January 30, 1999
                                                        ----------------------     ----------------------
                                                          High         Low            High          Low
                                                        ---------    ---------     ---------    ---------
<S>                                                     <C>  <C>     <C>  <C>      <C>  <C>     <C> 
    First Quarter.................................      $ 16-1/2     $ 13-3/4      $ 28-7/8     $ 23
    Second Quarter................................        18           15            27-3/8       21-3/4
    Third Quarter.................................        21-7/8       16-3/4        23-3/8        4-5/8
    Fourth Quarter................................        24-7/8       19-3/4        12            7
</TABLE>

     The Company has never paid cash  dividends  on its Common  Stock and has no
present intention to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable  future.  Certain
restrictive  covenants  in the  indentures  relating  to the  Senior  Notes (the
"Senior  Note   Indenture"),   the  Senior  Debentures  (the  "Senior  Debenture
Indenture",  and  collectively  the "Senior  Indentures"),  the Revolving Credit
Agreement and the Gold Consignment  Agreement impose  limitations on the payment
of dividends by the Company (including Finlay Jewelry's ability to pay dividends
to the Company).

     During 1998,  cash  dividends of $3.5  million were  distributed  by Finlay
Jewelry to the Company. The distributions are generally utilized to pay interest
on the Senior  Debentures  and certain  expenses  of the Company  such as legal,
accounting and directors' fees.

     As of April  23,  1999,  there  were  10,410,353  shares  of  Common  Stock
outstanding and  approximately 62 record holders of the Common Stock,  including
holders  who are  nominees  for an  undetermined  number of  beneficial  owners,
estimated  to be in excess of 500. The last  reported  sale price for the Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on April 23, 1999 was $11.88.
















                                       16

<PAGE>

Item 6. Selected Consolidated 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'. The balance sheet and
statement  of  operations  data of the Company at February 1, 1997,  January 31,
1998 and  January  30,  1999 and for each of the  fiscal  years  then ended were
derived from consolidated  financial statements of the Company, which statements
have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent  public  accountants,  as
indicated in their  report  included  elsewhere  herein.  The balance  sheet and
statement of operations  data of the Company at January 28, 1995 and February 3,
1996 and for each of the fiscal years then ended were derived from  consolidated
financial  statements  of the  Company,  which  statements  have been audited by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants,  and which are not included
or incorporated herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              Fiscal Year Ended (1)
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Jan. 28,        Feb. 3,       Feb. 1,      Jan. 31,      Jan. 30,
                                                           1995           1996          1997          1998          1999
                                                        ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>      
   Sales...........................................     $ 552,090      $ 654,491     $ 685,274     $ 769,862     $ 863,428
   Cost of sales...................................       261,263        314,029       330,300       371,085       421,450
                                                        ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Gross margin (2)................................       290,827        340,462       354,974       398,777       441,978
   Selling, general and administrative expenses....       240,274        282,504       290,138       324,777       364,652
   Depreciation and amortization...................         8,910          9,659        10,840        12,163        15,672
   Management transition and consulting
     expense (3)...................................         5,144          -             -             -             -
                                                        ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Income (loss) from operations...................        36,499         48,299        53,996        61,837        61,654
   Other nonrecurring income (4)...................         -             (5,000)        -             -             -
   Interest expense, net...........................        28,488         29,705        31,204        34,115        32,499
   Nonrecurring interest associated with
     refinancing (5)...............................         -              -             -             -               655
                                                        ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Income (loss) before income taxes and                                              
     extraordinary charges........................          8,011         23,594        22,792        27,722        28,500
   Provision (benefit) for income taxes............         5,280          9,343        11,035        12,527        11,986
                                                        ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Income (loss) before extraordinary charges......         2,731         14,251        11,757        15,195        16,514
   Extraordinary charges from early extinguishment
     of debt, net (6).............................          -              -             -             -             7,415
                                                        ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
   Net income (loss)...............................     $   2,731      $  14,251     $  11,757     $  15,195     $   9,099
                                                        ==========     ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========

   Net income (loss) applicable to common shares...     $    (601)     $   3,534     $  11,757     $  15,195     $   9,099
   Net income (loss) per share applicable to
     common shares:
     Basic net income (loss) per share:
       Before extraordinary charges................     $   (0.27)     $    0.55     $    1.59     $    1.89     $    1.61
       Extraordinary charges from early
         extinguishment of debt...................      $    -         $    -        $    -        $    -        $   (0.72)
       Net income (loss)...........................     $   (0.27)     $    0.55     $    1.59     $    1.89     $    0.89
     Diluted net income (loss) per share:
       Before extraordinary charges................     $   (0.25)     $    0.53     $    1.55     $    1.84     $    1.59
       Extraordinary charges from early
         extinguishment of debt...................      $    -         $    -        $    -        $    -        $   (0.72)
       Net income (loss)...........................     $   (0.25)     $    0.53     $    1.55     $    1.84     $    0.88
   Weighted average number of shares and share
     equivalents outstanding (000's)...............         2,395          6,640         7,570         8,276        10,366
</TABLE>



                                       17
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Fiscal Year Ended (1)
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Jan. 28,        Feb. 3,       Feb. 1,      Jan. 31,      Jan. 30,
                                                           1995           1996          1997          1998          1999
                                                        ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                                   (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Pro Forma Statement of Operations Data (7):
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>                                       <C>      
   Net income (loss) ..............................     $   7,493      $   9,725                                 $  16,914
   Net income (loss) per share applicable to
     common shares:
     Basic net income (loss) per share.............     $    1.03      $    1.32                                 $    1.65
     Diluted net income (loss) per share...........     $    1.00      $    1.29                                 $    1.63
Operating and Financial Data:
   Number of Departments (end of period) (8)........          903            941           939         1,117         1,109
   Percentage increase in sales.....................         9.2%          18.5%          4.7%         12.3%         12.2%
   Percentage increase in comparable Department
     sales (8)(9)...................................         4.5%           5.7%          5.9%          5.5%          3.9%
   Average sales per Department (8) (10)............    $     674      $     710     $     729     $     749     $     776
   EBITDA (11)......................................       45,409         57,958        64,836        74,000        77,326
   Capital expenditures.............................       11,228         14,933        17,533        19,338        14,874
Cash flows provided from (used in):
   Operating activities.............................    $  24,821      $  (5,302)    $  13,071     $  35,910     $  23,121
   Investing activities.............................      (12,362)       (16,515)      (18,154)      (78,915)      (23,134)
   Financing activities.............................      (10,521)        24,444            61        36,083         3,692
Balance Sheet Data-End of Period:
   Working capital..................................    $  27,362      $  66,395     $  77,616     $ 108,395     $ 147,337
   Total assets.....................................      340,764        395,145       421,273       508,236       543,992
   Short-term debt, including current portion of
     long-term debt.................................          576            206             2         -             -
   Long-term debt, excluding current portion........      201,217        202,905       211,427       221,026       225,000
   Series C Preferred Stock.........................       25,428          -             -             -             -
   Total stockholders' equity (deficit).............      (57,084)        12,784        22,505        72,339        99,811
</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:  $0.8 million,  $0.9 million,  $1.9
     million,  $(2.3) million and $(1.0) million for 1994,  1995, 1996, 1997 and
     1998, respectively.
(3)  Included  in  1994  are  compensation  and  benefits  for a  former  senior
     executive  totaling  $3.1  million  as a result of the  termination  of his
     employment agreement and other management transition and consulting expense
     totaling $2.0 million.
(4)  Included in 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million from a life insurance  policy
     Finlay maintained on a senior executive.
(5)  As a result of certain call requirements associated with the Old Debentures
     and the Old Notes,  Finlay had  outstanding,  both the new debt and the old
     debt for a period of thirty  days.  The net effect of the above,  offset by
     reduced  interest  expense on the  borrowings  under the  Revolving  Credit
     Agreement and interest income on excess cash balances, was $0.7 million.
(6)  The  extraordinary  charges  of $12.2  million  include  $7.1  million  for
     redemption  premiums  on the Old  Debentures  and the Old  Notes  and  $3.9
     million to write off deferred  financing and debt discount costs associated
     with the Old  Debentures  and the Old Notes.  The income tax benefit on the
     extraordinary charges totaled $4.8 million.
(7)  The pro forma  financial  information for 1994 and 1995 gives effect to the
     Initial Public Offering and related  transactions  as if such  transactions
     had occurred at the  beginning  of the  respective  periods.  The pro forma
     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  amouts 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.  The  pro  forma
     financial  information  for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999 excludes
     (i) the extraordinary charge of $12.2 million, on a pretax basis, described
     in Note 6  above,  and  (ii)  the  nonrecurring  interest  associated  with
     refinancing,  described  in Note 5  above.  Refer  to Note 12 of  Notes  to
     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.
                                       18

<PAGE>

(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 1994, EBITDA includes the effect of management
     transition and consulting expense totaling $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.  EBITDA
     should not be  construed as a substitute  for income from  operations,  net
     income  or cash  flow  from  operating  activities  (all as  determined  in
     accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles) for the purpose
     of analyzing  Finlay's operating  performance,  financial position and cash
     flows as EBITDA is not defined by generally accepted accounting principles.
     Finlay  has  presented  EBITDA,  however,  because it is  commonly  used by
     certain  investors  and  analysts to analyze and compare  companies  on the
     basis of  operating  performance  and to  determine a company's  ability to
     service  and/or  incur  debt.  Finlay's  computation  of EBITDA  may not be
     comparable to similar titled measures of other companies.

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

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

     Certain statements under this caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial  Condition and Results of Operations"  constitute  'forward-looking
statements" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
and the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act").  See
"Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements".

General

     Since 1995,  sales have  increased by $208.9 million to $863.4  million,  a
compound  annual growth rate of 9.7%,  while  comparable  Department  sales have
increased  by  5.9%,  5.5%  and  3.9% in  1996,  1997  and  1998,  respectively.
Comparable  Department sales include Departments open for the same months during
comparable periods. Domestic comparable Department sales during this same period
increased 6.0%, 5.7% and 5.4%. The increase in total sales during this period is
the  result  of (i)  adding  168 net new  Departments  and  stand-alone  stores,
including 139 Departments from the Diamond Park Acquisition, and (ii) increasing
comparable  Department sales.  Management  attributes its comparable  Department
sales increases  during this period to the following  Company  initiatives:  (i)
introducing  its "Key  Item"  and "Best  Value"  merchandising  programs,  which
provide a targeted  assortment of items at competitive  prices;  (ii) increasing
focus on holiday and  event-driven  promotions  as well as host store  marketing
programs;   (iii)  positioning  the  Company's  Departments  as  a  "destination
location" for fine jewelry; and (iv) implementing project PRISM (Promptly Reduce
Inefficiencies  and Sales Multiply),  a program designed to allow Finlay's sales
associates more time for customer sales and service.

     Gross margin as a percentage of sales has  decreased  from 51.8% in 1996 to
51.2% in 1998.  This decrease is  principally  the result of the Company's  "Key
Item" and "Best  Value"  programs,  which  produce  higher  sales  volume  and a
slightly  lower  gross  margin,  on  average,  than other  merchandise,  and the
integration  of the former  Diamond  Park  Departments  at a lower gross  margin
offset, in 1998, by the favorable impact of the LIFO method of inventory.

     Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses ("SG&A") as a percentage of
sales have decreased from 42.3% in 1996 to 42.2% in 1998.  Management attributes
this  improvement to (i) leveraging  operating  expenses through higher domestic
sales and (ii)  reducing  the level of certain  operating  expenses  through the
ongoing implementation of project PRISM. In 1998, the favorable SG&A improvement
was offset by additional expenses relating to the central distribution  facility
during its initial  start up phase and expenses  associated  with the  Company's
year 2000 remediation project. In addition, the leveraging of operating expenses
was negatively  impacted as a result of the slowdown of sales in France in 1998.
The


                                       19

<PAGE>

components  of  SG&A  include  payroll  expense,  lease  fees,  net  advertising
expenditures and other field and administrative expenses.

     As  a  result  of  the  1993   Recapitalization   and  the  1988  Leveraged
Recapitalization  (each as defined in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated  Financial
Statements),  the Company is highly leveraged and, as such, interest expense had
a significant  impact on the Company's  results of operations.  The  Refinancing
resulted in lower interest  rates on the Senior  Debentures and the Senior Notes
than the interest rates on the Old  Debentures  and the Old Notes.  As such, for
the 1998 period  subsequent to the retirement of the old debt,  interest expense
has been  favorably  impacted  as compared to 1997.  The  Company  also  records
approximately $3.6 million of goodwill amortization annually resulting primarily
from the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization and the Diamond Park Acquisition.

     Finlay entered the  international  fine jewelry retailing market in October
1994 by acquiring  Sonab,  which as of January 30, 1999 operated 147 Departments
and three  stand-alone  stores,  principally in France. In the second quarter of
1998,  Sonab began to experience lower sales trends due to the transition from a
promotional pricing strategy to an everyday low price strategy.  This change was
made as a result of Sonab reassessing its pricing policy following certain local
French court decisions. The adverse impact of such change continued through 1998
and is expected to continue at least through the third quarter of 1999.

Diamond Park Acquisition

     On October 6, 1997,  Finlay  completed the acquisition of certain assets of
Diamond  Park,  a leading  operator  of  Departments,  for  approximately  $63.0
million.  By acquiring Diamond Park, Finlay added 139 Departments that, in 1998,
contributed  in excess of $100  million  in sales and also  added new host store
relationships  with  Marshall  Field's,  Parisian and  Dillard's  (formerly  the
Mercantile  Stores).  Management  believes that, in addition to increasing sales
volume,  the Diamond Park  Acquisition will continue to improve Finlay's results
of operations  through the  leveraging of expenses and the  achievement of other
operating synergies.

Results of Operations

     The following table sets forth  operating  results as a percentage of sales
for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                 ------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Feb. 1,           Jan. 31,         Jan. 30,
                                                                    1997               1998             1999
                                                                 ------------      -------------     ------------
   Statement of Operations Data:
<S>                                                                   <C>              <C>               <C>   
   Sales....................................................          100.0%           100.0%            100.0%
   Cost of sales............................................           48.2             48.2              48.8
                                                                 ------------      -------------     ------------
     Gross margin...........................................           51.8             51.8              51.2
   Selling, general and administrative expenses.............           42.3             42.2              42.2
   Depreciation and amortization............................            1.6              1.6               1.8
                                                                 ------------      -------------     ------------
   Income (loss) from operations............................            7.9              8.0               7.2
   Interest expense, net....................................            4.6              4.4               3.8
   Nonrecurring interest associated with refinancing (1)                -                -                 0.1
                                                                 ------------      -------------     ------------
   Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
     charges................................................            3.3              3.6               3.3
   Provision for income taxes...............................            1.6              1.6               1.4
                                                                 ------------      -------------     ------------
   Income (loss) before extraordinary charges..............             1.7              2.0               1.9
   Extraordinary charges from early extinquishment of
     debt, net (2)..........................................            -                -                 0.8
                                                                 ------------      -------------     ------------
   Net income (loss)........................................            1.7%             2.0%              1.1%
                                                                 ============      =============     ============

                                       20

<PAGE>
                                 
   Other Supplemental Data:
   EBITDA (3)...............................................            9.5%             9.6%              9.0%
</TABLE>
______________________
(1)  See Note 5 to "Selected Consolidated Financial Data".
(2)  See Note 6 to "Selected Consolidated Financial Data".
(3)  EBITDA   represents   income  from  operations   before   depreciation  and
     amortization  expenses.  The Company  believes EBITDA  provides  additional
     information  for  determining  its  ability  to meet  future  debt  service
     requirements. See Note 11 to "Selected Consolidated Financial Data".

1998 Compared with 1997

     Sales.  Sales increased $93.6 million,  or 12.2%, in 1998 compared to 1997.
Comparable Department sales increased 3.9%. Domestic comparable Department sales
increased 5.4%.  Management  attributes  this increase in comparable  Department
sales primarily to the "Key Item" and "Best Value" merchandising programs and to
the marketing  initiatives  discussed above. Sales from the operation of net new
Departments  contributed $63.5 million,  primarily due to the acquisition of the
former Diamond Park  Departments.  This increase was offset by the net effect of
new  store  openings  and  closings  as well as the  timing  of such  Department
openings and closings.

     During 1998,  Finlay opened 78 Departments and closed 86  Departments.  The
Department openings were comprised of the following:

                                 Number of
                                Departments/
           Store Group             Stores                   Reason
- ------------------------------  -----------   ----------------------------------
Proffitt's/Parisian/Younkers..      12        Proffitt's/Parisian/Younkers' 
                                               purchase from Dillards.
Famous Barr/L.S. Ayres........       8        Famous Barr /L.S. Ayres' purchase 
                                               from Dillard's.
Belk..........................       7        Belk's purchase from Dillard's.
Foley's.......................       1        Foley's purchase from Dillard's.
Dillard's.....................       3        Dillard's purchase from Belk.
Monoprix......................       7        Expansion in France.
Allders.......................       1        New host store in England.
Beatties......................       1        New host store in England.
Other.........................      38        Department openings within 
                                   ---         existing store groups.
                                    78
                                   ===            
     
  The Department closings were comprised of the following:

                                 Number of
                                Departments/
           Store Group             Stores                  Reason
- ------------------------------  -----------   ----------------------------------
Mercantile Stores.............      28        Departments sold by Dillard's to 
                                               existing Finlay host store 
                                               groups subsequent to Dillard's
                                               acquisition of the Mercantile 
                                               Stores.  Included in openings 
                                               above.
Dillard's.....................       5         Previous Dillard's Departments 
                                                prior to Dillard's acquisition 
                                                of the Mercantile Stores.
Debenhams.....................       7         Mutual agreement to close.
Monoprix......................       9         Close smaller volume Departments.
Other.........................      37         Department closings within 
                                   ---          existing store groups.
                                    86
                                   ===



                                       21

<PAGE>

     Gross margin.  Gross margin  increased by $43.2 million in 1998 compared to
1997,  however,  as a  percentage  of sales,  gross  margin  decreased  by 0.6%,
primarily due to (i)  management's  efforts to increase  market  penetration and
market  share  through  its  pricing  strategy  and  (ii)  lower  gross  margins
experienced  by  the  former  Diamond  Park  Departments,  particularly  as  the
merchandise  acquired as part of the Diamond  Park  Acquisition  continued to be
sold in 1998.  During 1998,  the Company  benefited  from a decrease in the LIFO
provision  of $1.0  million,  which was lower  than the  benefit in 1997 of $2.3
million.

     Selling,  general and administrative expenses. SG&A totaled $364.7 million,
an increase of $39.9 million,  or 12.3%,  in 1998 compared to 1997 due primarily
to payroll  expense and lease fees associated with the increase in the Company's
sales.  The increased sales generated by the former Diamond Park Departments and
strong  domestic  comparable  Department  sales  enabled the Company to leverage
administrative  and certain  other  expenses.  Offsetting  this were higher than
anticipated  expenses relating to the central  distribution  facility during its
initial  start up phase and expenses  associated  with the  Company's  year 2000
remediation  project.  In addition,  the  leveraging  of operating  expenses was
negatively  impacted as a result of the slowdown of sales in France. As a result
of the factors  discussed  above,  SG&A as a percentage  of sales was  unchanged
compared to 1997.

     Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization  increased by
$3.5  million in 1998  compared  to 1997,  reflecting  $14.9  million in capital
expenditures  for the most recent twelve  months,  depreciation  on Finlay's new
central  distribution  facility  and  amortization  related to the Diamond  Park
Acquisition,  offset by the effect of certain assets becoming fully depreciated.
The  increase  in  fixed  assets  was  primarily  due  to  the  addition  of new
Departments and the renovation of existing Departments.

     Interest   expense,   net.  Interest  expense  decreased  by  $1.6  million
reflecting a lower  weighted  average  interest  rate (8.6% for 1998 compared to
10.1% for 1997) relating to the lower  interest  rates on the Senior  Debentures
and the Senior Notes as compared to the Old Debentures  and the Old Notes.  This
was partially  offset by an increase in average  borrowings  ($352.1 million for
1998 compared to $324.6 million for 1997). The increase in average borrowings is
a result of an increase in the outstanding  balance of the Old Debentures  prior
to the  redemption  date,  due to  the  accretion  of  interest  and  additional
indebtedness  outstanding  under the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  (adjusted to
exclude the timing impact of the call requirements on the Old Debentures and the
Old Notes, discussed below).

     Nonrecurring  interest associated with refinancing.  As a result of certain
call requirements associated with the Old Debentures and the Old Notes, the debt
could not be repaid  until May 26,  1998.  Thus,  for  thirty  days,  Finlay was
required to maintain as  outstanding  both the new debt issued on April 24, 1998
as well as the old debt retired on May 26, 1998.  The net effect of carrying the
new and old debt, offset by reduced interest expense on the borrowings under the
Revolving Credit  Agreement and interest income on excess cash balances,  was an
increase to interest expense of $0.7 million.

     Provision  for income  taxes.  The income tax  provision  for 1998 and 1997
reflects an effective tax rate of 40.5% and 41.5%, respectively.

     Extraordinary  charges from early extinguishment of debt, net of income tax
benefit.  In  conjunction  with the repayment of the Old  Debentures and the Old
Notes,  the Company  recorded a pre-tax  extraordinary  charge of $12.2 million,
including  $7.1  million for  redemption  premiums and $3.9 million to write off
deferred  financing and debt discount costs  associated  with the Old Debentures
and the Old Notes. The income tax benefit on the  extraordinary  charges totaled
$4.8 million.




                                       22

<PAGE>

     Net income.  Net income of $9.1  million for 1998  represents a decrease of
$6.1  million as compared to net income of $15.2  million in 1997 as a result of
the factors discussed above.  Income before  extraordinary  charges increased by
$1.3 million to $16.5 million in 1998.  Excluding the nonrecurring  interest and
extraordinary  charges,  pro forma net income increased by $1.7 million to $16.9
million.

1997 Compared with 1996

     Sales.  Sales increased $84.6 million,  or 12.3%, in 1997 compared to 1996.
Comparable Department sales increased 5.5%. Domestic comparable Department sales
increased 5.7%.  Management  attributes  this increase in comparable  Department
sales primarily to the "Key Item" and "Best Value" merchandising programs and to
the marketing  initiatives  discussed above.  Sales increased $46.9 million as a
result of the net new store  openings,  primarily due to the  acquisition of the
former Diamond Park Departments.

     During 1997, Finlay opened 188 Departments and closed ten Departments.  The
Department openings were comprised of the following:

                             Number of
                            Departments/
          Store Group          Stores                      Reason
- -------------------------   -----------   ------------------------------------
Mercantile Stores........       90         Diamond Park Acquisition.
Marshall Field's.........       21         Diamond Park Acquisition.
Parisian.................       28         Diamond Park Acquisition.
Monoprix.................       16         Expansion in France.
Other....................       33         Department openings within existing 
                               ---           store groups.
                               188
                               ===

     These openings were offset by ten  Departments  closed within existing host
store groups.

     Gross margin.  Gross margin  increased by $43.8 million in 1997 compared to
1996 and, as a percentage of sales, gross margin was unchanged compared to 1996.
During 1997, the Company benefited from a decrease in the LIFO provision as well
as the inclusion of the results of the former  Diamond Park  Departments,  which
contributed $26.4 million to the Company's gross margin,  offset by management's
efforts to increase  market  penetration  and market  share  through its pricing
strategy.

     Selling,  general and administrative expenses. SG&A totaled $324.8 million,
an increase of $34.6 million,  or 11.9%,  in 1997 compared to 1996 due primarily
to payroll  expense and lease fees associated with the increase in the Company's
sales. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased by 0.1% in 1997 compared to 1996
as a result of the leveraging of these expenses.

     Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization  increased by
$1.3  million in 1997  compared  to 1996,  reflecting  $19.3  million in capital
expenditures for the most recent twelve months,  offset by the effect of certain
assets  becoming fully  depreciated.  The increase in fixed assets was primarily
due  to  the  addition  of  new  Departments  and  the  renovation  of  existing
Departments.

     Interest  expense,  net. Interest expense increased by $2.9 million in 1997
compared to 1996,  reflecting an increase in average  borrowings ($324.6 million
for 1997 compared to $283.3 million for 1996) primarily as a result of financing
the Diamond Park  Acquisition and an increase in the outstanding  balance of the
Old  Debentures  due to the  accretion  of  interest.  The  increase  in average
borrowings was partially offset by a lower weighted average interest rate (10.1%
for 1997 compared to 10.3% for 1996).




                                       23

<PAGE>



     Provision  for income  taxes.  The income tax  provision  for 1997 and 1996
reflects an effective tax rate of 41.5%.

     Net income.  Net income of $15.2 million for 1997 represents an increase of
$3.4  million as compared to net income of $11.8  million in 1996 as a result of
the factors discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Finlay's  primary capital  requirements are 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,  renovating
existing Departments and information technology  investments.  For 1998, capital
expenditures  totaled  $14.9 million and in 1997 totaled  $19.3  million,  which
included  construction  costs  related  to the  Company's  central  distribution
facility.  Total capital expenditures for 1999 are estimated to be approximately
$15.0 million.  Although  capital  expenditures  are limited by the terms of the
Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  to date this  limitation  has not  precluded  the
Company from satisfying its capital expenditure requirements.
 
     Finlay's  operations  substantially  preclude  customer  receivables and in
recent years, on average, approximately 49% of Finlay's domestic merchandise has
been carried on consignment.  Accordingly,  management  believes that relatively
modest  levels of working  capital  are  required  in  comparison  to many other
retailers.  The Company's  working capital balance was $147.3 million at January
30, 1999,  an increase of $38.9  million  from  January 31,  1998.  The increase
resulted   primarily  from  the  impact  of  1998's  net  income   exclusive  of
depreciation  and  amortization,  the  recording  of an  income  tax  receivable
relating to the prepayment of accreted  interest on the Old Debentures,  the net
proceeds  to the  Company  from the  1998  Offering  and the sale of the  Senior
Debentures and the Senior Notes, partially offset by the use of such proceeds to
prepay the Old Debentures and the Old Notes and capital  expenditures.  Based on
the seasonal  nature of Finlay's  business,  working  capital  requirements  and
therefore  borrowings  under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement can be expected to
increase on an interim basis during the first three quarters of any given fiscal
year. See "--Seasonality'.

     The seasonality of Finlay's business causes working capital requirements to
reach their  highest  level in the months of October,  November  and December in
anticipation of the year-end  holiday season.  Accordingly,  Finlay  experiences
seasonal cash needs as inventory  levels peak.  The Revolving  Credit  Agreement
provides Finlay with a line of credit of up to $275.0 million to finance working
capital needs.  Amounts  outstanding  under the Revolving  Credit Agreement bear
interest at a rate equal to, at Finlay's option,  (i) the Index Rate (as defined
in the Revolving  Credit  Agreement)  plus a margin ranging from zero to 1.0% or
(ii)  adjusted  LIBOR  plus a margin  ranging  from  1.0% to 2.0%,  in each case
depending on the financial performance of the Company.

     In each year, Finlay is required to reduce the outstanding revolving credit
balance and letter of credit  balance  under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement to
$50.0  million  or less  and  $20.0  million  or  less,  respectively,  for a 30
consecutive day period (the "Balance Reduction  Requirement").  Borrowings under
the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  at January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998 were
zero. The average amounts  outstanding  under the Revolving Credit Agreement for
1997 and 1998 were $107.7 million and $123.8 million (adjusted for the impact of
the  temporary  paydown of the  revolving  credit  facility  due to certain call
requirements   associated   with  the  Old   Debentures   and  the  Old  Notes),
respectively. The maximum amount outstanding for 1998 was $176.0 million.

     Significant  additional  working capital has not been required with respect
to the operation of the former Diamond Park Departments because Finlay purchased
the  inventory  of the Diamond Park  Departments.  Inventory  purchases  for the
former  Diamond Park  Departments  will continue to be


                                       24

<PAGE>

financed in part by trade  payables  combined with an increased  utilization  of
consignment inventory compared to the amount of consignment  merchandise on hand
at the time of the Diamond Park Acquisition.  As such,  management believes that
working capital  requirements  for the former Diamond Park Departments have been
reduced as compared to the amount of working capital required at the time of the
Diamond Park Acquisition.

     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.  As of January  30,  1999,  $283.8
million of consignment merchandise from approximately 300 vendors was on hand as
compared to $219.8 million at January 31, 1998. For 1998,  Finlay had an average
balance of  consignment  merchandise of $268.5 million as compared to an average
balance  of $216.5  million in 1997.  See  "Business--Store  Relationships"  and
"Business--Purchasing and Inventory'.

     A substantial  amount of Finlay's operating cash flow has been used or will
be required to pay,  directly or  indirectly,  interest  with respect to the Old
Debentures,  the Old Notes, the Senior Debentures,  the Senior Notes and amounts
due under the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  including  the  payments  required
pursuant to the Balance Reduction Requirement.  As of January 30, 1999, Finlay's
outstanding  borrowings  were $225.0  million,  which  included a $75.0  million
balance  under the Senior  Debentures  and a $150.0  million  balance  under the
Senior Notes.  On May 1, 1998,  the Company  prepaid all of the $39.0 million of
accreted  interest on the Old Debentures as of such date. The Company  exercised
its  option  to prepay  all such  accreted  interest  to take  advantage  of the
resulting tax benefit relating to the  deductibility of such prepayment in 1998.
In addition, on May 26, 1998, Finlay redeemed the outstanding principal amounts,
including associated  premiums,  of the Old Debentures and the Old Notes. Finlay
funded the  prepayment and the  redemptions  using the proceeds from the sale of
the Senior  Debentures,  the 1998  Offering  and the sale of the  Senior  Notes,
together with other  available  funds.  In connection with the redemption of the
Old Debentures and the Old Notes,  the Company  recorded a pre-tax  nonrecurring
charge of  approximately  $12.2  million,  including $7.1 million for redemption
premiums  and $3.9  million to write off deferred  financing  and debt  discount
costs associated with the Old Debentures and the Old Notes.

     Finlay Jewelry is party to the Gold Consignment Agreement, which expires on
December 31, 2001.  The Gold  Consignment  Agreement  enables  Finlay Jewelry to
receive  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) $32.0  million  worth of
gold, subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment  Agreement.  At
January 30,  1999,  amounts  outstanding  under the Gold  Consignment  Agreement
totaled 78,836 fine troy ounces,  valued at  approximately  $22.5  million.  The
average  amount  outstanding  under  the Gold  Consignment  Agreement  was $15.6
million in 1998.

     Many of  Finlay's  existing  computer  systems,  software  products,  other
systems using embedded chips  ("non-information  technology  systems") and third
party  systems,  accept  only two entries in the date field to  distinguish  the
year.  Beginning  in the year 2000,  these date  fields will need to accept four
digit entries, or properly handle two digit entries, to distinguish 21st century
dates from 20th century dates. As a result, Finlay's date critical functions may
be adversely  affected unless the computer systems and software products of both
Finlay and significant third parties are or become year 2000 compliant.

     A comprehensive  plan is being executed to ensure that all systems critical
to the operation of the Company are year 2000 compliant.  The plan is structured
into five primary phases: identification,  assessment,  remediation, testing and
implementation.  The Company has completed  the  identification  and  assessment
phases of all critical  components and is in the remediation  phase. The Company
expects  that


                                       25

<PAGE>

the testing and  implementation  phases of all internal  systems,  including its
non-information technology systems, will be completed by August 1999.

     Finlay is using,  and will continue to use, a  combination  of internal and
external  resources  to execute  its year 2000  project  plan.  The  Company has
estimated   that  the  costs  related  to  its  year  2000  efforts  will  total
approximately  $4.0 million,  of which  approximately  $1.9 million was spent in
1998.  Finlay will incur the  balance of these  costs  during 1999 and will fund
such costs through operating cash flows.

     During 1998, the Company began formal  communications  with all of its host
stores,  vendors and other third parties in an effort to determine the extent to
which the  Company  may be  vulnerable  to the  failure of their  systems and to
obtain year 2000  compliance  certification.  To date, none of the third parties
that have responded have raised any year 2000 issues which the Company  believes
would have a material  adverse effect on Finlay.  The Company will continue this
communication process during 1999.

     Management expects that with the successful implementation of the year 2000
project,  the year 2000 issue will not pose  significant  operational  problems.
There can be no assurance,  however,  that Finlay's systems and software will be
rendered year 2000 compliant in a timely  manner,  or that Finlay will not incur
significant  unforeseen  additional  expenses  to ensure  such  compliance.  The
consequences of a disruption of the Company's operations,  whether caused by the
Company's internal systems or those of any significant third party, could have a
material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  financial  position  or  results of
operations.  The likely worst case  scenario  may be an inability to  distribute
merchandise to the Company's  Departments  and to process its daily business for
some period of time.  The lost  revenues,  if any,  resulting  from a worst case
scenario  would depend on the time period in which the failure goes  uncorrected
and the difficulty to remediate such failure.

     Management  recognizes the  importance of developing a contingency  plan in
the event of a year 2000 failure, the development of which is in progress and is
expected to be completed by the third quarter of 1999.  The Company is currently
gathering  data in an effort to assess the  potential  effects on the  Company's
mission  critical  functions of a failure of the Company's  year 2000 plan to be
fully effective and, to the extent deemed appropriate,  to address such effects.
In addition,  progress reports on the year 2000 project are presented  regularly
to senior management and the Company's Board of Directors.
 
     During 1998, the Company began several information technology  initiatives,
including  the  design and  development  of a new  merchandising  system and the
upgrade of  point-of-sale  systems  and  related  hardware  in the  majority  of
Finlay's departments.  These projects will serve to support future growth of the
Company as well as provide improved analysis and reporting  capabilities and are
expected to be completed in mid-2000. The cost associated with these projects is
estimated  to be $11.0  million for  software and  implementation  costs,  to be
included in Deferred charges and other assets,  and  approximately  $3.0 million
for  hardware  and related  equipment,  to be  included  as a  component  of the
Company's  capital  expenditures  and reflected in Fixed assets.  At January 30,
1999,  approximately  $4.1 million was expended and included in Deferred charges
and other assets.

     Section 382 of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended (the "Code")
restricts  utilization  of net operating  loss ("NOLs")  carryforwards  after an
ownership  change  exceeding  50%. As a result of the 1993  Recapitalization,  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,
1998 (the Company's tax year end), a NOL for tax purposes of approximately $11.5
million  which is subject to an annual limit of  approximately  $2.0 million per
year. However, for financial reporting purposes, no NOL exists as of January 30,
1999.


                                       26

<PAGE>

     From time to time, Finlay 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 its 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 year ended  January 30, 1999,  the gain or loss on
open  futures  contracts  was not  material.  The  Company did not have any open
positions in futures  contracts  for gold at January 30,  1999.  There can be no
assurance  that these  hedging  techniques  will be  successful  or that hedging
transactions  will not adversely  affect the Company's  results of operations or
financial position.

     Finlay believes that, based upon current  operations,  anticipated  growth,
and availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement,  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.
Currently,  Finlay Jewelry's  principal financing  arrangements  restrict annual
distributions  from Finlay  Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay  Jewelry's
net sales for the  preceding  fiscal  year and also allow  distributions  to the
Company to enable it to make  interest  payments on the Senior  Debentures.  The
amounts required to satisfy the aggregate of Finlay  Jewelry's  interest expense
and required  amortization  payments totaled $23.4 million and $28.1 million for
1997 and 1998, respectively.

SEASONALITY

     Finlay's  business is highly  seasonal,  with a significant  portion of its
sales and income from  operations  generated  during the fourth  quarter of each
year, which includes the year-end holiday season.  The fourth quarter  accounted
for an average of 42% of Finlay's  sales and 82% of its income  from  operations
for 1996,  1997 and 1998.  Finlay has  typically  experienced  net losses in the
first three quarters of its fiscal year.  During these periods,  working capital
requirements   have  been  funded  by  borrowings  under  the  Revolving  Credit
Agreement.  Accordingly,  the results for any of the first three quarters of any
given fiscal year, taken individually or in the aggregate, are not indicative of
annual results. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company.

     The Company's  Sales and Income (loss) from  operations for each quarter of
1996, 1997 and 1998 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Fiscal Quarter
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         First            Second           Third          Fourth
                                                    --------------     ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                        (dollars in thousands)
  1996:
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>        
    Sales.......................................    $   130,719      $   137,188      $   136,140     $   281,227
    Income (loss) from operations...............            347            6,124            4,366          43,159
  1997:
    Sales.......................................        134,592          148,060          148,770         338,440
    Income (loss) from operations...............            950            6,585            3,999          50,303
  1998:
    Sales.......................................        160,992          177,366          165,894         359,176
    Income (loss) from operations...............          2,146            6,152            1,844          51,512
</TABLE>

Inflation

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

                                       27

<PAGE>


Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     This Annual  Report on Form 10-K ("Form  10-K")  includes  "forward-looking
statements"  within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section
21E of the Exchange  Act. All  statements  other than  statements  of historical
information  provided  herein are  forward-looking  statements  and may  contain
information  about  financial  results,  economic  conditions,  trends and known
uncertainties.  The forward-looking  statements  contained herein are subject to
certain  risks and  uncertainties  that  could  cause  actual  results to differ
materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.  Factors that
might cause such a difference  include,  but are not limited to, those discussed
under  "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of  Operations",  as well as trends in the general  economy in the United States
and France,  competition in the retail jewelry business,  the seasonality of the
retail jewelry business, the Company's ability to increase comparable Department
sales and to open new Departments, the Company's estimate of the cost to address
year 2000 compliance issues and the impact on the Company's operations of a year
2000 failure,  the Company's  dependence on certain host store relationships due
to the concentration of sales generated by such host stores, the availability to
the Company of alternate sources of merchandise  supply in the case of an abrupt
loss of any significant  supplier,  the Company's  ability to continue to obtain
substantial amounts of merchandise on consignment,  the Company's  dependence on
key officers,  the Company's  ability to integrate future  acquisitions into its
existing business, the Company's high degree of leverage and the availability to
the Company of financing and credit on favorable terms and changes in regulatory
requirements which are applicable to the Company's business.

     Readers  are  cautioned  not to rely on these  forward-looking  statements,
which reflect management's analysis,  judgment, belief or expectation only as of
the date hereof.  The Company  undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these
forward-looking  statements to reflect events or circumstances  that arise after
the date hereof. In addition to the disclosure contained herein,  readers should
carefully  review any disclosure of risks and  uncertainties  contained in other
documents the Company  files or has filed from time to time with the  Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the Exchange Act.

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     The Company is exposed to market risk  primarily  through the interest rate
on its borrowings  under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  which has a variable
interest rate. In seeking to minimize the risks from interest rate fluctuations,
the  Company  manages  exposures  through its regular  operating  and  financing
activities.  In addition,  the majority of the  Company's  borrowings  are under
fixed  rate  arrangements,  as  described  in Note 4 of  Notes  to  Consolidated
Financial Statements, and as such, there was no material market risk exposure to
the  Company's  financial  position,  results of  operations or cash flows as of
January 30, 1999.








                                       28

<PAGE>

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
Finlay Enterprises, Inc.

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

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended February 1, 1997,
 January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.......................................F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999......F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
 February 1, 1997, January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.....................F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 1, 1997, 
 January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.......................................F-6

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

Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation

Report of Independent Public Accountants....................................F-26

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended February 1, 1997, 
 January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999......................................F-27

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.....F-28

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the years 
 ended February 1, 1997, January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999..............F-29

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 1, 1997, 
 January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999......................................F-30

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................F-31


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.
















                                       29

<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
- ---------------------------    -----   ----------------------------------------
Arthur E. Reiner...........     58     Chairman  of  the  Board,   President  
                                        and  Chief  Executive Officer  of  the  
                                        Company,   Chairman  and  Chief  
                                        Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry 
                                        and Director
Joseph M. Melvin...........     48     Executive Vice President and Chief 
                                        Operating  Officer of the Company and 
                                        President and Chief Operating  Officer 
                                        of Finlay Jewelry
Leslie A. Philip...........     52     Executive Vice President and Chief 
                                        Merchandising  Officer of the Company 
                                        and Finlay Jewelry
Barry D. Scheckner.........     49     Senior Vice  President  and Chief  
                                        Financial  Officer of the Company and 
                                        Finlay Jewelry
David B. Cornstein.........     60     Director
Rohit M. Desai.............     60     Director
James Martin Kaplan........     54     Director
Thomas H. Lee..............     55     Director
Norman S. Matthews.........     66     Director
Hanne M. Merriman..........     57     Director
Warren C. Smith, Jr........     42     Director

     The Company,  and an affiliate of Thomas H. Lee Company  (together with its
affiliate  transferees,  the "Lee  Investors"),  partnerships  managed  by Desai
Capital  Management  Incorporated  (collectively,  the  "Desai  Investors")  and
certain members of management  (the  "Management  Stockholders"),  together with
certain  third  parties,   are  parties  to  a   Stockholders'   Agreement  (the
"Stockholders'  Agreement") which 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 eight and to vote in favor
of six directors who will be nominated as follows: two by the Lee Investors; one
by the Desai  Investors;  two by Mr. Cornstein (one of whom must be a management
employee of the Company);  and one by Mr. Reiner. The nomination and election of
the  remaining  two  directors is not governed by the  Stockholders'  Agreement,
although the  Stockholders'  Agreement  does require that such  directors not be
parties to the Stockholders' Agreement.

     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. As
a result of the 1998  Offering,  the number of directors  that the Lee Investors
have  the  right to  nominate  was  reduced  from  two to one.  Pursuant  to the
Stockholders' Agreement (i) Messrs. Lee and Smith were nominated to the Board of
Directors as the designees of the Lee Investors, (ii) Mr. Desai was nominated by
the Desai  Investors,  (iii) Messrs.  Cornstein and Kaplan were nominated by Mr.
Cornstein and (iv) Mr. Reiner nominated himself.

     The 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 


                                       30

<PAGE>

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,  Kaplan and Reiner.  See
information    under   the   caption   "Certain    Relationships   and   Related
Transactions--Stockholders" Agreement to be included in the Company's definitive
Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A ("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 and Ms. Merriman are Class III directors.  The terms
of the Class I, Class II and Class III directors expire at the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held in 1999, 2000 and 2001, 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. For serving as a director of the Company, Mr. Matthews and Ms. Merriman
each  receive  aggregate  compensation  at the rate of  $20,000  per  year.  Ms.
Merriman  also  receives a fee of $1,000 for each  regular and  special  meeting
attended and a fee of $500 for each  committee  meeting  attended.  In addition,
effective  March 1, 1999, Mr.  Matthews was granted  options under the 1997 Long
Term Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan") to purchase  20,000 shares of Common Stock
at a price of $8.50 per  share,  vesting  20% per year  commencing  on the first
anniversary of the date of grant, and Ms. Merriman was granted options under the
1997 Plan to  purchase  5,000  shares  of  Common  Stock at a price of $8.50 per
share,  vesting on the first  anniversary of the date of grant.  See information
under  the  caption  "Election  of  Directors--Directors'  Compensation"  to  be
included in the Proxy  Statement.  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).  Mr.  Reiner  has an
employment  contract with Finlay,  and a company as to which Mr.  Cornstein is a
principal receives  compensation from Finlay pursuant to a consulting agreement.
See information under the caption "Executive  Compensation--Employment and Other
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, together
with their periods of service as directors and executive officers of the Company
and Finlay Jewelry, are set forth below.

     Arthur E. Reiner became Chairman of the Company effective  February 1, 1999
and, from January 1995 to such date, served as Vice Chairman of the Company. Mr.
Reiner has also served as President and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company
since January 30, 1996 and as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive  Officer
of Finlay Jewelry since January 3, 1995. Prior to joining Finlay, Mr. Reiner had
spent over 30 years with the Macy's organization.  From February 1992 to October
1994,  Mr.  Reiner was  Chairman and Chief  Executive  Officer of Macy's East, a
subsidiary  of Macy's.  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  is  also a  director  of
Loehmann's, Inc.

     Joseph M.  Melvin was  appointed  as  Executive  Vice  President  and Chief
Operating  Officer of the Company and President and Chief  Operating  Officer of
Finlay  Jewelry on May 1, 1997.  From  September  1975 to March 1997, Mr. Melvin
served in various  positions  with May,  including,  from 1990 to March 1997, as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Filene's.



                                       31

<PAGE>

     Leslie A. Philip has been Executive Vice President and Chief  Merchandising
Officer of the Company and Finlay  Jewelry since May 1997.  From May 1995 to May
1997, Ms. Philip was Executive Vice  President-Merchandising and Sales Promotion
of  Finlay   Jewelry. 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 February
1983 through  December 1988, Mr.  Scheckner held various  finance and accounting
positions with Finlay's predecessors.

     David B.  Cornstein  has been  Chairman  Emeritus of the Company  since his
retirement from day-to-day  involvement with the Company  effective  January 31,
1999.  He served as Chairman of the Company from May 1993 until his  retirement,
and has been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry since their  inception
in December 1988.  Mr.  Cornstein is a Principal of Pinnacle  Advisors  Limited,
which has served as a consultant to Finlay since  February  1999.  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 a  predecessor  of the Company.  Mr.
Cornstein is a director of TeleHubLink Corporation.

     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 Private Equity Investors III, L.P. 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 and the managing
member of the general  partner of Private  Equity  Investors III, L.P. Mr. Desai
serves  as  a  director  of  The  Rouse  Company,  Sunglass  Hut  International,
Incorporated and Independence Community Bank Corp.

     James Martin Kaplan has been a director of the Company,  Finlay Jewelry and
their predecessors since 1985. Mr. Kaplan is a partner of the law firm of Tenzer
Greenblatt  LLP,  counsel to the Company,  which he joined in 1998. From 1977 to
1998,  Mr. Kaplan was a partner with the law firm of Zimet,  Haines,  Friedman &
Kaplan, former counsel to the Company.

     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 First Security  Services  Corporation,  Livent Inc., Miller Import
Corporation, Safelite Glass Corporation and Vail Resorts, Inc.

     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., Lechters,  Inc. and EyeCare Centers of America,
Inc.
    



                                       32

<PAGE>

     Hanne M. Merriman was elected a director of the Company and Finlay  Jewelry
in December 1997. Ms. Merriman is the Principal in Hanne Merriman Associates,  a
retail  business  consulting  firm.  She is also a director of US Airways Group,
Inc., Ameren Corp.,  Central Illinois Public Service Company,  State Farm Mutual
Automobile  Insurance Company,  The Rouse Company, Ann Taylor Stores Corporation
and T. Rowe Price Mutual  Funds.  She is a member of the National  Women's Forum
and a director of the  Children's  Hospital  Foundation  (part of the Children's
National Medical Center).

     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 THL Equity Trust, a general partner of THL Equity
Advisors  Limited  Partnership,  the  general  partner  of Thomas H. Lee  Equity
Partners, L.P. He is also a director of Rayovac Corporation, Eye Care Centers of
America, Inc. and Just For Feet, Inc.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

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




























                                       33

<PAGE>

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

     The following  table sets forth  information  as to each person who, to the
knowledge of the Company, as of April 26, 1999, was the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Shares of Common Stock
                                                                            Beneficially owned (1)
                                                                      -----------------------------------
                                                                        Number of            Percentage
                                Name                                     Shares               of Class
 ---------------------------------------------------------------      --------------        -------------

<S>           <C>                                                          <C>                   <C> 
 Thomas H. Lee(2)...............................................           984,340               9.5%
 Becker Capital Management, Inc.(3).............................           853,600               8.2%
 Mellon Bank Corporation(4).....................................           748,320               7.2%
 Rohit M. Desai(5)..............................................           704,412               6.8%
 David B. Cornstein(6)..........................................           635,439               6.1%
 FMR  Corp(7)...................................................           565,000               5.4%
 Neuberger Berman, LLC(8).......................................           534,400               5.1%
</TABLE>
    _______________________
(1)  Except as noted below, each beneficial owner has sole voting power and sole
     investment power, subject (in the case of Messrs. Lee, Desai and Cornstein)
     to the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement.
 
(2)  Includes  884,455  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 99,885  shares of Common  Stock held of
     record by 1989  Thomas H. Lee  Nominee  Trust (the  "Nominee  Trust"),  979
     shares of which are subject to options granted to others. Mr. Lee's address
     is c/o Thomas H. Lee Company,  L.L.C.,  590 Madison  Avenue,  New York, New
     York 10022.
 
(3)  According  to a  Schedule  13G  dated  February  10,  1999  filed  with the
     Commission  by Becker  Capital  Management,  Inc., a registered  investment
     advisor  ("Becker"),  the  indicated  number of shares is owned by advisory
     clients of Becker;  Becker has sole  voting  and  dispositive  powers  with
     respect to all of such shares, but disclaims  beneficial ownership thereof.
     The address for Becker  Capital  Management,  Inc. is 1211 SW Fifth Avenue,
     Suite 2185, Portland, Oregon 97204.
 
(4)  According  to a  Schedule  13G  dated  February  4,  1999  filed  with  the
     Commission by Mellon Bank Corporation  ("Mellon Bank"), (i) Mellon Bank has
     sole  power to vote  679,920  shares  and sole  power to dispose of 685,120
     shares,  and shares  power to vote no shares and shares power to dispose of
     63,200 shares, and (ii) each of Boston Group Holdings,  Inc. and The Boston
     Company,  Inc.  has sole  power to vote  494,250  shares  and sole power to
     dispose  of 499,450  shares  and shares  power to vote no shares and shares
     power to dispose of 63,200 shares.  According to such Schedule 13G,  Boston
     Group Holdings,  Inc. is a subsidiary of Mellon Bank and is also the parent
     holding company of The Boston  Company,  Inc. All of the shares reported in
     the  Schedule  13G are  beneficially  owned by  Mellon  Bank and  direct or
     indirect subsidiaries, including Boston Group Holdings, Inc. and The Boston
     Company,  Inc.,  in their  various  fiduciary  capacities.  The address for
     Mellon Bank Corporation is One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
     15258.

(5)  Includes  704,412  shares of Common  Stock held of record by  Equity-Linked
     Investors-II  ("ELI-II").  ELI-II is a  limited  partnership,  the  general
     partner of which is Rohit M. Desai Associates-II. As general partner, Rohit
     M.  Desai  Associates-II  has  the  power  to vote  and  dispose  of  these
     securities.  Rohit M.  Desai is the  managing  general  partner of Rohit M.
     Desai  Associates-II.  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-II.  Under  the  investment
     advisory agreements between DCMI and ELI-II,  decisions as to the voting or
     disposition  of these  securities  may be made by DCMI.  DCMI and Mr. Desai
     disclaim beneficial  ownership of the securities.  The address of Mr. Desai
     and  ELI-II is c/o  Desai  Capital  Management  Incorporated,  540  Madison
     Avenue, New York, New York 10022.


                                       34

<PAGE>

(6)  Includes  options to acquire  66,667 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share.  The address of Mr. Cornstein
     is in care of the Holding  Company,  529 Fifth Avenue,  New York,  New York
     10017.
 
(7)  These shares represent  shares reported as beneficially  owned by FMR Corp.
     in a joint filing on a Schedule  13G dated  February 1, 1999 filed with the
     Commission  by FMR  Corp.,  Edward C.  Johnson 3d and  Abigail P.  Johnson.
     According to said Schedule 13G,  members of the Edward C. Johnson 3d family
     and trusts for their benefit are the  predominant  owners of Class B shares
     of common stock of FMR Corp., representing  approximately 49% of the voting
     power of FMR Corp. Mr. Johnson 3d owns 12.0% and Abigail Johnson owns 24.5%
     of the aggregate  outstanding  voting stock of FMR Corp.  Mr. Johnson 3d is
     Chairman of FMR Corp. and Abigail P. Johnson is a Director of FMR Corp. The
     Johnson family group and all other Class B shareholders have entered into a
     shareholders' voting agreement under which all Class B shares will be voted
     in  accordance  with  the  majority  vote of Class B  shares.  Accordingly,
     through  their  ownership of voting  common stock and the  execution of the
     shareholders'  voting  agreement,  members  of the  Johnson  family  may be
     deemed,  under the  Investment  Company Act of 1940,  to form a controlling
     group with  respect to FMR Corp.  The  Schedule  13G  further  states  that
     Fidelity  Management  &  Research  Company  ("Fidelity"),   a  wholly-owned
     subsidiary  of  FMR  Corp.  and a  registered  investment  adviser,  is the
     beneficial  owner  of the  565,000  shares  which  are the  subject  of the
     Schedule  13G as a result of its acting as  investment  adviser to Fidelity
     Low-Priced Stock Fund (the "Fund"),  a registered  investment company which
     owns all of such 565,000  shares.  Edward C. Johnson 3d, as Chairman of FMR
     Corp.,  FMR Corp.,  through its control of Fidelity,  and the Fund each has
     sole power to dispose of the 565,000 shares owned by the Fund.  Neither FMR
     Corp.  nor  Edward C.  Johnson  3d has the sole power to vote or direct the
     voting of the shares owned  directly by the Fund,  which power resides with
     the Fund's Board of Trustees. Fidelity carries out the voting of the shares
     under written guidelines  established by the Fund's Board of Trustees.  The
     address  for FMR  Corp.,  Fidelity  and the Fund is 82  Devonshire  Street,
     Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

(8)  According  to a  Schedule  13G  dated  February  10,  1999  filed  with the
     Commission by Neuberger Berman, LLC ("Neuberger Berman"),  Neuberger Berman
     is deemed to be a beneficial  owner of the indicated number of shares since
     it has shared power to make decisions  whether to retain or dispose of, and
     in some cases the sole power to vote,  such shares,  which are held by many
     unrelated  clients.  Neuberger Berman does not, however,  have any economic
     interest in the  securities  of those  clients.  The clients are the actual
     owners of the  securities  and have the sole right to receive and the power
     to direct the receipt of dividends  from or proceeds  from the sale of such
     securities. Neuberger Berman has sole power to vote or direct the voting of
     414,500  shares,  shared power to vote or direct the voting of none of such
     shares,  sole power to dispose of or direct the disposition of none of such
     shares, and shared power to dispose of or direct the disposition of 534,400
     shares.  Principal(s)  of Neuberger  Berman own 17,200  shares in their own
     personal  securities   accounts.   Neuberger  Berman  disclaims  beneficial
     ownership  of these  shares  since these  shares were  purchased  with each
     principal(s)'  personal funds and each principal has exclusive  dispositive
     and voting  power over the shares held in their  respective  accounts.  The
     address of Neuberger  Berman,  LLC is 605 Third Avenue,  New York, New York
     10158-3698.
 

















                                       35

<PAGE>

     The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  with  respect  to
beneficial  ownership  of the Common  Stock as of April 26,  1999 by each of the
Company's  directors (other than Messrs.  Lee, Desai and Cornstein,  information
with respect to each of whom is presented above),  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.  The  Company  owns all of the issued and  outstanding  capital  stock of
Finlay Jewelry.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

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

<S>             <C>                                                           <C>                   
Arthur E. Reiner(2)(3).........................................               79,279               *
Norman S. Matthews(4)..........................................               68,000               *
Leslie A. Philip(2)(5).........................................               41,333               *
Joseph M. Melvin(2)(6).........................................               22,000               *
Warren C. Smith, Jr.(7)........................................               12,590               *
Barry D. Scheckner(2)(8).......................................               11,760               *
Hanne M. Merriman(9)...........................................                5,000               *
James Martin Kaplan(2).........................................                4,000               *
All directors and executive officers
as a group (11 persons)(10)....................................            2,568,153              24.1%
</TABLE>
____________________________
     *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
     Stockholders' Agreement.
 
(2)  The address of Messrs.  Reiner, Kaplan, Melvin and Scheckner and Ms. Philip
     is in care of the Company, 529 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

(3)  Includes  options to acquire  34,632 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share. In accordance with applicable
     Commission  rules,  does not include  334,631 shares subject to options not
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
(4)  Includes  options to acquire  16,666 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an  exercise  price of $12.00 per share,  options to acquire  16,667
     shares of Common Stock  granted in 1993 having an exercise  price of $16.50
     per share, options to acquire 16,667 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an  exercise  price of $14.00 per share,  options to acquire  10,000
     shares of Common Stock  granted in 1996 having an exercise  price of $11.16
     per share and options to acquire  8,000 shares of Common  Stock  granted in
     1997 having an exercise price of $13.875 per share. Mr.  Matthew's  address
     is 650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022.

(5)  Includes  options to acquire  26,666 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an  exercise  price of $11.19 per share,  options to acquire  10,667
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1997 having and exercise price of $13.875
     per share  and 4,000  shares of  Common  Stock  granted  in 1998  having an
     exercise price of $23.1875 per share.

(6)  Includes  options to acquire  20,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1997
     having an exercise  price of $14.875  per share and 2,000  shares of Common
     Stock granted in 1998 having an exercise price of $24.3125 per share.

(7)  Mr. Smith's address is c/o Thomas H. Lee Company, 75 State Street,  Boston,
     Massachusetts 02109.

(8)  Includes  options to acquire  2,400 shares of Common Stock  granted in 1993
     having an  exercise  price of $7.23 per share,  options  to  acquire  3,200
     shares of Common Stock  granted in 1995 having an exercise  price of $14.00
     per share,  options to acquire 4,160 shares of Common Stock granted in 1997
     having an exercise  price of $13.875  per share and 2,000  shares of Common
     Stock granted in 1998 having an exercise  price of $24.3125 per share.



                                       36


(9)  Includes  options to acquire  5,000 shares of Common Stock  granted in 1997
     having an exercise price of $21.3125 per share. Ms.  Merriman's  address is
     c/o Hanne Merriman Associates, 3201 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC
     20016.

(10) Includes  options to acquire  249,392 shares having exercise prices ranging
     from $7.23 to $24.3125 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.



























                                       37

<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.  None.

     (3) Exhibits.

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

Item
Number

3.1  - 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  - 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 Certificate of Incorporation and Articles II and VI
     of the  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
     (and redeemed in May 1998)  (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  (and  redeemed  in May 1998)  (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  (and  redeemed in May 1998)  (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).





                                       38

<PAGE>

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  (and  redeemed  in May 1998)
     (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 the Company
     on September 9, 1995).

4.5  -  Indenture  dated as of April 24,  1998  between  the  Company and Marine
     Midland  Bank, as Trustee,  relating to the Company's 9% Senior  Debentures
     due May 1, 2008 issued by the Company (including form of Debenture and form
     of Security and Pledge Agreement with Marine Midland Bank) (incorporated by
     reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the  Current  Report on Form 8-K
     filed by the Company on May 11, 1998).

4.6  - 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 on Form 10-K for the period ended
     January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on April 27, 1994).

4.7  - Specimen  10 5/8%  Senior  Note Due 2003  issued by Finlay  Jewelry  (and
     redeemed in May 1998)  (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).

4.8(a) - Indenture  dated as of May 26, 1993 between  Finlay  Jewelry and Marine
     Midland  Bank,  as Trustee,  relating to the 10 5/8% Senior  Notes Due 2003
     issued by Finlay  Jewelry  (and  redeemed  in May  1998)  (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).

4.8(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 10 5/8% Senior Notes Due
     2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (and redeemed in May 1998)  (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).

4.8(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 10 5/8% Senior Notes due
     2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (and redeemed in May 1998)  (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).

4.9  - Indenture  dated as of April 24, 1998 between  Finlay  Jewelry and Marine
     Midland Bank, as Trustee,  relating to Finlay Jewelry's 8 3/8% Senior Notes
     due May 1, 2008 issued by Finlay  Jewelry  (including  form of Senior Note)
     (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  4.2 filed as part of the  Current
     Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on May 11, 1998).

4.10 - 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).


                                       39

<PAGE>

4.11(a) - 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).

4.11(b) - Omnibus Amendment to Registration Rights and Stockholders'  Agreements
     (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed as part of the Quarterly
     Report on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended  November  1, 1997  filed by the
     Company on December 16, 1997).

4.12 - 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(a) - Underwriting  Agreement  relating to the 1998 Offering dated April 20,
     1998 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 1.3 filed as part of the  Current  Report on Form 8-K
     filed by the Company on May 11, 1998).

10.1(b) - Underwriting  Agreement  relating to the offering of Senior Debentures
     by the  Company  dated  April 20,  1998 by and among  the  Company,  Finlay
     Jewelry  and  Goldman,  Sachs & Co. on  behalf of each of the  Underwriters
     (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  1.1 filed as part of the  Current
     Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on May 11, 1998).

10.1(c) -  Underwriting  Agreement  relating to the  offering of Senior Notes by
     Finlay  Jewelry  dated  April 20,  1998 by and among  Finlay  Jewelry,  the
     Company  and  Goldman  Sachs & Co. on  behalf  of each of the  Underwriters
     (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  1.2 filed as part of the  Current
     Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on May 11, 1998).

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).


                                       40

<PAGE>

10.3(c) -  Amendment  No. 3 to the  Company's  Restated  Retirement  Income Plan
     (401(k))  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed as part of the
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended  November 1, 1997 filed
     by the Company on December 16, 1997).

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).

10.5(c) - Amendment to  Employment  Agreement  between  David B.  Cornstein  and
     Finlay  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.9 filed as part of the
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended  November 1, 1997 filed
     by the Company on December 16, 1997).

10.5(d) - Letter  Agreement  dated February 1, 1999 by and among Finlay Jewelry,
     the Company and David B. Cornstein.

10.5(e) -  Consulting  Agreement  dated as of  February  1,  1999  among  Finlay
     Jewelry, the Company and Pinnacle Advisors Limited.

10.6(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).

10.6(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).

10.6(c) - Limited Recourse  Secured  Promissory Note dated as of January 3, 1995
     by Arthur E. Reiner in favor of the Company  (and  satisfied in April 1998)
     (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.7(c) of Form S-1  Registration
     Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).

10.6(d) - Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company
     and Arthur E.  Reiner  (and  terminated  in April  1998)  (incorporated  by
     reference  to  Exhibit   10.7(d)  of  Form  S-1   Registration   Statement,
     Registration No. 33-88938).

10.6(e) - Amendment to Employment  Agreement  dated as of May 17, 1995 among the
     Company,  Finlay Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to
     Exhibit  10.8(e)  filed as part of the  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
     period ended February 1, 1997 filed by the Company on May 1, 1997).



                                       41

<PAGE>

10.6(f) -  Amendment  No. 2 to  Employment  Agreement  dated as of March 5, 1997
     among the Company,  Finlay  Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner  (incorporated  by
     reference to Exhibit 10 filed as part of the Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q
     for the period ended May 3, 1997 filed by the Company on June 17, 1997).

10.6(g) - Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1997 among
     the Company, Finlay Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference
     to Exhibit 10.7(g) of Form S-1  Registration  Statement,  Registration  No.
     333-34949).

10.7(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  10.00  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).

10.7(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).

10.8 - Employment  Agreement dated as of April 18, 1997 between Joseph M. Melvin
     and Finlay Jewelry  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Form S-1
     Registration Statement, Registration No. 333-34949).

10.9 - 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).

10.10- 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).

10.11- 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).

10.12(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).

10.12(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).

10.13- 1997 Long Term  Incentive  Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit
     10.13(c) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 333-34949).

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).



                                       42

<PAGE>

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 and 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) - Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as
     of January 31, 1997  (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 10.1 filed as
     part of the  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period  ended August 2,
     1997 filed by the Company on September 16, 1997).

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  (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).


                                       43

<PAGE>

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).

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(a) - Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement dated as of September 11, 1997
     among G. E.  Capital,  individually  and in its capacity as agent,  certain
     other lenders and financial  institutions,  the Company and Finlay  Jewelry
     ("Amended  Revolving  Credit  Agreement")  (incorporated  by  reference  to
     Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
     ended August 2, 1997 filed by the Company on September 16, 1997).

10.25(b) -  Amendment  No.  1 dated  as of  September  11,  1997 to the  Amended
     Revolving  Credit  Agreement  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
     the Company's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2,
     1997 filed by the Company on September 16, 1997).

10.25(c) - Amendment No. 2 dated October 6, 1997 to the Amended Revolving Credit
     Agreement  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 (c) to the Company's
     Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-34949)). 


                                       44

<PAGE>

10.25(d) - Amendment  No. 3 dated as of April 24, 1998 to the Amended  Revolving
     Credit  Agreement  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part
     of the Company's  Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 24, 1998, as filed
     on May 11, 1998).
                                   
10.25(e) - Amendment No. 4 dated as of October 28, 1998 to the Amended Revolving
     Credit Agreement.

10.25(f) - Amendment No. 5 dated as of October 28, 1998 to the Amended Revolving
     Credit Agreement.

10.26- 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).

10.27- 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).

10.28(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).

10.28(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).

10.28(c) - Amendment No. 2 and Limited Consent dated as of September 10, 1997 to
     the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  as amended, by and between Finlay Jewelry
     and RIHT  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.4 to the  Company's
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 1997 filed by
     the Company on September 16, 1997).

10.28(d) - Amendment No. 3 and Limited Consent dated as of September 11, 1997 to
     the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  as amended, by and between Finlay Jewelry
     and RIHT  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5 to the  Company's
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 1997 filed by
     the Company on September 16, 1997).

10.28(e) - Amendment  No. 4 and Limited  Consent  dated as of October 6, 1997 to
     the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  as amended, by and between Finlay Jewelry
     and RIHT  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.29 (e) to the Company's
     Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-34949)).

10.28(f) -  Amendment  No.  6 dated  as of April  24,  1998 to Gold  Consignment
     Agreement, as amended, by and between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT (incorporated
     by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as part of the Company's  Current Report
     on Form 8-K dated April 24, 1998, as filed on May 11, 1998).

10.28(g) - Amendment  No. 7 and Limited  Consent  dated as of October 28,  1998,
     between Finlay Jewelry and BankBoston,  N.A., as  successor-in-interest  to
     RIHT.


                                       45

<PAGE>

10.29- 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).

10.30- 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).

10.31- 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).

10.32- Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated  September  3,  1997 by and  among  the
     Company,   Finlay  Jewelry,   Zale  Corporation  and  Zale  Delaware,   Inc
     (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  10.6 to the  Company's  Quarterly
     Report  on Form 10-Q for the  period  ended  August  2,  1997  filed by the
     Company on September 16, 1997).

11.1 - Statement re: computation of earnings per share (not required because the
     relevant  computation can be clearly  determined from material contained in
     the financial statements).


21.1 - Subsidiaries of the Company.

23.1 - Consent of Independent Public Accountants.

27   - Financial Data Schedule.

   (b) Reports on Form 8-K

     No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of 1998.

















                                       46

<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 29, 1999                        By:       /s/ ARTHUR E. REINER
                                                     -----------------------
                                                        Arthur E. Reiner
                                                      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/ ARTHUR E. REINER       Chairman of the Board, President,      April 29, 1999
- -------------------------  Chief Executive Officer and Director
    Arthur E. Reiner       (Principal Executive Officer) 
                            

/s/ BARRY D. SCHECKNER     Senior Vice President and Chief        April 29, 1999
- -------------------------  Financial Officer (Principal
    Barry D. Scheckner     Financial Officer)  
                            

/s/ BRUCE E. ZURLNICK      Treasurer (Principal Accounting        April 29, 1999
- -------------------------  Officer)
    Bruce E. Zurlnick        

/s/ DAVID B. CORNSTEIN     Director                               April 29, 1999
- -------------------------
    David B. Cornstein

/s/ NORMAN S. MATTHEWS     Director                               April 29, 1999
- -------------------------
    Norman S. Matthews

/s/ JAMES MARTIN KAPLAN    Director                               April 29, 1999
- -------------------------
    James Martin Kaplan

/s/ ROHIT M. DESAI         Director                               April 29, 1999
- -------------------------
    Rohit M. Desai

/s/ THOMAS H. LEE          Director                               April 29, 1999
- -------------------------
    Thomas H. Lee

/s/ WARREN C. SMITH, JR.   Director                               April 29, 1999
- -------------------------
    Warren C. Smith, Jr.

/s/ HANNE M. MERRIMAN      Director                               April 29, 1999
- -------------------------
    Hanne M. Merriman



                                       47

<PAGE>

 
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                                            
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           -----
Finlay Enterprises, Inc.

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

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended February 1, 1997,
   January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.....................................F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999......F-4

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years 
   ended February 1, 1997, January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.............F-5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 1, 1997,
   January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.....................................F-6

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

Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation        

Report of Independent Public Accountants....................................F-26

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended February 1, 1997,
   January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999....................................F-27

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999.....F-28

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the years 
   ended February 1, 1997, January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999............F-29

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended February 1, 1997,
   January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999....................................F-30

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................F-31










                                      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 subsidiaries as of January 31,
1998  and  January  30,  1999,  and  the  related  consolidated   statements  of
operations,  changes in  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for the  fifty-two
weeks ended  February 1, 1997,  January  31,  1998 and January 30,  1999.  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
subsidiaries  as of January 31, 1998 and  January 30,  1999,  and the results of
their  operations and their cash flows for the fifty-two weeks ended February 1,
1997,  January 31,  1998 and January 30,  1999,  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.

                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

New York, New York
March 24, 1999


                                                      









                                      F-2

<PAGE>



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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                                                       Year Ended
                                                                                 --------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   February 1,       January 31,        January 30,
                                                                                      1997              1998              1999
                                                                                 -------------    ---------------    --------------

<S>                                                                              <C>              <C>                <C>         
Sales................................................................            $   685,274      $    769,862       $    863,428
Cost of sales........................................................                330,300           371,085            421,450
                                                                                 -------------    ---------------    --------------
    Gross margin.....................................................                354,974           398,777            441,978
Selling, general and administrative expenses.........................                290,138           324,777            364,652
Depreciation and amortization........................................                 10,840            12,163             15,672
                                                                                 -------------    ---------------    --------------
    Income (loss) from operations....................................                 53,996            61,837             61,654
Interest expense, net................................................                 31,204            34,115             32,499
Nonrecurring interest associated with refinancing....................                 -                 -                     655
                                                                                 -------------    ---------------    --------------
    Income (loss) before income taxes and                                                                      
      extraordinary charges..........................................                 22,792            27,722             28,500
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.................................                 11,035            12,527             11,986
                                                                                 -------------    ---------------    --------------
    Income (loss) before extraordinary charges.......................                 11,757            15,195             16,514
Extraordinary charges from early extinguishment of debt,                                                       
      net of income tax benefit of $4,765............................                 -                 -                   7,415
                                                                                 -------------    ---------------    --------------
    Net income (loss)................................................            $    11,757      $     15,195       $      9,099
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============

Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares:
    Basic net income (loss) per share:
       Before extraordinary charges..................................            $      1.59      $       1.89       $       1.61
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============
       Extraordinary charges from early extinguishment of debt.......            $       -        $       -          $      (0.72)
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============
       Net income (loss).............................................            $      1.59      $       1.89       $       0.89
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============
    Diluted net income (loss) per share:
       Before extraordinary charges..................................            $      1.55      $       1.84       $       1.59
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============
       Extraordinary charges from early extinguishment of debt.......            $       -        $       -          $      (0.72)
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============
       Net income (loss).............................................            $      1.55      $       1.84       $       0.88
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============
Weighted average shares and share equivalents outstanding............              7,569,529         8,275,934         10,366,254
                                                                                 =============    ===============    ==============

</TABLE>









     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>
                                                                                      January 31,        January 30,
                                                                                         1998               1999
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
                                      ASSETS
Current assets
<S>                                                                                  <C>               <C>        
  Cash and cash equivalents....................................................      $    13,588       $    17,328
  Accounts receivable - department stores......................................           20,772            19,147
  Other receivables............................................................            6,862            23,353
  Merchandise inventories......................................................          279,766           295,265
  Prepaid expenses and other...................................................            1,781             2,366
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
     Total current assets......................................................          322,769           357,459
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
Fixed assets
  Equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements...............................           95,257           106,735
  Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization.............................           28,249            36,620
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
     Fixed assets, net.........................................................           67,008            70,115
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
Deferred charges and other assets..............................................           14,188            15,871
Goodwill.......................................................................          104,271           100,547
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
     Total assets..............................................................      $   508,236       $   543,992
                                                                                     =============     ==============

                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities
  Accounts payable - trade.....................................................      $   160,434       $   160,434
  Accrued liabilities:
     Accrued salaries and benefits.............................................           12,694            15,760
     Accrued miscellaneous taxes...............................................            5,014             4,704
     Accrued insurance.........................................................              215               755
     Accrued interest..........................................................            3,902             5,135
     Accrued management transition and consulting..............................            1,092               676
     Other.....................................................................           15,558            15,409
  Income taxes payable.........................................................           14,246             5,076
  Deferred income taxes........................................................            1,219             2,173
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
     Total current liabilities.................................................          214,374           210,122
Long-term debt.................................................................          221,026           225,000
Other non-current liabilities..................................................              497             9,059
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
     Total liabilities.........................................................          435,897           444,181
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
Stockholders' equity
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 25,000,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding 9,779,050 and 10,403,353 shares, respectively......               98               104
  Additional paid-in capital ..................................................           61,745            77,057
  Note receivable from stock sale..............................................           (1,001)            -
  Retained earnings (deficit)..................................................           18,340            27,439
  Foreign currency translation adjustment......................................           (6,843)           (4,789)
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
     Total stockholders' equity................................................           72,339            99,811
                                                                                     -------------     --------------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity................................      $   508,236       $   543,992
                                                                                     =============     ==============
</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                     Note                   Foreign
                                  ------------------   Additional   Receivable   Retained     Currency      Total
                                     Number             Paid-in       from       Earnings    Translation Stockholders' Comprehensive
                                   of shares  Amount    Capital     Stock Sale  (Deficit)     Adjustment    Equity        Income
                                  ----------  ------   ----------   ----------- ----------  ------------ ------------- -------------
<S>               <C>              <C>        <C>      <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>       
Balance, February 3, 1996........  7,524,356  $  75    $ 23,069     $ (1,001)   $  (8,612)  $     (747)   $   12,784
  Net income (loss)..............      -         -          -            -         11,757         -           11,757    $   11,757
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment..................      -         -          -            -           -          (2,303)       (2,303)       (2,303)
                                                                                                                       -------------
  Comprehensive income...........      -         -          -            -           -            -             -       $    9,454
  Exercise of stock options......     34,482      1         266          -           -            -              267   =============
                                  ----------  ------   ----------   ----------- ----------  ------------ -------------  
Balance, February 1, 1997........  7,558,838     76      23,335       (1,001)       3,145       (3,050)       22,505
  Net income (loss)..............      -         -          -            -         15,195         -           15,195    $   15,195
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment..................      -         -          -            -           -          (3,793)       (3,793)       (3,793)
                                                                                                                       -------------
  Comprehensive income...........      -         -          -            -           -            -             -       $   11,402
  Issuance of Common Stock.......  2,196,971     22      38,102          -           -            -           38,124   =============
  Exercise of stock options......     23,241     -          308          -           -            -              308
                                  ----------  ------   ----------   ----------- ----------  ------------ -------------
Balance, January 31, 1998........  9,779,050     98      61,745        (1,001)     18,340       (6,843)       72,339
  Net income (loss)..............      -         -          -            -          9,099         -            9,099    $    9,099
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment..................      -         -          -            -           -           2,054         2,054         2,054
                                                                                                                       -------------
  Comprehensive income...........      -         -          -            -           -            -             -       $   11,153
  Issuance of Common Stock.......    567,310      6      13,753          -           -            -           13,759   =============
  Note receivable repayment......      -         -          -           1,001        -            -            1,001
  Exercise of stock options......     56,993     -        1,559          -           -            -            1,559
                                  ----------  ------   ----------   ----------- ----------  ------------ -------------
Balance, January 30, 1999........ 10,403,353  $ 104    $ 77,057     $    -      $  27,439   $   (4,789)   $   99,811
                                  ==========  ======   ==========   =========== ==========  ============ ============= 
</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
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                 February 1,      January 31,     January 30,
                                                                                    1997            1998             1999
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>             <C>       
  Net income (loss)........................................................     $   11,757       $   15,195      $    9,099
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided
     from operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization............................................         12,067           13,415          16,930
  Imputed interest on debentures...........................................          8,494            9,545           2,527
  Write-off of deferred financing costs and debt discount..................          -                -               3,900
  Redemption premiums......................................................          -                -               7,102
  Other, net...............................................................         (1,105)          (1,817)            376
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects from purchase
     of Diamond Park assets (Note 11):
     (Increase) decrease in accounts and other receivables.................          1,548           (8,795)        (14,611)
     Increase in merchandise inventories...................................        (28,380)         (15,360)        (10,635)
     (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other.....................             72              385            (548)
     Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities..................          8,645           22,932           8,027
     Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes..........................            (27)             410             954
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------
        NET CASH PROVIDED FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES........................         13,071           35,910          23,121
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements..............        (17,533)         (19,338)        (12,991)
  Payment for purchase of Diamond Park assets..............................          -              (57,642)         (4,857)
  Deferred charges and other...............................................           (621)          (1,935)         (5,286)
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------
        NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES..............................        (18,154)         (78,915)        (23,134)
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from revolving credit facility..................................        442,947          564,510         735,637
  Principal payments on revolving credit facility..........................       (442,947)        (564,510)       (735,637)
  Prepayment of Old Notes..................................................          -                -            (135,000)
  Prepayment of Old Debentures.............................................          -                -             (89,293)
  Payment of redemption premiums...........................................          -                -              (7,102)
  Net proceeds from public offering of Common Stock........................          -               38,124          13,759
  Proceeds from senior note offering.......................................          -                -             150,000
  Proceeds from senior debenture offering..................................          -                -              75,000
  Proceeds from repayment of note receivable...............................          -                -               1,001
  Capitalized financing costs..............................................          -               (2,347)         (6,235)
  Stock options exercised and other, net...................................             61              306           1,562
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------
        NET CASH PROVIDED FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES........................             61           36,083           3,692
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------
        EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH............................           (146)            (336)             61
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------
        INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                            (5,168)          (7,258)          3,740
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.............................         26,014           20,846          13,588
                                                                                -------------    ------------    -------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD...................................     $   20,846       $   13,588      $   17,328
                                                                                =============    ============    =============

</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 AND SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS

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

1998 Offering and Refinancing

     On April 24,  1998,  the Company  completed a public  offering of 1,800,000
shares of its common  stock,  par value $.01 per share  ("Common  Stock"),  at a
price of $27.50 per share (the "1998  Offering"),  of which 567,310  shares were
sold  by  the  Company  and  1,232,690  shares  were  sold  by  certain  selling
stockholders.  Concurrently  with the 1998  Offering,  the  Company  and  Finlay
Jewelry  completed  the public  offering of $75.0  million  aggregate  principal
amount of 9% Senior  Debentures  due May 1, 2008 (the "Senior  Debentures")  and
$150.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8-3/8% Senior Notes due May 1, 2008
(the  "Senior  Notes"),  respectively.  In  addition,  on April  24,  1998,  the
revolving  credit  agreement (the "Revolving  Credit  Agreement") was amended to
increase  the line of credit  thereunder  to $275.0  million and to make certain
other changes.

     On May 26, 1998,  the net  proceeds to the Company from the 1998  Offering,
the sale of the Senior  Debentures,  together with other available  funds,  were
used to redeem the Company's 12% Senior  Discount  Debentures due 2005 (the "Old
Debentures"),  including  associated  premiums.  Also,  on May 26, 1998,  Finlay
Jewelry used the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes to redeem Finlay
Jewelry's 10-5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 (the "Old Notes"),  including associated
premiums.  The above transactions,  excluding the 1998 Offering, are referred to
herein as the  "Refinancing".  The Company  recorded,  in the second  quarter of
1998, a pre-tax  extraordinary charge of approximately $12.2 million,  including
$7.1  million for  redemption  premiums  and $3.9  million to write off deferred
financing costs and debt discount associated with the Old Debentures and the Old
Notes.

1997 and 1995 Public Offerings and Related Transactions

     On October 21, 1997,  the Company  completed a public  offering  (the "1997
Offering")  of  3,450,000  shares of its  Common  Stock at a price of $19.00 per
share,  of which  2,196,971  shares  were  issued  and sold by the  Company.  An
additional 1,253,029 shares were sold by existing stockholders.  Net proceeds to
the Company from the 1997 Offering were $38,124,000.  The Company used the funds
for working  capital,  repayment of  indebtedness  and other  general  corporate
purposes.

     On April 6, 1995,  the Company  completed an initial  public  offering (the
"Initial Public  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  Initial  Public  Offering  were
$30,200,000 and were used to repurchase  $6,103,000  accreted balance of the Old
Debentures  with the balance of the net proceeds used to reduce a portion of the
outstanding  indebtedness  under Finlay's revolving credit facility with General
Electric  Capital  Corporation  ("G.E.  Capital")  and the other  lenders  named
thereto.



                                      F-7
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1--ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS (continued)

     Immediately  prior to the  completion of the Initial Public  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")
at the initial public offering price of $14.00 per share.

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 "1993
Recapitalization"). Following the 1993 Recapitalization, management maintained a
substantial equity interest in the Company.

     The 1993  Recapitalization  included an investment by the Lee Investors and
the Desai  Investors  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 1993  Recapitalization  also included the public  issuance by the Company of
units  consisting of the Old Debentures and Common Stock, the public issuance by
Finlay  Jewelry  of the Old  Notes and the  refinancing  of the  Company's  then
outstanding term loans and revolving indebtedness.

Organization and the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization

     Finlay Jewelry was initially  incorporated on August 2, 1985 as SL Holdings
Corporation ("SL Holdings"). The Company, 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.

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.

     Fiscal Year:  The  Company's  fiscal year ends on the  Saturday  closest to
January 31.  References to 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 relate to the fiscal years
ended on February 1, 1997,  January 31,  1998,  January 30, 1999 and January 29,
2000. Each of the fiscal years includes 52 weeks.




                                      F-8

<PAGE>



                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

     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 February 1, 1997,  January 31, 1998 and
January 30, 1999, the gain/loss on open futures contracts was not material.  The
Company did not have any open positions in futures contracts for gold at January
31, 1998 or January 30, 1999.

     In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 133,  "Accounting  for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". This Statement requires that all derivative
instruments  be recorded in the  balance  sheet as either an asset or  liability
measured at its fair value and that  changes in the  derivative's  fair value be
recognized  currently  in earnings.  SFAS No. 133 is effective  for fiscal years
beginning  after  June  15,  1999  and,  based  on  current  levels  of  hedging
activities, is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.

     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  thirty-nine  years.  In
1997,  the Company  capitalized  $660,000 of  interest  in  connection  with the
construction of its central distribution  facility. The capitalized interest was
recorded  as part of the asset to which it related and is being  amortized  over
the asset's estimated useful life.

     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 management information systems.

     In 1998,  Statement  of Position  No.  98-1,  "Accounting  for the Costs of
Computer  Software  Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" was issued,  whereby
the Company will be required to capitalize  certain  internal  payroll costs for
employees directly associated with the development of software for internal use.
The Company has adopted this statement in 1999, and does not expect it to have a
material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

     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. The
Goodwill  related to the 1988  Leveraged  Recapitalization  and the Diamond Park




                                      F-9

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Acquisition  (as  defined  in Note 11) is being  amortized  over 40 years and 20
years,  respectively.  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  periods,  if and when  appropriate.  Amortization  of
Goodwill for 1996, 1997 and 1998 totaled $3,143,000,  $3,367,000 and $3,724,000,
respectively.  Accumulated  amortization  of  Goodwill  at January  31, 1998 and
January 30, 1999 totaled $27,825,000 and $31,612,000, 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 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.

     Net Income (Loss) per share:  Net income (loss) per share has been computed
in accordance  with SFAS No. 128,  "Earnings per Share" which was adopted by the
Company at the end of 1997.  Basic and diluted net income  (loss) per share were
calculated using the weighted average number of shares  outstanding  during each
period,  with options to purchase  Common  Stock  included in diluted net income
(loss) per share,  using the  treasury  stock  method,  to the extent  that such
options were dilutive. The per share amounts for each period presented have been
restated to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 128.  The  following is an analysis
of the differences between basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           February 1,               January 31,                 January 30,
                                              1997                       1998                        1999
                                     -----------------------    -----------------------    -------------------------
                                       No. of         Per         No. of         Per         No. of          Per
                                       Shares        Share        Shares        Share        Shares         Share
                                     -----------    --------    -----------    --------    -----------     ---------
   Weighted average shares
<S>                                   <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>         <C>             <C>     
     outstanding................      7,417,343     $  1.59      8,050,346     $  1.89     10,229,495      $   0.89
   Dilutive stock options.......        152,186       (0.04)       225,588       (0.05)       136,759         (0.01)
                                     -----------    --------    -----------    --------    -----------     ---------
   Weighted average shares                                                                  
     and share equivalents......      7,569,529     $  1.55      8,275,934     $  1.84     10,366,254      $   0.88
                                     ===========    ========    ===========    ========    ===========     =========
</TABLE>

     For each of 1996,  1997 and 1998,  there were no  adjustments to Net income
(loss)  applicable  to common  shares  used to  calculate  basic and diluted net
income (loss) per share.

     Comprehensive Income: In 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive  Income",  which requires disclosure of comprehensive  income in a
financial statement.  Comprehensive income is defined as the total of net income
and all other  nonowner  changes  in  equity,  which  under  generally  accepted
accounting  principles  are  recorded  directly  to  stockholders'  equity  and,
therefore,  bypass net income. The Company has chosen to disclose  comprehensive
income,   which   encompasses  net  income  and  foreign  currency   translation
adjustments, in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity.

     Debt Issuance  Costs:  Debt issuance costs are amortized using the straight
line method over the term of the related debt  agreements.  Debt issuance  costs
totaled  approximately  $5,862,000 at January 31, 1998 and $7,601,000 at January
30,  1999.  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 1996, 1997 and 1998 totaled  $1,056,000,
$1,055,000 and $1,243,000,  respectively, and  



                                      F-10
 
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

have been recorded as a component of Interest  expense,  net in the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

     Revenue  Recognition:  The  Company  recognizes  revenue  upon  the sale of
merchandise,  either owned or consigned, to its host department store customers,
net of anticipated returns.

     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 in the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

     Advertising  Costs:  All costs  associated with advertising are expensed in
the month that the  advertising  takes  place.  For 1996,  1997 and 1998,  gross
advertising expenses,  before vendor support, were $43,747,000,  $47,913,000 and
$55,287,000,   respectively   and  are   included   in   Selling,   general  and
administrative   expenses  in  the  accompanying   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 1996, 1997 and 1998 was $21,480,000, $23,347,000 (net of capitalized
interest) and  $28,136,000,  respectively.  Income taxes paid in 1996,  1997 and
1998 totaled $9,368,000,  $10,676,000 and $426,000,  respectively. Refer to Note
11 for a discussion of the Diamond Park Acquisition.

     Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Cash, accounts receivable,  short-term
borrowings,  accounts  payable  and accrued  liabilities  are  reflected  in the
consolidated  financial  statements  at fair  value  because  of the  short-term
maturity  of  these  instruments.  Marketable  securities  are  recorded  in the
consolidated  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  disclosed,  in Note 5, 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 and to date,  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.  As such,
results for interim periods are not indicative of annual results.  Refer to Note
10 for unaudited quarterly financial data.





                                      F-11

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 3--MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES

     Merchandise inventories consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  January 31,        January 30,
                                                                                     1998               1999
                                                                                --------------    ---------------
                                                                                         (in thousands)
   Jewelry goods - rings, watches and other fine jewelry
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>          
       (specific identification basis)...................................       $    286,289      $     300,777
   Less:  Excess of specific identification cost over LIFO
       inventory value...................................................              6,523              5,512
                                                                                --------------    ---------------
                                                                                $    279,766      $     295,265
                                                                                ==============    ===============
</TABLE>

     The LIFO method had the effect of decreasing  Income before income taxes in
1996 by $1,919,000 and increasing Income before income taxes in 1997 and 1998 by
$2,330,000 and $1,011,000,  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
January 30, 1999.

     Approximately $219,822,000 and $283,793,000 at January 31, 1998 and January
30, 1999, respectively, of merchandise received on consignment has been excluded
from  Merchandise  inventories and Accounts  payable-trade  in the  accompanying
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     Finlay  Jewelry  is  party  to a  gold  consignment  agreement  (the  "Gold
Consignment   Agreement"),   which  expires  on  December  31,  2001.  The  Gold
Consignment Agreement enables Finlay Jewelry to receive 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,  title to the gold  content  of the  merchandise  transfers  from the
vendors to the gold consignor.

     Finlay can obtain,  pursuant to the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  up to the
lesser of (i)  85,000  fine troy  ounces or (ii)  $32.0  million  worth of gold,
subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. At January
31, 1998 and January 30, 1999,  amounts  outstanding  under the Gold Consignment
Agreement  totaled 39,676 and 78,836 fine troy ounces,  respectively,  valued at
approximately $12.1 million and $22.5 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 Sheets and,  therefore,  no
related  liability  has been  recorded.  Under the Gold  Consignment  Agreement,
Finlay is required to pay a daily  consignment  fee on the dollar  equivalent of
the fine  gold  value of the  ounces  of gold  consigned  thereunder.  The daily
consignment  fee is based on a floating  rate which,  as of January 31, 1998 and
January 30, 1999, was approximately 4.3% and 3.2%,  respectively,  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 less than $12.0  million.  Included in
interest  expense  for the year ended  January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999 are
consignment fees of $725,000 and $615,000, respectively.





                                      F-12

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3--MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES (continued)

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

     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 January 30, 1999.

NOTE 4--SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

     The  Company  and  Finlay  Jewelry  are  parties  to the  Revolving  Credit
Agreement with G.E.  Capital and the other lenders thereto which provides Finlay
with a senior  secured  revolving  line of credit of up to $275.0  million  (the
"Revolving  Credit  Facility"),  a portion of which is  available to the Company
under certain circumstances.  The Revolving Credit Facility provides Finlay with
a facility  maturing in March 2003, for  borrowings  based on an advance rate of
(i) up to 85% of  eligible  accounts  receivable  and (ii) up to 60% of eligible
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 (except that any increase in the  borrowing  base rate  percentage
shall require the consent of the lenders). Finlay Jewelry is permitted to use up
to $30 million of the Revolving  Credit  Agreement for the issuance or guarantee
of letters of credit issued for the account of Finlay  Jewelry.  The outstanding
revolving credit balance and letter of credit balance under the Revolving Credit
Agreement  are  required to be reduced  each year to $50 million or less and $20
million or less,  respectively,  for a 30  consecutive  day period (the "Balance
Reduction  Requirement").  Funds available under the Revolving  Credit Agreement
are utilized to finance working capital needs.

     Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a
rate equal to, at Finlay's option, (i) the Index Rate (as defined) plus a margin
ranging from zero to 1.0% or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.0%
to 2.0%,  in each case  depending on the financial  performance  of the Company.
"Index Rate" is defined as the higher of (i) the rate publicly  quoted from time
to time by The Wall Street Journal as the "base rate on corporate loans at large
U.S.  money  center  commercial  banks" and (ii) the Federal  Funds Rate plus 50
basis  points  per  annum.  A letter of credit fee of 1.5% per annum of the face
amount of letters of credit  guaranteed  under the Revolving Credit Agreement is
payable  monthly in arrears.  An unused facility fee on the average unused daily
balance of the Revolving  Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears equal to
0.375% per annum up to $225.0 million and 0.25% per annum up to $275.0  million.
Upon the occurrence  (and during the  continuance)  of an event of default under
the Revolving Credit  Agreement,  interest would accrue at a rate which is 2% in
excess of the rate otherwise applicable, and would be payable upon demand.




                                      F-13
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

     The Revolving  Credit  Agreement 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 Agreement  contains  customary  covenants,  including
limitations  on  or  relating  to  capital  expenditures,  liens,  indebtedness,
investments,   mergers,   acquisitions,   affiliate   transactions,   management
compensation  and the payment of dividends  and other  restricted  payments.  In
addition,  the lenders have the right to approve certain private sales of Common
Stock. The Revolving Credit Agreement 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 January 30, 1999.

     There were no amounts  outstanding  at January 31, 1998 or January 30, 1999
under the Revolving Credit Agreement.  The maximum amounts outstanding under the
Revolving  Credit  Agreement  during  1996,  1997  and 1998  were  $114,100,000,
$189,200,000 and $176,000,000, respectively. The average amounts outstanding for
the same periods were $75,371,000,  $107,700,000 and $123,800,000  (adjusted for
the impact of the  temporary  paydown of the  Revolving  Credit  Facility due to
certain call requirements associated with the Old Debentures and the Old Notes),
respectively.  The weighted  average interest rates were 8.0%, 7.9% and 7.6% for
1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

     At January  31, 1998 and  January  30,  1999,  Finlay had letters of credit
outstanding  totaling  $10.3  million  and  $6.7  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>
                                                                         January 31,        January 30,
                                                                             1998              1999
                                                                         -------------     --------------
                                                                                 (in thousands)
<S>                                                                      <C>               <C>     
         Old Notes (a)............................................       $    135,000      $     -
         Old Debentures (a).......................................             86,026            -
         Senior Notes (b).........................................            -                 150,000
         Senior Debentures (c)....................................            -                  75,000
                                                                         -------------     --------------
                                                                         $    221,026      $    225,000
                                                                         =============     ==============
</TABLE>

_________________________
(a)  On May 26, 1998, the Company and Finlay Jewelry  retired the Old Debentures
     and Old Notes, respectively. Refer to Note 1.

(b)  On April 24, 1998, as part of the Refinancing, Finlay Jewelry issued 8-3/8%
     Senior  Notes  due  May 1,  2008  with an  aggregate  principal  amount  of
     $150,000,000.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on May
     1 and November 1 of each year, and commenced on November 1, 1998. Except in
     the case of certain equity  offerings,  the Senior Notes are not redeemable
     prior to May 1, 2003. Thereafter,  the Senior 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  indenture  relating to
     the Senior Notes (the "Senior Note Indenture")),  each holder of the Senior
     Notes  will have the right to require  Finlay  Jewelry  to  repurchase  its
     Senior  Notes at a purchase  price  equal to 101% of the  principal 


                                     F-14
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

     amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest  thereon to the repurchase
     date. The Senior Notes rank senior in right of payment to all  subordinated
     indebtedness  of  Finlay  and  pari  passu in  right  of  payment  with all
     unsubordinated   indebtedness  of  Finlay  Jewelry.  However,  because  the
     Revolving Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of substantially  all the
     assets of Finlay Jewelry, the Senior Notes are effectively  subordinated to
     the  borrowings  under the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement.  The Senior  Note
     Indenture  contains  restrictions  relating  to,  among other  things,  the
     payment of dividends,  the issuance of  disqualified  stock,  the making of
     certain  investments  or  other  restricted  payments,  the  incurrence  of
     additional  indebtedness,  the  creation of certain  liens,  entering  into
     certain transactions with affiliates, the disposition of certain assets and
     engaging in mergers and consolidations.

     The fair value of the Senior Notes at January 30, 1999, determined based on
     market quotes, was $141,000,000.

(c)  On April 24, 1998, as part of the Refinancing, the Company issued 9% Senior
     Debentures  due  May  1,  2008  with  an  aggregate   principal  amount  of
     $75,000,000.  Interest on the Senior Debentures is payable semi-annually on
     May 1 and  November 1 of each year,  and  commenced  on  November  1, 1998.
     Except in the case of certain equity  offerings,  the Senior Debentures are
     not redeemable prior to May 1, 2003. Thereafter, the Senior Debentures 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
     indenture   relating  to  the  Senior  Debentures  (the  "Senior  Debenture
     Indenture")),  each holder of the Senior  Debentures will have the right to
     require the Company to repurchase its Senior Debentures at a purchase price
     equal to 101% of the  principal  amount  thereof  plus  accrued  and unpaid
     interest thereon to the repurchase date.

     The  Senior  Debentures  rank  pari  passu  in  right  of  payment with all
     unsubordinated  indebtedness  of the Company and senior in right of payment
     to all subordinated  indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Debentures are
     secured by a first  priority  lien on and  security  interest in all of the
     issued and outstanding stock 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 Senior  Debentures.  As a
     result,   the  Senior  Debentures  are  effectively   subordinated  to  all
     indebtedness  and all other  obligations  of  Finlay  Jewelry.  The  Senior
     Debenture Indenture contains  restrictions relating to, among other things,
     the payment of dividends, the issuance of disqualified stock, the making of
     certain  investments  or  other  restricted  payments,  the  incurrence  of
     additional  indebtedness,  the  creation of certain  liens,  entering  into
     certain transactions with affiliates, the disposition of certain assets and
     engaging in mergers and consolidations.

     The fair value of the Senior Debentures, determined based on market quotes,
     was $66,000,000 at January 30, 1999.

     Finlay was in compliance  with all of the provisions of the Senior Note and
     Senior Debenture Indentures as of and for the year ended January 30, 1999.



                                      F-15
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   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 1, 2004 and thereafter are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              (in thousands)
                                                              ---------------
<S>                                                           <C>    
   1999................................................       $     -
   2000................................................             -
   2001................................................             -
   2002................................................             -
   2003................................................             -
   Thereafter..........................................            225,000
                                                              ---------------
                                                              $    225,000
                                                              ===============
</TABLE>

     Interest expense for 1996, 1997 and 1998 was  $31,301,000,  $34,213,000 and
$33,581,000  (including  $655,000 of nonrecurring  interest  associated with the
Refinancing),  respectively.  Interest  income for the same periods was $97,000,
$98,000 and $427,000, respectively.

NOTE 5--STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     The  Company's  Long Term  Incentive  Plan (the "1993  Plan")  permits  the
Company  to  grant  to  key  employees  of the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries,
consultants and certain other persons,  and directors of the Company (other than
members of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors),  the
following:  (i) stock  options;  (ii) stock  appreciation  rights in tandem with
stock  options;  (iii)  limited stock  appreciation  rights in tandem with stock
options; (iv) restricted or nonrestricted stock awards subject to such terms and
conditions as the Compensation Committee shall determine;  (v) performance units
which are based upon attainment of performance goals during a period of not less
than two nor more than five  years and which may be settled in cash or in Common
Stock at the discretion of the Compensation  Committee;  or (vi) any combination
of the foregoing. Under the 1993 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. As of January 30, 1999, an aggregate of 732,596 shares of the Company's
Common Stock has been reserved for issuance  pursuant to the 1993 Plan, of which
a total of 575,251  shares are  subject  to  options  granted to certain  senior
management, key employees and a director.

     On March 6, 1997,  the Board of Directors  of the Company  adopted the 1997
Long Term Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan"),  which was approved by the Company's
stockholders in June 1997. The 1997 Plan,  which is similar to the 1993 Plan, is
intended as a successor  to the 1993 Plan and provides for the grant of the same
types of awards as are  currently  available  under the 1993 Plan.  The Board of
Directors  adopted an  amendment  to the 1997 Plan,  which was  approved  by the
Company's stockholders in June 1998, whereby the number of options available for
issuance under the 1997 Plan were increased to 850,000. Of the 850,000 shares of
the Company's Common Stock that have been reserved for issuance  pursuant to the
1997 Plan, a total of 542,582  shares,  as of January 30,  1999,  are subject to
options granted to certain senior management,  key employees and directors.  The
exercise  prices of such  options  range from  $13.875  per share to $24.313 per
share.





                                      F-16

<PAGE>


                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 5--STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued)                     

     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 SFAS No.  123,  the  Company  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
$219,000, or $0.03 per share (for each of basic and diluted), in 1996, $330,000,
or $0.04 per share (for each of basic and  diluted),  in 1997 and  $601,000,  or
$0.06 per share (for each of basic and diluted),  in 1998. 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 1996,  1997 and 1998 was  estimated
using the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  based on the  weighted  average
market  price at the grant date of $13.56 in 1996,  $14.95 in 1997 and $16.15 in
1998 and the following weighted average assumptions:  risk free interest rate of
6.67%, 6.57% and 5.17% for 1996, 1997 and 1998,  respectively,  expected life of
seven years for each of 1996,  1997 and 1998 and  volatility of 35.10% for 1996,
32.98% for 1997 and 44.95% for 1998. The weighted  average fair value of options
granted in 1996, 1997 and 1998 was $6.88, $7.33 and $8.88, respectively.

     The following  summarizes the  transactions  pursuant to the Company's 1993
Plan and 1997 Plan for 1996, 1997 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  1996                           1997                           1998
                                        --------------------------     --------------------------    ---------------------------
                                        Number of      Wtd. Avg.       Number of      Wtd. Avg.       Number of       Wtd. Avg.
                                         Options       Ex. Price        Options       Ex. Price        Options        Ex. Price
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>                <C>         <C>               <C>    
Outstanding at beginning of year...        545,834     $    11.61         523,767     $    11.93        989,500      $     13.55
Granted............................         21,333          13.56         505,167          14.95        201,067            16.15
Exercised..........................        (27,826)          7.23         (23,241)          8.74        (56,993)            8.69  
Forfeited..........................        (15,574)         11.45         (16,193)         11.25        (15,741)           13.03
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------
Outstanding at end of year.........        523,767          11.93         989,500          13.55      1,117,833            10.27
                                        ===========    ===========     ===========    ===========    ===========     ===========
Exercisable at end of year.........        207,122     $    10.94         282,020     $    11.47        349,660      $     11.32

</TABLE>

     The options  outstanding  at January 30, 1999 have exercise  prices between
$7.23 and  $24.31,  with a  weighted  average  exercise  price of  $10.27  and a
weighted average  remaining  contractual life of 7.54 years.  Options  generally
vest in five years and expire in ten years from their dates of grant.

     Upon the  commencement  of his  employment,  an  executive  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.
Pursuant to the terms of the note, the amount of the note has historically  been
reflected as a reduction to equity and reflected in the  Company's  Consolidated
Balance  Sheets as Note  receivable  from stock  sale.  On April 24,  1998,  the
executive  officer  sold  100,000  of the  Purchased  Shares and repaid the note
("Note Receivable Repayment").





                                      F-17
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5--STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (continued)

     On December 1, 1998, the  Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors
of the Company  approved the repricing of 292,103 of the  Company's  outstanding
stock  options at an  exercise  price of $8.25,  which  excludes  stock  options
previously  granted to certain  senior  executives  and  members of the Board of
Directors. Shares acquired upon the exercise of such repriced options may not be
sold for a period of one year.  On December 1, 1998,  60,000 stock  options were
granted to three senior  executives at an exercise price of $8.25.  Such options
vest over a period of three years, 50% in each of the second and third years.

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 department store 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
host store 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 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                   Year Ended
                                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                                   February 1,      January 31,     January 30,
                                                       1997            1998            1999
                                                  -------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                               <C>              <C>            <C>         
    Minimum fees..............................    $     6,188      $     9,732    $     24,824
    Contingent fees...........................        103,319          115,331         115,720
                                                  -------------    ------------    ------------
         Total................................    $   109,507      $   125,063     $   140,544
                                                  =============    ============    ============
</TABLE>

     Future  minimum  payments  under  noncancellable  operating  leases  having
initial or  remaining  noncancellable  lease  terms in excess of one year are as
follows as of January 30, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        (in
                                                                    thousands)
                                                                 --------------
<S>   <C>                                                        <C>        
      1999.................................................      $    22,264
      2000.................................................           17,839
      2001                                                             3,428
      2002                                                             2,633
      2003                                                             2,444
      Thereafter...........................................            9,106
                                                                 --------------
           Total minimum payments required.................      $    57,714
                                                                 ==============
</TABLE>


                                      F-18
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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.

     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   $1,753,000,
$1,771,000 and $2,043,000 for 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.





















                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8--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.

     Deferred tax assets and liabilities at year end are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                                        ------------------------------
                                                                                        January 31,      January 30,
                                                                                           1998              1999
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
                                                                                               (in thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
<S>                                                                                     <C>              <C>        
  Uniform inventory capitalization...............................................       $     3,569      $     3,483
  Expense not currently deductible...............................................             3,493            2,825
  ITC carryover..................................................................               950              301
  AMT credit.....................................................................               566              566
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
                                                                                              8,578            7,175
  Valuation allowance............................................................             1,050              401
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
     Total current...............................................................             7,528            6,774
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
  Imputed interest on Old Debentures.............................................            12,747           -
  Deferred financing costs-non-current...........................................               207              418
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
     Total non-current...........................................................            12,954              418
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
        Total deferred tax assets................................................            20,482            7,192
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
Deferred Tax Liabilities
  LIFO inventory valuation.......................................................             8,747            8,947
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
     Total current...............................................................             8,747            8,947
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
  Depreciation...................................................................             8,295            9,214
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
     Total non-current...........................................................             8,295            9,214
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
        Total deferred tax liabilities...........................................            17,042           18,161
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
          Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)...........................       $     3,440      $   (10,969)
                                                                                        ============     =============
     Net current deferred income tax liabilities.................................       $    (1,219)     $    (2,173)
     Net non-current deferred income tax assets (liabilities)....................             4,659           (8,796)
                                                                                        ------------     -------------
          Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)...........................       $     3,440      $   (10,969)
                                                                                        ============     =============
</TABLE>

     The components of income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended
                                                         ---------------------------------------------
                                                         February 1,      January 31,     January 30,
                                                             1997            1998            1999
                                                         ------------    ------------    -------------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>             <C>        
           Current domestic taxes....................    $    11,777     $    13,427     $      (899)
           Current foreign taxes.....................          1,045             600          (1,759)
           Deferred taxes............................         (1,787)         (1,500)         14,644
                                                         ------------    ------------    ------------
           Income tax expense........................    $    11,035     $    12,527     $    11,986
                                                         ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>

                                      F-20

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8--INCOME TAXES (continued)

     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 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                          Year Ended
                                                         ---------------------------------------------
                                                         February 1,      January 31,     January 30,
                                                             1997            1998            1999
                                                         -------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>             <C>        
     Federal Statutory provision....................     $      7,977     $     9,703      $    9,975 
     Foreign taxes..................................            1,045             600          (1,759)
     State tax, net of federal benefit..............            1,857           1,642             830
     Non-deductible amortization....................            1,037           1,037           1,037
     Loss (benefit) of foreign tax credit...........           (1,045)           (600)          1,759
     Other..........................................              164             145             144
                                                         -------------    ------------    ------------
     Provision for income taxes.....................     $     11,035     $    12,527     $    11,986
                                                         =============    ============    ============
</TABLE>

     Section  382 of the  Code  restricts  utilization  of  net  operating  loss
("NOLs")  carryforwards  after an ownership change exceeding 50%. As a result of
the 1993  Recapitalization,  a change in ownership of the Company  exceeding 50%
occurred  within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code (a "Change of Control").
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.  At October 31, 1998, the Company has a NOL
carryforward for tax purposes of approximately  $11,500,000  which is subject to
an  annual  limit of  approximately  $2,000,000  per year,  of which  $7,500,000
expires in 2004 and $4,000,000 expires in 2005. At October 31, 1998, the Company
had investment tax credit ("ITC") carryovers of approximately $301,000, of which
$264,000  expires in 1999 and $37,000 in 2000. At October 31, 1998,  the Company
also had Alternative Minimum Tax Credit ('AMT") carryovers of $566,000 which may
be used  indefinitely  to reduce federal income taxes.  An additional  change in
ownership  within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code occurred as a result of
the 1997  Offering.  However,  there were no  additional  restrictions  upon the
Company's ability to utilize its NOLs or other carryforwards as a result of such
ownership change.

     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  year-end  holiday  season),  for
financial  reporting  purposes only, the NOL  carryforward  has been absorbed in
full and no NOL carryfoward exists as of January 30, 1999. Management determined
at January 30, 1999, that based upon the Company's history of operating earnings
and its  expectations  for the future,  no change to the valuation  allowance is
warranted,  with the  exception  of amounts  utilized  to offset the  expiration
during 1998 of an ITC carryover.






                                      F-21
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 9--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 consolidated financial
statements.

     The Company has an employment  agreement  with one senior  executive  which
provides for a minimum salary level as well as incentive  compensation  based on
meeting  specific  financial  goals.  Such agreement has a remaining term of two
years and has a remaining  aggregate minimum value of approximately $1.5 million
as of January 30, 1999.

     The Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  the Gold  Consignment  Agreement and the
Senior  Note  Indenture  currently  restrict  annual  distributions  from Finlay
Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay  Jewelry's net sales for the preceding
fiscal  year and also allow  distributions  to the  Company to enable it to make
interest payments on the Senior Debentures. During 1998, dividends of $7,118,000
were  declared and  $3,506,000  was  distributed  to the  Company.  During 1997,
dividends of $1,712,000 were declared. During 1996, dividends of $1,636,000 were
declared and $818,000 was distributed to the Company.

     The Company's concentration of credit risk consists principally of accounts
receivable.  Approximately  75%, 72% and 68% of Finlay's domestic sales in 1996,
1997 and 1998,  respectively,  were from operations in The May Department Stores
Company  ("May") and  departments  operated in store  groups  owned by Federated
Department Stores, of which 51%, 49% and 47% represented Finlay's domestic sales
in May in the respective  years.  The Company  believes that the risk associated
with these receivables,  other than those from department store groups indicated
above,  would not have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  financial
position or results of operations.
















                                      F-22
<PAGE>
                                                     
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 10--QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

     The following table summarizes the quarterly  financial data for 1996, 1997
and 1998 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
<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
    applicable to common shares (a):
       Basic net income (loss) per share.........           (0.59)             (0.21)          (0.36)            2.74
       Diluted net income (loss) per share.......           (0.59)             (0.21)          (0.35)            2.67
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     
                                                                        Year Ended January 31, 1998
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         First            Second            Third           Fourth
                                                        Quarter           Quarter          Quarter          Quarter
                                                      ------------     --------------    ------------     ------------
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>        
  Sales..........................................     $   134,592       $    148,060     $   148,770      $   338,440
  Gross margin...................................          68,870             75,948          77,107          176,852
  Net income (loss)..............................          (4,226)            (1,378)         (3,250)          24,049 
  Net income (loss) per share
    applicable to common shares (a):
       Basic net income (loss) per share.........           (0.57)             (0.19)          (0.42)            2.50
       Diluted net income (loss) per share.......           (0.56)             (0.18)          (0.42)            2.42 
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       
                                                                        Year Ended January 30, 1999
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         First            Second            Third           Fourth
                                                        Quarter         Quarter (b)        Quarter          Quarter
                                                      ------------     --------------    ------------     ------------
<S>                                                   <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>        
  Sales..........................................     $   160,992       $    177,366     $   165,894      $   359,176
  Gross margin...................................          82,888             90,057          84,687          184,346
  Net income (loss)..............................          (4,202)            (9,132)         (3,851)          26,284 
  Net income (loss) per share
    applicable to common shares (a):
       Basic net income (loss) per share.........           (0.43)             (0.88)          (0.37)            2.53 
       Diluted net income (loss) per share.......           (0.43)             (0.88)          (0.37)            2.52 
</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 second  quarter of 1998  includes  $655,000  of  nonrecurring  interest
     expense associated with the Refinancing and an extraordinary charge, net of
     tax, of $7,415,000 in conjunction  with the repayment of the Old Debentures
     and the Old Notes.


                                      F-23
<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11--ACQUISITION

     On October 6, 1997,  Finlay  completed the acquisition of certain assets of
the Diamond Park Fine Jewelers division of Zale Corporation  ("Diamond Park"), a
leading operator of leased departments,  for approximately $63.0 million,  which
includes  approximately  $4.9 million for the purchase of  additional  inventory
acquired in March 1998 and the reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the
Zale  Corporation.  By acquiring  Diamond Park, Finlay added 139 departments and
also added new host store  relationships  with  Marshall  Field's,  Parisian and
Dillard's,  formerly the Mercantile  Stores.  Finlay financed the acquisition of
Diamond  Park  (the  "Diamond  Park  Acquisition")  with  borrowings  under  the
Revolving Credit Agreement.

     The Diamond Park  Acquisition  has been  accounted for as a purchase,  and,
accordingly,  the operating  results of the former Diamond Park departments have
been included in the Company's  consolidated financial statements since the date
of the acquisition.  The Company has recorded  goodwill of  approximately  $12.4
million.

     The purchase price allocation as of January 30, 1999 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         Payment for purchase of Diamond Park assets....................                      $    62,481
<S>                                                                             <C>       
           Inventory....................................................        $   47,112
              Fixed assets..............................................             4,443
              Prepaid and other assets..................................               900
              Acquisition and integration costs.........................            (1,520)
              Other.....................................................              (836)
                                                                                -----------
         Fair value of assets acquired and costs incurred...............                           50,099
                                                                                              ------------
         Goodwill.......................................................                      $    12,382
                                                                                              ============
</TABLE>


     The  following   summarized,   unaudited  pro  forma  combined  results  of
operations  for the years ended  February 1, 1997 and January 31, 1998 have been
prepared assuming the Diamond Park Acquisition  occurred at the beginning of the
respective  periods.  The pro forma  information  is provided for  informational
purposes  only.  It is  based  on  historical  information,  as well as  certain
assumptions and estimates,  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>
                                                                                        (Unaudited)
                                                                                          Year Ended
                                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                                 February 1,     January 31,
                                                                                    1997             1998
                                                                                ------------    -------------
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>         
         Sales ......................................................           $   778,145     $    822,820
         Net income (loss)...........................................           $    12,756     $     13,928
         Net income (loss) per share:
              Basic net income (loss) per share......................           $      1.72     $       1.73
              Diluted net income (loss) per share....................           $      1.69     $       1.68
</TABLE>






                                      F-24
<PAGE>
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 12 - UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     The following  table  presents the  calculation  of pro forma  earnings per
share  data  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  Januray  30,  1999.  The  pro  forma
consolidated  financial  information  excludes the extraordinary charge of $12.2
million, on a pre-tax basis,  including $7.1 million for redemption premiums and
$3.9 million to write off deferred  financing and debt discount costs associated
with the Old  Debentures  and the Old  Notes.  The  income  tax  benefit  on the
extraordinary  charges  totaled  $4.8  million.  In  addition,   the  pro  forma
consolidated financial information excludes the nonrecurring interest associated
with  refinancing of $ 0.7 million,  on a pre-tax basis,  as a result of certain
call requirements on the debt retired.
 
In thousands, except share and
per  share amounts
(unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Year Ended
                                                                                     January 30,
                                                                                       1999
                                                                                   --------------
<S>                                                                                <C>          
Net income (loss) per Consolidated Statements of Operations................        $       9,099
Add:   Extraordinary charges from early extinguishment of
       debt, net of income tax benefit.....................................                7,415
Add:   Nonrecurring interest associated with refinancing,
       net of income tax benefit...........................................                  400
                                                                                   --------------
Pro Forma net income (loss)................................................        $      16,914
                                                                                   ==============

Pro Forma net income (loss) per share applicable to
    common shares:
    Basic net income (loss) per share......................................        $        1.65
                                                                                   ==============
    Diluted net income (loss) per share....................................        $        1.63
                                                                                   ==============
Weighted average shares and share equivalents outstanding..................           10,366,254
                                                                                   ==============
</TABLE>

















                                      F-25


<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 January 31,
1998  and  January  30,  1999,  and  the  related  consolidated   statements  of
operations,  changes in  stockholder's  equity and cash flows for the  fifty-two
weeks ended  February 1, 1997,  January  31,  1998 and January 30,  1999.  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 January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999, and
the results of their  operations  and their cash flows for the  fifty-two  weeks
ended  February 1, 1997,  January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999,  in  conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

New York, New York
March 24, 1999


















                                      F-26
<PAGE>

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


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                             Year Ended
                                                                          -----------------------------------------------
                                                                           February 1,      January 31,      January 30,
                                                                              1997             1998             1999
                                                                          -------------    -------------    -------------

<S>                                                                       <C>              <C>              <C>        
Sales................................................................     $   685,274      $   769,862      $   863,428
Cost of sales........................................................         330,300          371,085          421,450
                                                                          -------------    -------------    -------------
    Gross margin.....................................................         354,974          398,777          441,978
Selling, general and administrative expenses.........................         289,145          325,752          364,002
Depreciation and amortization........................................          10,840           12,163           15,672
                                                                          -------------    -------------    -------------
    Income (loss) from operations....................................          54,989           60,862           62,304
Interest expense, net................................................          22,526           24,413           24,612
Nonrecurring interest associated with refinancing....................          -                -                   417
                                                                          -------------    -------------    -------------
    Income (loss) before income taxes and                                                                      
      extraordinary charges..........................................          32,463           36,449           37,275
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.................................          14,501           15,528           15,323
                                                                          -------------    -------------    -------------
    Income (loss) before extraordinary charges.......................          17,962           20,921           21,952
Extraordinary charges from early extinguishment of debt,                                                       
      net of income tax benefit of $3,236............................          -                -                 4,755
                                                                          -------------    -------------    -------------
    Net income (loss)................................................     $    17,962      $    20,921      $    17,197
                                                                          =============    =============    =============

</TABLE>












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











                                      F-27
<PAGE>

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

                                                                                      January 31,        January 30,
                                                                                         1998              1999
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
                                      ASSETS
Current assets
<S>                                                                                  <C>               <C>        
  Cash and cash equivalents....................................................      $    12,655       $    16,631
  Accounts receivable - department stores......................................           20,772            19,147
  Other receivables............................................................            6,861            23,349
  Merchandise inventories......................................................          279,766           295,265
  Prepaid expenses and other...................................................            1,782             2,367
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
     Total current assets......................................................          321,836           356,759
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
Fixed assets
  Equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements...............................           95,257           106,735
  Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization.............................           28,249            36,620
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
     Fixed assets, net.........................................................           67,008            70,115
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
Deferred charges and other assets..............................................            8,339            13,982
Goodwill.......................................................................          104,271           100,547
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
     Total assets..............................................................      $   501,454       $   541,403
                                                                                     =============     =============

                       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

Current liabilities
  Accounts payable - trade.....................................................      $   160,424       $   160,424
  Accrued liabilities:
     Accrued salaries and benefits.............................................           12,694            15,760
     Accrued miscellaneous taxes...............................................            5,013             4,704
     Accrued insurance.........................................................              215               755
     Accrued interest..........................................................            3,902             3,448
     Accrued management transition and consulting..............................            1,092               676
     Other.....................................................................           14,639            14,644
  Income taxes payable.........................................................           15,853            23,991
  Deferred income taxes........................................................            1,220             2,166
  Due to parent................................................................           41,079             3,468
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
     Total current liabilities.................................................          256,131           230,036
Long-term debt.................................................................          135,000           150,000
Other non-current liabilities..................................................            8,497             9,284
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
     Total liabilities.........................................................          399,628           389,320
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
Stockholder's equity:
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 5,000 shares;
     issued and outstanding 1,000 shares.......................................           -                  -
  Additional paid-in capital ..................................................           44,851            82,975
  Retained earnings............................................................           63,818            73,897
  Foreign currency translation adjustment......................................           (6,843)           (4,789)
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
     Total stockholder's equity................................................          101,826           152,083
                                                                                     -------------     -------------
     Total liabilities and stockholder's equity................................      $   501,454       $   541,403
                                                                                     =============     =============

</TABLE>

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





                                      F-28
<PAGE>


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



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          
                                             Common Stock                                  Foreign               
                                         ------------------    Additional                  Currency        Total
                                           Number               Paid-in      Retained    Translation   Stockholder's   Comprehensive
                                         of shares   Amount     Capital      Earnings     Adjustment       Equity          Income
                                         ---------- -------   -----------   ----------   ------------  --------------  -------------
<S>               <C>                       <C>     <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>         
Balance, February 3, 1996.............      1,000   $  -      $   44,851    $  28,283    $     (747)   $     72,387
  Net income (loss)...................        -        -           -           17,962          -             17,962    $     17,962
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment.......................        -        -           -            -            (2,303)         (2,303)         (2,303)
                                                                                                                       -------------
  Comprehensive income................        -        -           -            -              -              -        $     15,659
  Dividends on Common Stock...........        -        -           -           (1,636)         -             (1,636)   =============
                                         ---------- -------   -----------   ----------   ------------  --------------  
Balance, February 1, 1997.............      1,000      -          44,851       44,609        (3,050)         86,410
  Net income (loss)...................        -        -           -           20,921          -             20,921    $     20,921
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment.......................        -        -           -            -            (3,793)         (3,793)         (3,793)
                                                                                                                       -------------
  Comprehensive income................        -        -           -            -              -              -        $     17,128
  Dividends on Common Stock...........        -        -           -           (1,712)         -             (1,712)   =============
                                         ---------- -------   -----------   ----------   ------------  --------------  
Balance, January 31, 1998.............      1,000      -          44,851       63,818        (6,843)        101,826
  Net income (loss)...................        -        -           -           17,197          -             17,197    $     17,197
  Capital contribution from parent....        -        -          38,124         -             -             38,124
  Foreign currency translation
     adjustment.......................        -        -           -             -            2,054           2,054           2,054
                                                                                                                       -------------
  Comprehensive income................        -        -           -             -             -              -        $     19,251
  Dividends on Common Stock...........        -        -           -           (7,118)         -             (7,118)   =============
                                         ---------- -------   -----------   ----------   ------------  --------------  
Balance, January 30, 1999.............      1,000   $  -      $   82,975    $  73,897    $   (4,789)   $    152,083
                                         ========== =======   ===========   ==========   ============  ==============  
</TABLE>










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








                                      F-29
<PAGE>


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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                 February 1,      January 31,     January 30,
                                                                                    1997            1998             1999
                                                                                -------------    -------------   -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>             <C>        
  Net income (loss)........................................................     $    17,962      $    20,921     $    17,197
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided
     from  (used in) operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization............................................          11,871           13,195          16,703
  Write-off of deferred financing costs....................................           -                -               2,023
  Redemption premium.......................................................           -                -               5,378
  Other, net...............................................................           1,845            1,495             381
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from purchase
     of Diamond Park assets (Note 11):
     (Increase) decrease in accounts and other receivables.................           1,560           (8,806)        (14,606)
     Increase in merchandise inventories...................................         (28,380)         (15,360)        (10,635)
     (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other.....................              66              385            (548)
     Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities..................           9,300           22,038          11,367
     Increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes..........................             (27)             416             946
     Increase (decrease) in due to parent..................................           -               40,030         (41,224)
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------
        NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) OPERATING
          ACTIVITIES.......................................................          14,197           74,314         (13,018)
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------
                                                                                
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements..............         (17,533)         (19,338)        (12,991)
  Payment for purchase of Diamond Park assets..............................           -              (57,642)         (4,857)
  Deferred charges and other...............................................            (839)          (2,386)         (5,286)
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------
        NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES..............................         (18,372)         (79,366)        (23,134)
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from revolving credit facility..................................         442,947          564,510         735,637
  Principal payments on revolving credit facility..........................        (442,947)        (564,510)       (735,637)
  Prepayment of Old Notes..................................................           -                -            (135,000)
  Payment of redemption premium............................................           -                -              (5,378)
  Capital contribution from parent.........................................           -                -              38,124
  Proceeds from senior note offering.......................................           -                -             150,000
  Payment of dividends.....................................................            (818)           -              (3,506)
  Capitalized financing costs..............................................           -               (2,347)         (4,173)
  Other, net...............................................................            (206)              (2)          -
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------
        NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) FINANCING
           ACTIVITIES......................................................          (1,024)          (2,349)         40,067
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------
        EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH............................            (146)            (336)             61
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------
        INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                             (5,345)          (7,737)          3,976
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.............................          25,737           20,392          12,655
                                                                                -------------    -------------    -------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD...................................     $    20,392       $   12,655      $   16,631
                                                                                =============    =============    =============
</TABLE>



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


                                      F-30
<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1--ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS

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

1998 Offering and Refinancing

     On April 24,  1998,  the Holding  Company  completed  a public  offering of
1,800,000 shares of its common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"),
at a price of $27.50 per share (the "1998  Offering"),  of which 567,310  shares
were sold by the  Holding  Company  and  1,232,690  shares  were sold by certain
selling stockholders.  Concurrently with the 1998 Offering,  the Holding Company
and Finlay  Jewelry  completed the public  offering of $75.0  million  aggregate
principal  amount  of  9%  Senior  Debentures  due  May  1,  2008  (the  "Senior
Debentures")  and $150.0  million  aggregate  principal  amount of 8-3/8% Senior
Notes due May 1, 2008 (the "Senior Notes"),  respectively. In addition, on April
24, 1998, the revolving credit agreement (the "Revolving Credit  Agreement") was
amended to increase the line of credit  thereunder to $275.0 million and to make
certain other changes.

     On May 26,  1998,  the net  proceeds to the Holding  Company  from the 1998
Offering,  the sale of the Senior  Debentures,  together  with  other  available
funds, were used to redeem the Holding Company's 12% Senior Discount  Debentures
due 2005 (the "Old Debentures"), including associated premiums. Also, on May 26,
1998,  Finlay Jewelry used the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes to
redeem  Finlay  Jewelry's  10-5/8%  Senior  Notes due 2003  (the  "Old  Notes"),
including  associated  premiums.  The  above  transactions,  excluding  the 1998
Offering, are referred to herein as the "Refinancing".  Finlay Jewelry recorded,
in the second quarter of 1998, a pre-tax  extraordinary  charge of approximately
$8.0 million, including $5.4 million for the redemption premium on the Notes and
$2.0  million to write off  deferred  financing  costs  associated  with the Old
Notes.

1997 and 1995 Public Offerings and Related Transactions

     On October 21, 1997, the Holding  Company  completed a public offering (the
"1997  Offering")  of 3,450,000  shares of its Common Stock at a price of $19.00
per  share,  of which  2,196,971  shares  were  issued  and sold by the  Holding
Company. An additional 1,253,029 shares were sold by existing stockholders.  Net
proceeds to the Holding  Company from the 1997  Offering were  $38,124,000.  The
Holding Company purchased inventory using the net proceeds and subsequently sold
this  inventory to Finlay  Jewelry.  In addition,  Finlay  Jewelry was charged a
service fee by the Holding Company of $1.9 million which is included in Selling,
general and administrative expenses in the accompanying  Consolidated Statements
of Operations.

     On April 6, 1995, the Holding Company  completed an initial public offering
(the "Initial  Public  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  Initial  Public
Offering  were  $30,200,000  and were  used to  repurchase  $6,103,000  accreted
balance  of the Old  Debentures  with the  balance of the net  proceeds  used to
reduce a portion of the outstanding indebtedness 



                                      F-31
<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1--ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY AND SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS
             (continued)

under  Finlay's   revolving   credit  facility  with  General  Electric  Capital
Corporation ("G.E. Capital") and the other lenders named thereto.

     Immediately  prior to the  completion of the Initial Public  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 Common Stock
(the "Series C Exchange")  at the initial  public  offering  price of $14.00 per
share.

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 "1993  Recapitalization").  Following  the 1993  Recapitalization,
management maintained a substantial equity interest in the Holding Company.

     The 1993  Recapitalization  included an investment by the Lee Investors and
the Desai  Investors  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 1993  Recapitalization  also  included  the public  issuance  by the Holding
Company of units  consisting of the Old Debentures and Common Stock,  the public
issuance by Finlay Jewelry of the Old Notes and the refinancing of Finlay's then
outstanding term loans and revolving indebtedness.

Organization and the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization

     Finlay Jewelry was initially  incorporated on August 2, 1985 as SL Holdings
Corporation ("SL Holdings").  The Holding Company,  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.

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.

     Fiscal Year:  Finlay  Jewelry's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to
January 31.  References to 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999 relate to the fiscal years
ended on February 1, 1997,  January 31,  1998,  January 30, 1999 and January 29,
2000. Each of the fiscal years includes 52 weeks.



                                      F-32

<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

     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 February 1, 1997,  January 31, 1998 and
January 30, 1999,  the  gain/loss on open futures  contracts  was not  material.
Finlay Jewelry did not have any open positions in futures  contracts for gold at
January 31, 1998 or January 30, 1999.

     In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 133,  "Accounting  for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". This Statement requires that all derivative
instruments  be recorded in the  balance  sheet as either an asset or  liability
measured at its fair value and that  changes in the  derivative's  fair value be
recognized  currently  in earnings.  SFAS No. 133 is effective  for fiscal years
beginning  after  June  15,  1999  and,  based  on  current  levels  of  hedging
activities,  is not  expected  to have a  material  impact on  Finlay  Jewelry's
financial position or results of operations.

     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  thirty-nine  years.  In
1997,  Finlay Jewelry  capitalized  $660,000 of interest in connection  with the
construction of its central distribution  facility. The capitalized interest was
recorded  as part of the asset to which it related and is being  amortized  over
the asset's estimated useful life.

     Principles of Consolidation:  The consolidated financial statements include
the  accounts  of  Finlay  Jewelry  and  its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries.   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 management information systems.

     In 1998,  Statement  of Position  No.  98-1,  "Accounting  for the Costs of
Computer  Software  Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" was issued,  whereby
Finlay Jewelry will be required to capitalize certain internal payroll costs for
employees directly associated with the development of software for internal use.
Finlay  Jewelry has adopted this  statement  in 1999,  and does not expect it to
have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

     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. The
Goodwill related to the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization and the Diamond Park



                                      F-33

<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Acquisition  (as  defined  in Note 11) is being  amortized  over 40 years and 20
years, respectively. 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  periods,  if and when  appropriate.  Amortization  of
Goodwill for 1996, 1997 and 1998 totaled $3,143,000,  $3,367,000 and $3,724,000,
respectively.  Accumulated  amortization  of  Goodwill  at January  31, 1998 and
January 30, 1999 totaled $27,825,000 and $31,612,000, 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 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.

     Comprehensive  Income:  In 1998,  Finlay  Jewelry  adopted  SFAS  No.  130,
"Reporting  Comprehensive  Income",  which requires  disclosure of comprehensive
income in a financial statement. Comprehensive income is defined as the total of
net income and all other  nonowner  changes in  equity,  which  under  generally
accepted  accounting  principles are recorded  directly to stockholder's  equity
and,  therefore,  bypass net  income.  Finlay  Jewelry  has  chosen to  disclose
comprehensive   income,  which  encompasses  net  income  and  foreign  currency
translation   adjustments,   in  the  Consolidated   Statements  of  Changes  in
Stockholder's Equity.

     Debt Issuance  Costs:  Debt issuance costs are amortized using the straight
line method over the term of the related debt  agreements.  Debt issuance  costs
totaled  approximately  $4,700,000 at January 31, 1998 and $5,697,000 at January
30,  1999.  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 1996,  1997 and 1998 totaled  $889,000,
$889,000 and $1,030,000,  respectively, and have been recorded as a component of
Interest expense, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

     Revenue  Recognition:  Finlay Jewelry  recognizes  revenue upon the sale of
merchandise,  either owned or consigned, to its host department store customers,
net of anticipated returns.

     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 in the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

     Advertising  Costs:  All costs  associated with advertising are expensed in
the month that the  advertising  takes  place.  For 1996,  1997 and 1998,  gross
advertising expenses,  before vendor support, were $43,747,000,  $47,913,000 and
$55,287,000,   respectively   and  are   included   in   Selling,   general  and
administrative   expenses  in  the  accompanying   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 1996, 1997 and 1998 was  $21,480,000,  $23,347,000  (net of
capitalized interest) and $24,453,000, respectively. Income taxes paid


                                      F-34

<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2--SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

in  1996,   1997  and  1998  totaled   $9,320,000,   $10,630,000  and  $396,000,
respectively. Refer to Note 11 for a discussion of the Diamond Park Acquisition.

     Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Cash, accounts receivable,  short-term
borrowings,  accounts  payable  and accrued  liabilities  are  reflected  in the
consolidated  financial  statements  at fair  value  because  of the  short-term
maturity  of  these  instruments.  Marketable  securities  are  recorded  in the
consolidated  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  disclosed,  in Note 5, 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 and to date, 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.  As such,
results for interim periods are not indicative of annual results.  Refer to Note
10 for unaudited quarterly financial data.

NOTE 3--MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES

     Merchandise inventories consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            January 31,         January 30,
                                                                               1998                1999
                                                                          --------------       --------------
                                                                                       (in thousands)
   Jewelry goods - rings, watches and other fine jewelry
<S>                                                                       <C>                  <C>          
       (specific identification basis)...............................     $    286,289         $     300,777
   Less:  Excess of specific identification cost over LIFO
       inventory value...............................................            6,523                 5,512
                                                                          --------------       ---------------
                                                                          $    279,766          $    295,265
                                                                          ==============       ===============
</TABLE>

     The LIFO method had the effect of decreasing  Income before income taxes in
1996 by $1,919,000 and increasing Income before income taxes in 1997 and 1998 by
$2,330,000 and $1,011,000,  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
January 30, 1999.

     Approximately $219,822,000 and $283,793,000 at January 31, 1998 and January
30, 1999, respectively, of merchandise received on consignment has been excluded
from  Merchandise  inventories and Accounts  payable-trade  in the  accompanying
Consolidated   Balance  Sheets.  



                                      F-35

<PAGE>

                    FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO
                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3--MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES (continued)

     Finlay  Jewelry  is  party  to a  gold  consignment  agreement  (the  "Gold
Consignment   Agreement"),   which  expires  on  December  31,  2001.  The  Gold
Consignment Agreement enables Finlay Jewelry to receive 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,  title to the gold  content  of the  merchandise  transfers  from the
vendors to the gold consignor.

     Finlay can obtain,  pursuant to the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  up to the
lesser of (i)  85,000  fine troy  ounces or (ii)  $32.0  million  worth of gold,
subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. At January
31, 1998 and January 30, 1999,  amounts  outstanding  under the Gold Consignment
Agreement  totaled 39,676 and 78,836 fine troy ounces,  respectively,  valued at
approximately $12.1 million and $22.5 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 Sheets and, therefore,  no
related  liability  has been  recorded.  Under the Gold  Consignment  Agreement,
Finlay is required to pay a daily  consignment  fee on the dollar  equivalent of
the fine  gold  value of the  ounces  of gold  consigned  thereunder.  The daily
consignment  fee is based on a floating  rate which,  as of January 31, 1998 and
January 30, 1999, was approximately 4.3% and 3.2%,  respectively,  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 less than $12.0  million.  Included in
interest  expense  for the year ended  January 31, 1998 and January 30, 1999 are
consignment fees of $725,000 and $615,000, respectively.

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

     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 January 30, 1999.

NOTE 4--SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT

     The Holding Company and Finlay Jewelry are parties to the Revolving  Credit
Agreement with G.E.  Capital and the other lenders thereto which provides Finlay
with a senior  secured  revolving  line of credit of up to $275.0  million  (the
"Revolving  Credit  Facility"),  a portion of which is  available to the Holding
Company under certain  circumstances.  The Revolving  Credit  Facility  provides
Finlay  with a facility  maturing  in March  2003,  for  borrowings  based on an
advance rate of (i) up to 85% of eligible accounts receivable and (ii) up to 60%
of eligible 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 (except that any increase in the  borrowing  base rate  percentage
shall require the consent of the lenders). Finlay Jewelry is permitted to use up
to $30 million of the Revolving Credit Agreement 


                                      F-36

<PAGE>

                        FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

for the  issuance or  guarantee  of letters of credit  issued for the account of
Finlay Jewelry.  The outstanding  revolving  credit balance and letter of credit
balance  under the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement are required to be reduced each
year to $50  million  or less and $20  million or less,  respectively,  for a 30
consecutive day period (the "Balance  Reduction  Requirement").  Funds available
under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement are utilized to finance  working  capital
needs.

     Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a
rate equal to, at Finlay's option, (i) the Index Rate (as defined) plus a margin
ranging from zero to 1.0% or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.0%
to 2.0%, in each case depending on the financial  performance of Finlay.  "Index
Rate" is defined as the higher of (i) the rate publicly quoted from time to time
by The Wall Street  Journal as the "base rate on  corporate  loans at large U.S.
money  center  commercial  banks" and (ii) the Federal  Funds Rate plus 50 basis
points per annum. A letter of credit fee of 1.5% per annum of the face amount of
letters of credit  guaranteed  under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement is payable
monthly in arrears.  An unused  facility fee on the average unused daily balance
of the Revolving  Credit  Facility is payable monthly in arrears equal to 0.375%
per annum up to $225.0  million and 0.25% per annum up to $275.0  million.  Upon
the  occurrence  (and during the  continuance)  of an event of default under the
Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  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  Agreement 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 Agreement  contains  customary  covenants,  including
limitations  on  or  relating  to  capital  expenditures,  liens,  indebtedness,
investments,   mergers,   acquisitions,   affiliate   transactions,   management
compensation  and the payment of dividends  and other  restricted  payments.  In
addition,  the lenders have the right to approve certain private sales of Common
Stock. The Revolving Credit Agreement 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 January 30, 1999.

     There were no amounts  outstanding  at January 31, 1998 or January 30, 1999
under the Revolving Credit Agreement.  The maximum amounts outstanding under the
Revolving  Credit  Agreement  during  1996,  1997  and 1998  were  $114,100,000,
$189,200,000 and $176,000,000, respectively. The average amounts outstanding for
the same periods were $75,371,000,  $107,700,000 and $123,800,000  (adjusted for
the impact of the  temporary  paydown of the  Revolving  Credit  Facility due to
certain call  requirements  associated  with the Old Notes),  respectively.  The
weighted  average  interest  rates were 8.0%,  7.9% and 7.6% for 1996,  1997 and
1998, respectively.

     At January  31, 1998 and  January  30,  1999,  Finlay had letters of credit
outstanding  totaling  $10.3  million  and  $6.7  million,  respectively,  which
guarantee various trade activities. The contract amount of the letters of credit
approximate their fair value.



                                      F-37

<PAGE>

                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

     Long-term debt consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          January 31,       January 30,
                                                                             1998              1999
                                                                         -------------     -------------
                                                                                 (in thousands)
<S>                                                                      <C>               <C>     
         Old Notes (a)............................................       $    135,000      $      -
         Senior Notes (b).........................................              -               150,000
                                                                         -------------     -------------
                                                                         $    135,000      $    150,000
                                                                         =============     =============
</TABLE>
____________________________
(a)  On May 26, 1998, Finlay Jewelry retired the Old Notes. Refer to Note 1.

(b)  On April 24, 1998, as part of the Refinancing, Finlay Jewelry issued 8-3/8%
     Senior  Notes  due  May 1,  2008  with an  aggregate  principal  amount  of
     $150,000,000.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on May
     1 and November 1 of each year, and commenced on November 1, 1998. Except in
     the case of certain equity  offerings,  the Senior Notes are not redeemable
     prior to May 1, 2003. Thereafter,  the Senior 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  indenture  relating to
     the Senior Notes (the "Senior Note Indenture")),  each holder of the Senior
     Notes  will have the right to require  Finlay  Jewelry  to  repurchase  its
     Senior  Notes at a purchase  price  equal to 101% of the  principal  amount
     thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest  thereon to the repurchase  date.
     The  Senior  Notes  rank  senior in right of  payment  to all  subordinated
     indebtedness  of  Finlay  and  pari  passu in  right  of  payment  with all
     unsubordinated   indebtedness  of  Finlay  Jewelry.  However,  because  the
     Revolving Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of substantially  all the
     assets of Finlay Jewelry, the Senior Notes are effectively  subordinated to
     the  borrowings  under the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement.  The Senior  Note
     Indenture  contains  restrictions  relating  to,  among other  things,  the
     payment of dividends,  the issuance of  disqualified  stock,  the making of
     certain  investments  or  other  restricted  payments,  the  incurrence  of
     additional  indebtedness,  the  creation of certain  liens,  entering  into
     certain transactions with affiliates, the disposition of certain assets and
     engaging in mergers and consolidations.

     The fair value of the Senior Notes at January 30, 1999, determined based on
     market quotes, was $141,000,000.

     On April 24, 1998, as part of the  Refinancing,  the Holding Company issued
     9% Senior Debentures due May 1, 2008 with an aggregate  principal amount of
     $75,000,000.  Interest on the Senior Debentures is payable semi-annually on
     May 1 and November 1 of each year,  and commenced on November 1, 1998.  The
     Senior  Debentures  are secured by a first  priority  lien on and  security
     interest  in all of the issued  and  outstanding  stock 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 Senior  Debentures.  As a result, the Senior Debentures are effectively
     subordinated  to all  indebtedness  and all  other  obligations  of  Finlay
     Jewelry. The Senior Debenture Indenture contains  restrictions relating to,
     among other things, the payment of dividends,  the issuance of disqualified
     stock, the making of certain investments or other restricted payments,  the
     incurrence  of  additional  indebtedness,  the  creation of certain  liens,
     entering into


                                      F-38

<PAGE>

 
                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

     certain transactions with affiliates, the disposition of certain assets and
     engaging in mergers and consolidations.

     Finlay was in compliance  with all of the provisions of the Senior Note and
     Senior Debenture Indentures as of and for the year ended January 30, 1999.

     The aggregate  amounts of long-term  debt payable in each of the five years
in the period ending February 1, 2004 and thereafter are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 (in thousands)
                                                                 ---------------
<S>                                                              <C>     
   1999................................................          $      -
   2000................................................                 -
   2001................................................                 -
   2002................................................                 -
   2003................................................                 -
   Thereafter..........................................                150,000
                                                                 ---------------
                                                                 $     150,000
                                                                 ===============
</TABLE>

     Interest expense for 1996, 1997 and 1998 was  $22,609,000,  $24,448,000 and
$24,898,000  (including  $417,000 of nonrecurring  interest  associated with the
Refinancing),  respectively.  Interest  income for the same periods was $83,000,
$35,000 and $108,000, respectively.

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

     The Holding  Company's  Long Term  Incentive Plan (the "1993 Plan") permits
the Holding  Company to grant to key  employees  of the Holding  Company and its
subsidiaries,  consultants  and certain  other  persons,  and  directors  of the
Holding Company (other than members of the Compensation Committee of the Holding
Company's  Board of  Directors),  the following:  (i) stock options;  (ii) stock
appreciation   rights  in  tandem  with  stock  options;   (iii)  limited  stock
appreciation   rights  in  tandem  with  stock  options;   (iv)   restricted  or
nonrestricted  stock  awards  subject  to  such  terms  and  conditions  as  the
Compensation  Committee shall determine;  (v) performance  units which are based
upon  attainment of  performance  goals during a period of not less than two nor
more than five years and which may be settled in cash or in Common  Stock at the
discretion  of the  Compensation  Committee;  or  (vi)  any  combination  of the
foregoing.  Under the 1993 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.  As of January 30, 1999,  an aggregate of 732,596  shares of the
Holding  Company's  Common Stock has been reserved for issuance  pursuant to the
1993 Plan, of which a total of 575,251 shares are subject to options  granted to
certain senior management, key employees and a director.

     On March 6, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Holding Company adopted the
1997 Long Term  Incentive  Plan (the "1997  Plan"),  which was  approved  by the
Holding Company's  stockholders in June 1997. The 1997 Plan, which is similar to
the 1993 Plan,  is intended as a successor to the 1993 Plan and provides for the
grant of the same  types of awards  as are  currently  available  under the 1993
Plan.  The Board of Directors  adopted an amendment to the 1997 Plan,  which was
approved by the Holding Company's  stockholders in June 1998, whereby the number
of options  available  for issuance  under the 


                                      F-39


<PAGE>

                        FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

1997 Plan were  increased  to  850,000.  Of the  850,000  shares of the  Holding
Company's Common Stock that have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1997
Plan, a total of 542,582 shares,  as of January 30, 1999, are subject to options
granted to certain senior management,  key employees and directors. The exercise
prices of such options range from $13.875 per share to $24.313 per share.

     Finlay  has  adopted  the  disclosure-only  provisions  of  SFAS  No.  123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation,"  which became  effective in 1996. As
permitted by SFAS No. 123, Finlay 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,  net income would have been reduced by $219,000 in
1996, $330,000 in 1997 and $601,000 in 1998. 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 1996,  1997 and 1998 was  estimated
using the  Black-Scholes  option-pricing  model  based on the  weighted  average
market  price at the grant date of $13.56 in 1996,  $14.95 in 1997 and $16.15 in
1998 and the following weighted average assumptions:  risk free interest rate of
6.67%, 6.57% and 5.17% for 1996, 1997 and 1998,  respectively,  expected life of
seven years for each of 1996,  1997 and 1998 and  volatility of 35.10% for 1996,
32.98% for 1997 and 44.95% for 1998. The weighted  average fair value of options
granted in 1996, 1997 and 1998 was $6.88, $7.33 and $8.88, respectively.

     The following summarizes the transactions pursuant to the Holding Company's
1993 Plan and 1997 Plan for 1996, 1997 and 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  1996                           1997                           1998
                                        --------------------------     --------------------------    ---------------------------
                                         Number of      Wtd. Avg.       Number of      Wtd. Avg.      Number of       Wtd. Avg.
                                          Options       Ex. Price        Options       Ex. Price       Options        Ex. Price
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>                <C>         <C>               <C>          <C>       
Outstanding at beginning of year...        545,834     $    11.61         523,767     $    11.93        989,500      $    13.55
Granted............................         21,333          13.56         505,167          14.95        201,067           16.15
Exercised..........................        (27,826)          7.23         (23,241)          8.74        (56,993)           8.69
Forfeited..........................        (15,574)         11.45         (16,193)         11.25        (15,741)          13.03
                                        -----------    -----------     -----------    -----------    -----------     -----------
Outstanding at end of year.........        523,767          11.93         989,500          13.55      1,117,833           10.27
                                        ===========    ===========     ===========    ===========    ===========     ===========
Exercisable at end of year.........        207,122     $    10.94         282,020     $    11.47        349,660      $    11.32
</TABLE>

     The options  outstanding  at January 30, 1999 have exercise  prices between
$7.23 and  $24.31,  with a  weighted  average  exercise  price of  $10.27  and a
weighted average  remaining  contractual life of 7.54 years.  Options  generally
vest in five years and expire in ten years from their dates 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.
On April 24, 1998, the senior  officer sold 100,000 of the Purchased  Shares and
repaid the note.




                                      F-40

<PAGE>
                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

     On December 1, 1998, the  Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors
of the  Holding  Company  approved  the  repricing  of  292,103  of the  Holding
Company's  outstanding  stock  options  at an  exercise  price of  $8.25,  which
excludes  stock options  previously  granted to certain  senior  executives  and
members of the Board of  Directors.  Shares  acquired  upon the exercise of such
repriced  options may not be sold for a period of one year. On December 1, 1998,
60,000 stock  options were  granted to three  senior  executives  at an exercise
price of $8.25.  Such options vest over a period of three years,  50% in each of
the second and third years.

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 department store 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
host store 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 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended
                                                         ---------------------------------------------
                                                          February 1,      January 31,     January 30,
                                                              1997            1998            1999
                                                         -------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                      <C>              <C>             <C>        
           Minimum fees..............................    $      6,188     $     9,732     $    24,824
           Contingent fees...........................         103,319         115,331         115,720
                                                         -------------    ------------    ------------
                Total................................    $    109,507     $   125,063     $   140,544
                                                         =============    ============    ============
</TABLE>

     Future  minimum  payments  under  noncancellable  operating  leases  having
initial or  remaining  noncancellable  lease  terms in excess of one year are as
follows as of January 30, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                    
                                                               (in thousands)
                                                               --------------
<S> <C>                                                        <C>         
    1999.................................................      $     22,264
    2000.................................................            17,839
    2001                                                              3,428
    2002                                                              2,633
    2003                                                              2,444
    Thereafter...........................................             9,106
                                                               --------------
         Total minimum payments required.................      $     57,714
                                                               ==============
</TABLE>

                                      F-41

<PAGE>
                                            
                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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.

     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   $1,753,000,
$1,771,000 and $2,043,000 for 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

















                                      F-42

<PAGE>
                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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
wholly owned subsidiaries and its parent, the Holding Company.  Finlay Jewelry's
provision  for  income  taxes  and  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  was
calculated as if Finlay Jewelry 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.

     Deferred tax assets and liabilities at year end are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Year Ended
                                                                                    ------------------------------
                                                                                     January 31,      January 30,
                                                                                        1998              1999
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
                                                                                           (in thousands)
Deferred Tax Assets
<S>                                                                                 <C>               <C>        
  Uniform inventory capitalization...............................................   $     3,569       $     3,483
  Expense not currently deductible...............................................         3,492             2,832
  ITC carryover..................................................................           950               301
  AMT credit.....................................................................           566               566
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
                                                                                          8,577             7,182
  Valuation allowance............................................................         1,050               401
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
     Total current...............................................................         7,527             6,781
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
  Deferred financing costs-non-current...........................................           293               191
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
     Total non-current...........................................................           293               191
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
        Total deferred tax assets................................................         7,820             6,972
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
Deferred Tax Liabilities
  LIFO inventory valuation.......................................................         8,747             8,947
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
     Total current...............................................................         8,747             8,947
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
  Depreciation...................................................................         8,295             9,214
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
     Total non-current...........................................................         8,295             9,214
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
        Total deferred tax liabilities...........................................        17,042            18,161
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
          Net deferred income tax liabilities....................................   $     9,222       $    11,189
                                                                                    ============      ============
     Net current deferred income tax liabilities.................................   $     1,220       $     2,166
     Net non-current deferred income tax liabilities.............................         8,002             9,023
                                                                                    ------------      ------------
          Net deferred income tax liabilities....................................   $     9,222       $    11,189
                                                                                    ============      ============
</TABLE>
     The components of income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          Year Ended
                                                         ---------------------------------------------
                                                          February 1,     January 31,     January 30,
                                                             1997            1998            1999
                                                         ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>        
           Current domestic taxes....................    $    12,291     $   13,1104     $    14,880
           Current foreign taxes.....................          1,045             600          (1,759)
           Deferred taxes............................          1,165           1,818           2,202
                                                         ------------    ------------    ------------
           Income tax expense........................    $    14,501     $    15,528     $    15,323
                                                         ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>
                                      F-43
<PAGE>


                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8--INCOME TAXES (continued)

     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 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended
                                                         ---------------------------------------------
                                                          February 1,     January 31,     January 30,
                                                              1997           1998            1999
                                                         ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>        
     Federal Statutory provision....................     $    11,367     $    12,757     $    13,046
     Foreign taxes..................................           1,045             600          (1,759)
     State tax, net of federal benefit..............           1,934           1,589           1,096
     Non-deductible amortization....................           1,037           1,037           1,037
     Loss (benefit) of foreign tax credit...........          (1,045)           (600)          1,759
     Other..........................................             163             145             144
                                                         ------------    ------------    ------------
     Provision for income taxes.....................     $    14,051     $    15,528     $    15,323
                                                         ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>

     Section  382 of the  Code  restricts  utilization  of  net  operating  loss
("NOLs")  carryforwards  after an ownership change exceeding 50%. As a result of
the  1993  Recapitalization,  a  change  in  ownership  of the  Holding  Company
exceeding 50% occurred  within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code (a "Change
of  Control").   Similar   restrictions  will  apply  to  other   carryforwards.
Consequently, there is a material limitation on the annual utilization of Finlay
Jewelry's net operating loss and other  carryforwards  which requires a deferral
or loss of the utilization of such  carryforwards.  At October 31, 1998,  Finlay
Jewelry has a NOL  carryforward  for tax purposes of  approximately  $11,500,000
which is subject to an annual limit of  approximately  $2,000,000  per year,  of
which $7,500,000  expires in 2004 and $4,000,000 expires in 2005. At October 31,
1998,   Finlay  Jewelry  had   investment  tax  credit  ("ITC")   carryovers  of
approximately  $301,000,  of which $264,000 expires in 1999 and $37,000 in 2000.
At October 31,  1998,  Finlay  Jewelry also had  Alternative  Minimum Tax Credit
("AMT")  carryovers of $566,000 which may be used indefinitely to reduce federal
income taxes.  An additional  change in ownership  within the meaning of Section
382 of the Code occurred as a result of the 1997 Offering.  However,  there were
no additional  restrictions upon Finlay Jewelry's ability to utilize its NOLs or
other carryforwards as a result of such ownership change.

     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  year-end  holiday  season),  for
financial  reporting  purposes only, the NOL  carryforward  has been absorbed in
full and no NOL carryfoward exists as of January 30, 1999. Management determined
at January 30,  1999,  that based upon  Finlay  Jewelry's  history of  operating
earnings  and its  expectations  for the  future,  no  change  to the  valuation
allowance is  warranted,  with the  exception of amounts  utilized to offset the
expiration during 1998 of an ITC carryover.






                                      F-44

<PAGE>
                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 consolidated financial
statements.

     Finlay Jewelry has an employment  agreement with one senior executive which
provides for a minimum salary level as well as incentive  compensation  based on
meeting  specific  financial  goals.  Such agreement has a remaining term of two
years and has a remaining  aggregate minimum value of approximately $1.5 million
as of January 30, 1999.

     The Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  the Gold  Consignment  Agreement and the
Senior  Note  Indenture  currently  restrict  annual  distributions  from Finlay
Jewelry to the Holding  Company to 0.25% of Finlay  Jewelry's  net sales for the
preceding  fiscal year and also allow  distributions  to the Holding  Company to
enable it to make  interest  payments  on the Senior  Debentures.  During  1998,
dividends of $7,118,000  were declared and  $3,506,000  was  distributed  to the
Holding  Company.  During 1997,  dividends of $1,712,000  were declared.  During
1996,  dividends of $1,636,000 were declared and $818,000 was distributed to the
Holding Company.

     The Company's concentration of credit risk consists principally of accounts
receivable.  Approximately  75%, 72% and 68% of Finlay's domestic sales in 1996,
1997 and 1998  respectively,  were from operations in The May Department  Stores
Company  ("May") and  departments  operated in store  groups  owned by Federated
Department Stores, of which 51%, 49% and 47% represented Finlay's domestic sales
in May in the respective years. Finlay Jewelry believes that the risk associated
with these receivables,  other than those from department store groups indicated
above,  would not have a material adverse effect on Finlay  Jewelry's  financial
position or results of operations.












                                      F-45

<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 1996, 1997
and 1998 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
<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>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                                                      

                                                                        Year Ended January 31, 1998
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                         First          Second          Third          Fourth
                                                        Quarter         Quarter        Quarter         Quarter
                                                      -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>       
  Sales..........................................     $  134,592      $  148,060     $  148,770      $  338,440
  Gross margin...................................         68,870          75,948         77,107         176,852
  Net income (loss)..............................         (2,599)            351         (2,549)         25,718
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                                                       
                                                                        Year Ended January 30, 1999
                                                      ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                         First          Second          Third          Fourth
                                                        Quarter        Quarter(a)      Quarter         Quarter
                                                      -----------     -----------    -----------     -----------
<S>                                                   <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>       
  Sales..........................................     $  160,992      $  177,366     $  165,894      $  359,176
  Gross margin...................................         82,888          90,057         84,687         184,346 
  Net income (loss)..............................         (2,574)         (5,093)        (2,655)         27,519
                                                                                                          
</TABLE>
____________________________
(a)  The second  quarter of 1998  includes  $417,000  of  nonrecurring  interest
     expense   associated   with  the  refinancing  of  the  Old  Notes  and  an
     extraordinary  charge,  net of tax, of $4,755,000 in  conjunction  with the
     repayment of the Old Notes.

NOTE 11--ACQUISITION

     On October 6, 1997,  Finlay  completed the acquisition of certain assets of
the Diamond Park Fine Jewelers division of Zale Corporation  ("Diamond Park"), a
leading operator of leased departments,  for approximately $63.0 million,  which
includes  approximately  $4.9 million for the purchase of  additional  inventory
acquired in March 1998 and the reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the
Zale  Corporation.  By acquiring  Diamond Park, Finlay added 139 departments and
also added new host store  relationships  with  Marshall  Field's,  Parisian and
Dillard's,  formerly the Mercantile  Stores.  Finlay financed the acquisition of
Diamond  Park  (the  "Diamond  Park  Acquisition")  with  borrowings  under  the
Revolving Credit Agreement.

     The Diamond Park  Acquisition  has been  accounted for as a purchase,  and,
accordingly,  the operating  results of the former Diamond Park departments have
been included in Finlay Jewelry's  consolidated  financial  statements since the
date of the acquisition.  Finlay Jewelry has recorded  goodwill of approximately
$12.4 million.

                                      F-46

<PAGE>
                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11-ACQUISITION (continued)

     The purchase price allocation as of January 30, 1999 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                         <C>      
  Payment for purchase of Diamond Park assets....................                    $  62,481
    Inventory....................................................     $  47,112
       Fixed assets..............................................         4,443
       Prepaid and other assets..................................           900
       Acquisition and integration costs.........................        (1,520)
       Other.....................................................          (836)
                                                                      ----------
  Fair value of assets acquired and costs incurred...............                       50,099
                                                                                     ----------
  Goodwill.......................................................                    $  12,382
                                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>

     The  following   summarized,   unaudited  pro  forma  combined  results  of
operations  for the years ended  February 1, 1997 and January 31, 1998 have been
prepared assuming the Diamond Park Acquisition  occurred at the beginning of the
respective  periods.  The pro forma  information  is provided for  informational
purposes  only.  It is  based  on  historical  information,  as well as  certain
assumptions and estimates,  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>
                                                                            (Unaudited)
                                                                             Year Ended
                                                                    -----------------------------
                                                                     February 1,     January 31,
                                                                       1997             1998
                                                                    ------------    ------------
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>        
  Sales ......................................................      $   778,145     $   822,820
  Net income (loss)...........................................      $    18,961     $    19,654
</TABLE>










                                      F-47




                                                                Exhibit 10.5(d)

                 [Letterhead of Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation]






                                                              February 1, 1999


Mr. David B. Cornstein
Penthouse A
430 East 56th Street
New York, New York  10022

Dear Mr. Cornstein:

     Reference  is made to the  Employment  Agreement  dated  May 26,  1993,  as
amended,  by and between Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation (the "Company") and you
(the "Employment  Agreement").  It is acknowledged and agreed that, effective as
of the date hereof,  the term of employment under Section 2(a) of the Employment
Agreement has expired and that the Employment  Agreement is terminated and of no
further force and effect,  subject to the terms and conditions  hereinafter  set
forth.  Capitalized  terms  used  herein  which are  defined  in the  Employment
Agreement and not defined herein shall have the same meaning herein as therein.

     1.  You  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  by March  30,  1999  all  unpaid
compensation (including Base Salary and Incentive Compensation in respect of the
fiscal year ended January 30, 1999, if any), expense reimbursements and benefits
due to you through January 31, 1999 pursuant to the Employment Agreement, except
that no Severance Amount shall be due and owing to you. In addition, for the two
year period commencing on the date hereof, you shall continue to be entitled, as
if still  employed  under the  Employment  Agreement,  to all of the  health and
medical benefits  provided for therein,  including  payment for the catastrophic
health insurance referred to in Section 5(b) thereof.

     2. You shall continue to be bound by your  obligations set forth in Section
11 [covenant not to compete] and Section 12 [confidentiality],  respectively, of
the Employment Agreement; provided, however, that your obligations under Section
11 shall  terminate on January 31, 2003.  The Company  shall have all rights set
forth in Section 11 and 12 with regard to any breach by you of your  obligations
contained therein, including, without limitation, the right to obtain injunctive
relief in accordance with such sections.

<PAGE>

     3.  Your  rights  and  the   obligations   of  Finlay   Enterprises,   Inc.
("Enterprises")  and the  Company  pursuant  to the  provisions  of  Section  16
[indemnification]  of the  Employment  Agreement  shall survive the  termination
thereof.

     4. You shall  continue to be entitled,  commencing on the date hereof until
January 31, 2001, to serve as Chairman Emeritus of Finlay Enterprises, Inc.

     5. This Agreement  sets forth the parties'  final and entire  agreement and
supersedes any and all prior  understandings with respect to its subject matter.
This Agreement  shall bind and benefit the parties  hereto and their  respective
heirs,  successors  and assigns,  but no right or  obligation  hereunder  may be
assigned without the other party's prior written consent.  This Agreement cannot
be changed,  waived or terminated except by a writing signed by you, the Company
and  Enterprises  and shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with the
laws of the  State of New  York  applicable  to  contracts  made  and  performed
entirely within such state.

     If the foregoing  correctly sets forth your understanding of our agreement,
please so indicate by signing and returning to us a copy of this letter.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION



                                       By: /s/ Arthur E. Reiner
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Arthur E. Reiner
                                       Title: Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Accepted and Agreed to:


By: /s/ David B. Cornstein                        
    --------------------------------------------
    Name:  David B. Cornstein
    

Acknowledged and Agreed to:

FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.

By: /s/ Arthur E. Reiner                        
    --------------------------------------------
    Name:  Arthur E. Reiner
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer





                              CONSULTING AGREEMENT


     Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1999, by and between FINLAY FINE JEWELRY
CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"),  and PINNACLE ADVISORS
LIMITED, a New York corporation (the "Consultant").

     WHEREAS, the Corporation wishes to retain the Consultant and the Consultant
has agreed to undertake and perform the obligations herein set forth, subject to
the terms hereof.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises,  covenants and agreements
set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

     1. Engagement of Consultant;  Duties.  The  Corporation  hereby engages the
Consultant,  and the  Consultant  agrees to be engaged,  as a consultant  on the
terms and conditions set forth below. The Consultant  agrees that it will, as an
independent contractor,  serve, on a non-exclusive basis, as a consultant to the
Corporation  and its  affiliates,  performing  such services,  including but not
limited to, advising on domestic and international operations and opportunities,
asset  deployment,  acquisition and divestiture  programs,  department and store
openings and closings,  marketing  strategy,  meeting with lenders,  capital and
operating  budgets and other  business  matters,  subject to the  direction  and
control of the  Corporation's  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
and the  Corporation's  Board of Directors.  The Consultant's  role is that of a
consultant  and  advisor  to,  and not  that of a  manager  or  employee  of the
Corporation. It is agreed that a representative of the Consultant will hold such
directorships in the Corporation and its affiliates to which he may from time to
time be elected and he shall be provided  with an adequate  office,  a secretary
and other working facilities at the Corporation's  principal  executive offices;
unless  otherwise  agreed by the parties hereto,  the obligation to provide such
office space shall be satisfied by the Consultant being provided with the office
heretofore  utilized  by David  B.  Cornstein.  The  Consultant  represents  and
warrants that it is not subject to any  agreement,  covenant or legal  restraint
which precludes or otherwise  restricts its ability to enter into this Agreement
and perform the services contemplated hereby.

     2.  Time.  The  Consultant  will  devote  such time to the  affairs  of the
Corporation  (and its  affiliates)  as is  necessary  to  perform  the  services
contemplated  hereby in a professional and effective manner,  subject to illness
and  reasonable   requirements  


<PAGE>

of other businesses and activities of the Consultant's personnel. The Consultant
may perform services hereunder in such manner (whether by conference, telephone,
letter or  otherwise)  and at such time and place as Consultant  may  reasonably
determine.  It is presently contemplated that, if available,  Mr. Cornstein will
attempt to act for the Consultant in the performance of the services required of
the Consultant hereunder. Nothing herein shall prevent any representative of the
Consultant from taking vacation or travel.

     3. Term.

     The Consultant's  engagement shall commence effective as of the date hereof
and shall continue until January 31, 2001 (the "Termination Date").

     4. Compensation.

     As compensation for the  Consultant's  services  hereunder,  the Consultant
shall receive a fee at the rate of $225,000 per year  ("Compensation"),  payable
in equal quarterly installments,  with the first installment payable on February
1, 1999. 

     5. Expense Reimbursement.

     The  Corporation  will  reimburse the  Consultant  for any and all expenses
incident  to  the  Consultant's   rendering  of  services  hereunder  which  the
Corporation deems necessary or desirable,  upon presentation of expense vouchers
or other  documentation  in such detail as the Corporation may from time to time
reasonably  require.  It is acknowledged and agreed that the type of expenses to
be reimbursed  hereunder shall be similar to those incurred by Mr.  Cornstein in
his position as an officer of each of the Corporation and its affiliates.

     6. Non-Competition.

     (a) The  Consultant  recognizes  that the  services to be  performed  by it
hereunder  are  special,  unique and  extraordinary  and that,  by reason of its
engagement hereunder,  the Consultant will acquire confidential  information and
trade secrets  concerning the operation of the Corporation and Enterprises.  For
all purposes hereunder or in respect hereof,  the Consultant,  for and on behalf
of itself and its  representatives,  including without limitation Mr. Cornstein,
agrees  that  during  any  period  or  periods  in or in  respect  of which  the
Consultant  is receiving or has  received any  Compensation  provided for herein
(whether  or not the  Consultant  is engaged  by or  rendering  services  to the
Corporation during such period or periods), the Consultant will not, directly or
indirectly, as an officer, director, stockholder,  partner, associate, employee,
consultant,  owner,  agent,  creditor,  co-venturer  or otherwise,  become or be
interested  in or be  


                                      -2-
<PAGE>

associated  with  any  other  corporation,  firm  or  business  engaged,  in any
geographical  area in which the  Corporation  or  Enterprises  is engaged at the
Termination  Date in a  Competitive  Business  with that of the  Corporation  or
Enterprises on the  Termination  Date. A "Competitive  Business"  shall mean any
business  (i) which  operates  any type of business in the jewelry  field,  (ii)
which acts as a direct  vendor of or advisor  with  respect to diamonds or other
fine  jewelry  to any store  which is a member of a retail  group with which the
Corporation or Enterprises does business at the time the Consultant's engagement
hereunder  expires,  (iii) which is, or owns any entity  which is, a  department
store group in which the Corporation or Enterprises  operates  licensed  jewelry
departments  or (iv) which is in a  business  which is the same as or similar to
any business which the  Corporation or Enterprises is engaged in at the time the
Consultant's  engagement terminates.  The Consultant's (or any representative's)
ownership,  directly or indirectly, of not more than three percent of the issued
and outstanding stock of any corporation except Enterprises, the shares of which
are   regularly   traded  on  a   national   securities   exchange   or  in  the
over-the-counter  market,  shall not in any event be deemed to be a violation of
the  provisions of this Section 6. The ownership of securities by Consultant (or
any representative thereof) of Enterprises shall not be deemed to be a violation
of this  Section  6. For  purposes  of this  Section 6 and  Section  7, the term
"Corporation" and  "Enterprises"  shall also mean any affiliate (as such term is
defined in Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
any successor rule) of either entity.

     (b) The  Consultant,  for and on behalf of itself and its  representatives,
agrees,  during the period set forth in subsection (a) above, that it shall not,
on behalf of itself or any  business it is  interested  in or  associated  with,
employ or otherwise engage, or seek to employ or engage, any individual employed
by the  Corporation  or  Enterprises  at any time  during the  preceding  twelve
months,  or  solicit  any  business  in the  jewelry  field  from any person the
Corporation  or  Enterprises  was doing  business  with at any time  during  the
engagement  hereunder,  including  without  limitation any lessor from which the
Corporation or Enterprises leases or leased a department or departments.

     (c) The Corporation and Enterprises  shall be entitled,  in addition to any
other  right and  remedy it may have,  at law or in  equity,  to an  injunction,
without the posting of any bond or other security,  enjoining or restraining the
Consultant from any violation or threatened violation of this Section 6, and the
Consultant  hereby  consents  to the  issuance  of  such  injunction;  provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the Consultant from contesting the
issuance of any such  injunction  on the ground that no violation or  threatened
violation of this Section 6 has occurred.  If any of the restrictions  contained
herein shall be deemed to be unenforceable 


                                      -3-
<PAGE>

by reason of the extent,  duration or geographical scope thereof,  or otherwise,
then the court  making  such  determination  shall have the right to reduce such
extent,  duration,  geographical  scope, or other provisions  hereof, and in its
reduced  form this  Section 6 shall be  enforceable  in the manner  contemplated
hereby.

     (d)  The  Consultant   acknowledges  that  Enterprises  is  a  third  party
beneficiary of the obligations of Consultant under this Sections 6 and 7 herein.
Accordingly,  Enterprises will have the right to enforce against  Consultant and
its  representatives  its  obligations  under such Sections  despite not being a
signatory to this Agreement.

     7.  Confidentiality.  The  Consultant,  for and on behalf of itself and its
representatives, shall not divulge to anyone, either during or at any time after
the termination of its engagement,  any information  constituting a trade secret
or other confidential  information  acquired by it concerning the Corporation or
Enterprises,  except in the  performance  of its duties  hereunder,  without the
prior written consent of the Corporation or Enterprises,  as the case may be, or
if required by law. The Consultant  acknowledges that any such information is of
a  confidential  and secret  character and of great value to the  Corporation or
Enterprises,  and upon the  termination of its  engagement the Consultant  shall
forthwith  deliver up to the  Corporation  all  notebooks  and other data in its
possession  relating to either the Corporation or  Enterprises,  as the case may
be. The Corporation shall be entitled, in addition to any other right and remedy
it may have, at law or in equity,  to an injunction,  without the posting of any
bond or  other  security,  enjoining  or  restraining  the  Consultant  from any
violation or threatened  violation of this Section 7, and the Consultant  hereby
consents  to the  issuance  of such  injunction;  provided,  however,  that  the
foregoing  shall not prevent the Consultant  from contesting the issuance of any
such injunction on the ground that no violation or threatened  violation of this
Section 7 has occurred.

     8.  Severability.  If any provision of this  Agreement  shall be held to be
invalid or unenforceable,  such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only
to such  provision and shall not affect or render invalid or  unenforceable  any
other provision of this  Agreement,  and this Agreement shall be construed as if
such provision had been drawn so as not to be invalid or unenforceable.

     9. Entire Agreement,  Etc. This Agreement sets forth the parties' final and
entire agreement,  and supersedes any and all prior  understandings with respect
to its subject matter.  This Agreement shall bind and benefit the parties hereto
and their  respective  heirs,  successors  and assigns,  except as otherwise set
forth herein.  This Agreement is personal in nature and none of the Consultant's
obligations under this Agreement may 


                                      -4-

<PAGE>

be assigned or  delegated by the  Consultant.  The  Corporation  may assign this
Agreement to any affiliate  thereof.  This Agreement shall also be assignable by
the  Corporation or any of its affiliates to any other person in connection with
the sale,  transfer or other disposition of all or a substantial  portion of its
business and assets;  and this Agreement  shall inure to and be binding upon any
successor  to  all  or a  substantial  portion  of  the  business,  or to all or
substantially  all of  the  assets,  of  the  Corporation,  whether  by  merger,
consolidation,  purchase of stock or assets or otherwise.  This Agreement cannot
be  changed,  waived  or  terminated  except  by a  writing  signed  by both the
Consultant  and the  Corporation  and shall be  governed  by, and  construed  in
accordance  with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made
and performed entirely within such state.

     10.  Independent  Contractor.  The parties agree that the Corporation shall
have no right to  control or direct  the  details,  manner or means by which the
Consultant  accomplishes  the results of the services  performed  hereunder,  it
being  acknowledged that the Consultant shall for all purposes be an independent
contractor of the Corporation.

     11.  Counterparts.   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.

     12. Notices. Any notice or other communication  required to or which may be
given  to any  party  hereunder  shall be in  writing  and  shall  be  delivered
personally  to  such  party  (or  the  Secretary  thereof  in  the  case  of the
Corporation)  or if mailed,  by registered or certified mail,  postage  prepaid,
return receipt requested, addressed to such other party at the address first set
forth above and shall be deemed  delivered in all cases upon receipt.  Any party
may change the address to which notices are to be sent by giving  written notice
of any such change in the manner provided herein.

     13.  Captions.  The  descriptive  headings of the several  sections of this
Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this
Agreement.

     14.  No Right of  Set-Off.  The  obligation  to pay to the  Consultant  all
Compensation and any other amounts payable to the Consultant  hereunder shall be
an absolute  obligation of the Corporation and shall not be subject to any right
of set-off or similar right.

     15.  Arbitration.  Any  controversy  or claim arising out of or relating to
this  Agreement  or any breach or  asserted  breach  hereof or  questioning  the
validity and binding effect hereof shall be determined by arbitration  conducted
in the City of New York in accordance with the Commercial  Rules of the American


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

Arbitration Association then obtaining, and judgment upon any award rendered may
be  entered  in any court  having  jurisdiction  thereof.  The  decision  of the
arbitrators shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto.  The Corporation
shall pay all of the costs and expenses (including  reasonable  attorneys' fees)
incurred  by  the  Executive  in  connection  with  any  matters   submitted  to
arbitration pursuant to this Section 15 if the Consultant substantially prevails
in such arbitration.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have set their hands as of the date
first written above.

                           FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION


                                   By: /s/ Arthur E. Reiner
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                   Name:  Arthur E. Reiner
                                   Title: Chairman & Chief Executive Officer

                                   PINNACLE ADVISORS LIMITED


                                    By: /s/ David B. Cornstein
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Name:  David B. Cornstein
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

The undersigned agrees to and
accepts the foregoing Agreement:

FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.


By: /s/ Arthur E. Reiner                        
    --------------------------------------------
    Name:  Arthur E. Reiner
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
















                                      -6-



                                                              Exhibit 10.25(e)

                                 AMENDMENT No. 4


     AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT  No. 4 dated  as of  October  28,  1998  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.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS,  the Parent, the Company, the Lenders and the Agent are parties to
an Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated as of  September  11, 1997 (as
heretofore and hereafter amended,  modified or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with its terms, the "Credit Agreement") and;

     WHEREAS, in order to improve the operating  efficiency of the Company,  the
Company  desires to  restructure  ownership  of its  intellectual  property  and
certain of its merchandising and buying operations (the  "Restructuring  Plan");
and

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires  to  establish  a  Domestic  Subsidiary  in
Delaware,  Finlay Merchandising & Buying, Inc. ("Finlay Merchandising") in order
to transfer certain intellectual  property and certain  merchandising and buying
operations  owned by the Company to Finlay  Merchandising  in accordance  with a
Contribution  Agreement  dated as of October  28,  1998  between the Company and
Finlay Merchandising (the "Contribution Agreement"), which intellectual property
will  simultaneously  be  licensed by Finlay  Merchandising  back to the Company
pursuant to a Trade Name  License  Agreement  dated as of October 28, 1998 among
Finlay  Merchandising,  the Company  and the Parent  (the  "Trade  Name  License
Agreement") and which  merchandising  and buying operations will subsequently be
performed  for the  Company  by  Finlay  Merchandising  pursuant  to a  Services
Agreement  dated  as  of  October  28,  1998  between  the  Company  and  Finlay
Merchandising (the "Services Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS,  as of the date hereof,  the Company shall own 100% of the capital
stock of Finlay Merchandising, beneficially and of record; and


<PAGE>

     WHEREAS,  subject to the terms and conditions  contained herein the parties
hereto desire to amend certain provisions of the Credit 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. Consent to the Restructuring Plan. Provided that the assets set forth on
Schedule 9.5 remain subject to Liens of the Agent and the  Lenders'in  existence
in the date hereof, the Majority Lenders hereby consent to (a) the establishment
of Finlay  Merchandising  as a wholly owned  subsidiary of the Company;  (b) the
transactions  contemplated by the  Contribution  Agreement,  as in effect on the
date  hereof,  without any waivers or  modifications  materially  adverse to the
Lenders,  not  consented  to by  the  Majority  Lenders;  (c)  the  transactions
contemplated  by the  Trade  Name  License  Agreement,  as in effect on the date
hereof, without any waivers or modifications  materially adverse to the Lenders,
not consented to by the Majority Lenders;  (d) the transactions  contemplated by
the Services Agreement,  as in effect on the date hereof, without any waivers or
modifications materially adverse to the Lenders not consented to by the Majority
Lenders. In connection with the Contribution  Agreement,  the Trade Name License
Agreement and the Services Agreement, the Company agrees to execute, deliver and
file at the Company's expense all financing statements requested by the Agent to
be filed to perfect the Agent's and the  Lenders'  Liens on the assets set forth
on Schedule 9.5 hereto.

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

     (a)  Section  1.1 of the  Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended  to add the
following definition in its proper alphabetical sequence:



                                     2

<PAGE>

     "Finlay  Merchandising"  shall mean Finlay  Merchandising & Buying, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company."


     (b) The  following  Section 8.28 shall be added  immediately  following the
last full sentence of Section 8.27 of the Credit Agreement:

     "Section  8.28  Intercompany  Charges and Mandatory  Dividends  relating to
Finlay  Merchandising.  The  Company  shall cause all  payments  (net of amounts
(which may be paid in cash) equal to the reasonable,  ordinary course  operating
expenses of Finlay Merchandising including, without limitation, payroll expenses
for  employees  of Finlay  Merchandising)  to be made by the  Company  to Finlay
Merchandising in respect of amounts owed under the Trade Name License  Agreement
and the  Services  Agreement  to be made by  means of  appropriate  intercompany
charges. Finlay Merchandising shall within thirty days (30) following the end of
each fiscal quarter during which  payments to Finlay  Merchandising  are made by
the Company by means of  intercompany  charges,  declare and  distribute  to the
Company as a dividend  an amount  equal to the amount of such  payments  (net of
reasonable  operating  expenses for the then current and immediately  succeeding
calendar  month (which may be paid in cash) of Finlay  Merchandising  including,
without limitation, payroll expenses for employees of Finlay Merchandising).

     (c)  Section  9.4 of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended to delete the
"and"  immediately  following Section 9.4(r), to delete the period at the end of
Section 9.4(s) and to insert a semi-colon followed by the word "and" immediately
thereafter, and to add the following immediately thereafter:

     "(t)  Investments  by the Company in Finlay  Merchandising  as set forth on
Schedule 9.5 hereto."

     (d)  Section  9.5 of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended to delete the
"and"  immediately  following Section 9.5(f), to delete the period at the end of
Section 9.5(g) and to insert a semi-colon followed by the word "and" immediately
thereafter, and to add the following immediately thereafter:




                                       3
<PAGE>

     " 9.5(h)  the  sale,  transfer  and  assignment  by the  Company  to Finlay
Merchandising of the assets set forth on Schedule 9.5 hereto, provided, however,
that the Company shall not transfer, sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of
all or any part of its Accounts or Inventory to Finlay Merchandising."

     (e)  Section  9.6 of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended to delete the
"and" immediately following Section 9.6(a)(iii), to delete the period at the end
of Section  9.6(a)(iv)  and to insert a  semi-colon  followed  by the word "and"
immediately thereafter, and to add the following immediately thereafter:

     "(v) The Company may purchase  all, but not less than all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Finlay Merchandising."

     (f)  Section  9.17 of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be  amended  to add the
following immediately following the last sentence thereof:

     "Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Company may transfer,  sell, or assign
to Finlay  Merchandising the assets set forth on Schedule 9.5 hereto,  and enter
into the Trade Name License Agreement and enter into the Services Agreement with
Finlay Merchandising.

     (g)  Section  9.18 of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be  amended  to add the
following immediately following the last sentence thereof:

     "Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the Company may subscribe for and Finlay
Merchandising may sell to the Company, all, but not less than all, of the issued
and outstanding capital stock of Finlay Merchandising."

     4.  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 Amendment):

     (a) Each of the Parent and the  Company has taken all  necessary  action to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment.

     (b) This  Amendment  has been duly executed and delivered by the Parent and
the Company and the  


                                       4
<PAGE>

acknowledgement  attached  hereto has been duly  executed and  delivered by each
Subsidiary. This Amendment and the Credit Agreement as amended hereby constitute
the  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of the  Parent  and  the  Company,
enforceable  against them in accordance with their respective terms,  subject to
applicable  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency,  fraudulent  conveyance or
transfer,  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 this Amendment other than any such consent, approval,
license or  authorization  which has been obtained and remains 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  Amendment,  each of the  Company and the
Parent is in compliance  with all covenants and agreements  applicable to it set
forth in the Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents.

     (e) After  giving  effect to this  Amendment,  no event has occurred and is
continuing which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default.

     (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.

     5. Effective Date. The amendments to the Credit Agreement  contained herein
shall not become  effective (the "Effective  Date") until (i) this Amendment has
been duly  executed and  delivered  by the Company,  the Parent and the Majority
Lenders;  (ii) the acknowledgement  attached hereto shall have been executed and
delivered by each of the Subsidiaries; (iii) the certificate of incorporation of
Finlay Merchandising shall have been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State;
(iv) the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the Trade Name
License 


                                       5

<PAGE>

Agreement,  and the Services  Agreement shall have been entered into by no later
than  October 28,  1998 and a letter from the Company to that effect  shall have
been delivered to the Agent;  (v) Finlay  Merchandising  shall have executed and
delivered  Amendment  No. 1 to the  Security  Agreement  and related UCC filings
satisfactory to the Agent shall have been made; (vi) Finlay  Merchandising shall
have executed and delivered  Amendment No.1 to Security Agreement and Mortgage -
Trademark,  Patents and Copyrights and related UCC filings  satisfactory  to the
Agent shall have been made;  (vii) the Company shall have executed and delivered
Amendment No. 1 to the Pledge  Agreement  and the stock of Finlay  Merchandising
shall have been  delivered in pledge  thereunder and (viii) the Agent shall have
received the opinion of Tenzer  Greenblatt  LLP,  counsel to the Credit Parties,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A hereto.

     6. Gold Consignment  Agreement.  The Majority Lenders hereby consent to the
execution and delivery by the Company of Amendment No. 7 and Limited  Consent to
the Gold Consignment  Agreement,  such Amendment No. 7 and Limited Consent being
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

     7.  Employment  Agreement of Barry  Shuffeld.  The Majority  Lenders hereby
consent to the form, terms and provisions of that certain  Employment  Agreement
between the Company and Barry  Shuffeld  and the  ancillary  agreements  related
thereto in respects to Barry Shuffeld,  such Employment  Agreement and ancillary
agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

     8.  Expenses.  The Company  agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses,
including  reasonable  attorneys' fees, of the Agent incurred in connection with
this Amendment.

     9. 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 Amendment.  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
<PAGE>
     10. Counterparts.  This Amendment 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  Amendment  by  telecopier  shall be  effective  as  delivery of a manually
executed counterpart of this Amendment.



























                                       7
<PAGE>

     11.  Governing Law. This  Amendment  shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance  with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the
conflict of laws provisions thereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly
executed by their respective officers as of the date first written above.

                                         FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.


                                         By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
                                             Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer


                                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION


                                         By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
                                             Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer


                                         FINLAY MERCHANDISING & BUYING, INC.
                                           as Guarantor


                                         By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
                                             Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer


                                         GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, 
                                         Individually and as Agent


                                         By: /s/ James P. Hogan
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:  James P. Hogan
                                             Title: Duly Authorized Signatory





                                       8
<PAGE>


                                        FLEET PRECIOUS METALS INC.


                                        By: /s/ Richard Seufert
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Richard Seufert
                                            Title: Vice President


                                        By: /s/ Anthony J. Capuano
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Anthony J. Capuano
                                            Title: Senior Vice President


                                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK



                                        By: /s/ Michael W. Stevenson
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Michael W. Stevenson
                                            Title: Vice President

                                        GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.



                                        By: /s/ Authorized signatory 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:   
                                            Title: 

                                        ABN AMRO BANK N.V.



                                        By: /s/ Ned Koppelson  
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Ned Koppelson  
                                            Title: Vice President



                                        By: /s/ Francesca Pereira
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Francesca Pereira
                                            Title: Vice President




                                       9
<PAGE>


                                        BANK LEUMI



                                        By: /s/ David Selove
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  David Selove   
                                            Title: Vice President


                                        By: /s/ Kenneth Lipke 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Kenneth Lipke  
                                            Title: Vice President


                                        TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION


                                        By: /s/ Michael S. Burns
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Name:  Michael S. Burns
                                            Title: Senior Vice President












                                       10
<PAGE>


Each of the Guarantors, by signing below, confirms in favor of the Agent and the
Lenders that it consents to the terms and conditions of the foregoing  Amendment
No. 4 to the Amended and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  and agrees that it has no
defense,  offset,  claim,  counterclaim or recoupment with respect to any of its
obligations or liabilities  under its respective  Guaranty and that all terms of
such  Guaranty  shall  continue in full force and  effect,  subject to the terms
thereof.


FINLAY JEWELRY, INC.



By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner
    -------------------------------------
    Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
    Title: Senior Vice President and
           Chief Financial Officer

SONAB HOLDINGS, INC.



By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner
    -------------------------------------
    Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
    Title: Senior Vice President and
           Chief Financial Officer

SONAB INTERNATIONAL, INC.



By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner
    -------------------------------------
    Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
    Title: Senior Vice President and
           Chief Financial Officer

SOCIETE NOUVELLE D'ACHAT DE BIJOUTERIE - S.O.N.A.B.



By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner
    -------------------------------------
    Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
    Title: Attorney-in-fact




                                       11

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
               LENDERS, COMMITMENTS AND INITIAL EURODOLLAR OFFICES


                                             Revolving
Lender and Initial                           Commitment
Eurodollar Office                              Amount                     %
- -----------------                           ------------               -------

General Electric                            $91,666,667                33.333%
Capital
Corporation
201 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT  06927

Fleet Precious Metals Inc.                  $61,111,111                22.222%
111 Westminster Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P.         $20,000,000                 7.272%
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

The Chase Manhattan Bank                    $30,555,556                11.111%
111 West 40th Street, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10018

Bank Leumi USA                              $12,222,222                 4.444%
562 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036


ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.                         $30,555,556                11.111%
 (New York Branch)
500 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Transamerica Business Credit                $28,888,889                10.505%
  Corporation
555 Theodore Freund Avenue
Suite C-301
Rye, New York 10580


<PAGE>


                                              Revolving
                                              Sublimit
                                             Commitment1                  %
                                            ------------               -------  

General Electric                            $8,333,333                 33.333%
Capital
Corporation
201 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT  06927


Fleet Precious Metals Inc.                  $5,555,556                 22.222%
111 Westminster Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.          $1,818,182                  7.272%
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

The Chase Manhattan Bank                    $2,777,778                 11.111%
111 West 40th Street

Bank Leumi USA                              $1,111,111                  4.444%
562 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036


ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.                         $2,777,778                 11.111%
 (New York Branch)
500 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Transamerica Business Credit                $2,626,263                 10.505%
  Corporation
555 Theodore Freund Avenue
Suite C-301
Rye, New York 10580







________________________
1. As such amount may vary pursuant to the definition of Parent Revolving Credit
Facility Sublimit Commitment.





                                                              Exhibit 10.25(f)

                                 AMENDMENT No. 5


     AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT  No. 5 dated  as of  October  28,  1998  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.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS,  the Parent, the Company, the Lenders and the Agent are parties to
an Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated as of  September  11, 1997 (as
heretofore and hereafter amended,  modified or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with its terms, the "Credit Agreement") and;

     WHEREAS,  subject to the terms and conditions  contained herein the parties
hereto desire to amend certain provisions of the Credit 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. The Credit Agreement shall be amended as
follows upon the Effective Date (as defined herein):

    (a) Section  1.1 of the  Credit  Agreement  is hereby  amended to delete the
definitions  of  "Borrowing  Base",  "Tranche 1 Advance" and "Tranche 2 Advance"
respectively  contained  therein and to add the  following  definitions  in lieu
thereof:

     "Borrowing Base" shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) an amount equal to
sixty  percent  (60%) of the  aggregate  value  (lower  of cost  (on a  specific
identification  or  first-in-first-out   basis  consistent  with  the  Company's
practices) and current  market value) of Eligible  Inventory plus (ii) an amount
equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of 

<PAGE>


the Net Amount of Eligible  Receivables;  in each case as  indicated on the most
recent weekly Borrowing Base  Certificate  delivered to the Agent by the Company
as of such  time,  unless a more  recent  Borrowing  Base  Certificate  has been
requested by the Agent and delivered by the Company to the Agent,  in which case
as indicated on such more recent Borrowing Base Certificate. Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  for the purposes of making any Tranche 1 Advance,  the  reference to
sixty  percent  contained in clause (i) hereof shall be replaced  with an amount
from sixty and one one-hundredth percent (60.01%) up to and including sixty-five
percent  (65.00%),  and for the  purposes of making any  Tranche 2 Advance,  the
reference to sixty percent contained in clause (i) hereof shall be replaced with
an amount  from  sixty-five  and one  one-hundredth  percent  (65.01%) up to and
including  seventy  percent  (70.00%).  In no event shall any Borrowing  Base be
attributable to Foreign Inventory and Foreign Receivables.

     The Agent reserves the right to adjust the Borrowing Base in its reasonable
judgment by revising  standards of eligibility,  establishing  reserves,  and/or
subject to the following sentence increasing or decreasing from time to time the
percentages set forth above, in which case "Borrowing  Base" shall be defined to
include such revisions,  reserves or altered  percentages.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing,  any increase in the  percentages  set forth above shall  require the
consent of the Majority Lenders.

     "Tranche 1 Advance" shall mean any Acquisition  Facility Advance made based
upon a Borrowing  Base  comprised of 60.01% to 65.00% of Eligible  Inventory and
85% of Eligible Receivables as provided herein.

     "Tranche 2 Advance" shall mean any Acquisition  Facility Advance made based
upon a Borrowing  Base  comprised of 65.01% to 70.00% of Eligible  Inventory and
85% of Eligible Receivables and as provided herein.

    (b)  Section  8.17(d)  of the  Credit  Agreement  is hereby  deleted  in its
entirety, effective as of the date hereof.

    (c) Section  8.1(i) of the Credit  Agreement is hereby amended to delete the
reference to "February 15" contained therein and to substitute "March 1" in lieu
thereof.


                                       2
<PAGE>

    (d) Section 8.1(p) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

     "(p) (x) On the Closing Date,  (y) not  later than Monday,  12:00 noon (New
York time) of each week,  and  (z) within  three (3) days  following the written
request of the Agent, a certificate dated Friday of the previous week just ended
(or with  respect  to a  request  made  under  clause (z)  above,  an  estimated
certificate  dated  the  date of  delivery)  from  the  Company,  in  each  case
substantially in the form of Exhibit 8.1(p)  hereto, each such certificate to be
signed by the  Designated  Officer  of the  Company  (each such  certificate,  a
"Borrowing Base  Certificate").  The delivery of the Borrowing Base  Certificate
pursuant  to  clause  (y) of this  Section 8.1(p)  shall be  accompanied  by the
following,  each of which shall be in form, scope and substance  satisfactory to
the Agent, (i) a copy of the receivables aging trial balances of the Company and
each of its  Subsidiaries  as of the end of the prior  month,  together  with an
accounts  receivable  reconciliation to the Borrowing Base Certificate date, and
(ii) a  schedule  of  Eligible  Inventory,  valued  at the  lesser of cost (on a
specific  identification  basis) or current  market value and setting  forth the
locations of all such Eligible  Inventory (which may be done by reference to the
computer  information  to which  the  Agent has  on-line  access  to the  extent
required by Section 8.7(b)  hereof),  including,  without  limitation,  Domestic
Inventory in transit and Domestic Inventory not in the possession of the Company
and the name of the Person in possession  thereof. In addition to the foregoing,
each  Borrowing Base  Certificate  shall set forth (or shall be accompanied by a
certificate of a Designated  Officer of the Company setting forth) the aggregate
unpaid  principal  balance of all loans or advances from the Company to Sonab at
such time."

    (e) Exhibit A to the Credit  Agreement is hereby  amended in its entirety to
read as set forth on Exhibit A hereto.

     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 Amendment):

     (a) Each of the Parent and the  Company has taken all  necessary  action to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment.


                                       3
<PAGE>

     (b) This  Amendment  has been duly executed and delivered by the Parent and
the Company and the  acknowledgement  attached hereto has been duly executed and
delivered by each Subsidiary. This Amendment and the Credit Agreement as amended
hereby constitute the legal,  valid and binding obligation of the Parent and the
Company,  enforceable  against them 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 this Amendment other than any such consent, approval,
license or  authorization  which has been obtained and remains 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  Amendment,  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) After  giving  effect to this  Amendment,  no event has occurred and is
continuing which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default.

     (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. Effective Date. The amendments to the Credit Agreement  contained herein
shall not become  effective (the "Effective  Date") until (i) this Amendment has
been duly  executed and  delivered  by the Company,  the Parent and the Majority
Lenders and (ii) the  acknowledgement  attached  hereto shall have been executed
and delivered by each of the Subsidiaries.



                                       4

<PAGE>

     5.  Expenses.  The Company  agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses,
including  reasonable  attorneys' fees, of the Agent incurred in connection with
this Amendment.

     6. 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 Amendment.  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.

     7.  Counterparts.  This Amendment 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  Amendment  by  telecopier  shall be  effective  as  delivery of a manually
executed counterpart of this Amendment.

     8.  Governing  Law. This  Amendment  shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance  with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the
conflict of laws provisions thereof.











                                       5

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly
executed by their respective officers as of the date first written above.


                                          FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.



                                          By:  /s/ Bruce Zurlnick
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
                                               Title: Treasurer


                                          FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION



                                          By:  /s/ Bruce Zurlnick
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
                                               Title: Vice President & Treasurer


                                          GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                                          Individually and as Agent



                                          By:  /s/ James P. Hogan
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  James P. Hogan
                                               Title: Vice President 

                                          FLEET PRECIOUS METALS INC.


                                          By:  /s/ Richard Seufert
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  Richard Seufert
                                               Title: Vice President

                                          By:  /s/ Anthony J. Capuano
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  Anthony J. Capuano
                                               Title: Senior Vice President


                                          THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

                                          By:  /s/ Michael W. Stevenson
                                               ---------------------------------
                                               Name:  Michael W. Stevenson
                                               Title: Vice President



                                       6
<PAGE>

                                           GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.



                                           By:  /s/ Authorized signatory
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                           ABN AMRO BANK N.V.



                                           By:  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                           By:  
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                           BANK LEUMI



                                           By:  /s/ Kenneth Lipke
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:  Kenneth Lipke
                                                Title: Vice President


                                           By:  /s/ Authorized signatory
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Name:
                                                Title: Assistant Vice President


                                           TRANSAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT
                                              CORPORATION



                                           By:  ________________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:



                                       7
<PAGE>

Each of the Guarantors, by signing below, confirms in favor of the Agent and the
Lenders that it consents to the terms and conditions of the foregoing  Amendment
No. 5 to the Amended and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  and agrees that it has no
defense,  offset,  claim,  counterclaim or recoupment with respect to any of its
obligations or liabilities  under its respective  Guaranty and that all terms of
such  Guaranty  shall  continue in full force and  effect,  subject to the terms
thereof.


FINLAY JEWELRY, INC.



By: /s/ Bruce Zurlnick
    ---------------------------------
    Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
    Title: Treasurer


SONAB HOLDINGS, INC.



By: /s/ Bruce Zurlnick
    ---------------------------------
    Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
    Title: Treasurer


SONAB INTERNATIONAL, INC.



By: /s/ Bruce Zurlnick
    ---------------------------------
    Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
    Title: Treasurer


SOCIETE NOUVELLE D'ACHAT DE BIJOUTERIE - S.O.N.A.B.



By: /s/ Bruce Zurlnick
    ---------------------------------
    Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
    Title: Attorney-in-fact


FINLAY MERCHANDISING & BUYING, INC.




By: /s/ Bruce Zurlnick
    ----------------------------------
    Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
    Title: Vice President & Treasurer



                                       8
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A
               LENDERS, COMMITMENTS AND INITIAL EURODOLLAR OFFICES


                                             Revolving
Lender and Initial                           Commitment
Eurodollar Office                              Amount                     %
- -----------------                           ------------               -------

General Electric                            $91,666,667                33.333%
Capital
Corporation
201 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT  06927

Fleet Precious Metals Inc.                  $61,111,111                22.222%
111 Westminster Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P.         $20,000,000                 7.272%
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

The Chase Manhattan Bank                    $30,555,556                11.111%
111 West 40th Street, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10018

Bank Leumi USA                              $12,222,222                 4.444%
562 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036


ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.                         $30,555,556                11.111%
 (New York Branch)  
500 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Transamerica Business Credit               $28,888,889                 10.505%
  Corporation
555 Theodore Freund Avenue
Suite C-301
Rye, New York 10580

<PAGE>


                                             Revolving
                                              Sublimit
                                            Commitment1                   %
                                           ------------                ------   
                                             
General Electric                           $8,333,333                  33.333%
Capital
Corporation
201 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT  06927


Fleet Precious Metals Inc.                 $5,555,556                  22.222%
111 Westminster Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Goldman Sachs Credit Partners L.P.         $1,818,182                   7.272%
85 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004

The Chase Manhattan Bank                   $2,777,778                  11.111%
111 West 40th Street

Bank Leumi USA                             $1,111,111                   4.444%
562 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036


ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.                        $2,777,778                  11.111%
 (New York Branch)
500 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Transamerica Business Credit               $2,626,263                  10.505%
  Corporation
555 Theodore Freund Avenue
Suite C-301
Rye, New York 10580





_____________________
1. As such amount may vary pursuant to the definition of Parent Revolving Credit
Facility Sublimit Commitment.





                                                              Exhibit 10.28(g)


                                 AMENDMENT NO. 7
                               AND LIMITED CONSENT


     THIS AMENDMENT NO. 7 AND LIMITED  CONSENT (this  "Amendment") is made as of
October 28, 1998,  by and between  FINLAY FINE JEWELRY  CORPORATION,  a Delaware
corporation  with its principal  office at 521 Fifth Avenue,  New York, New York
10175 (the "Consignee") and BANKBOSTON,  N.A., as successor in interest to Rhode
Island  Hospital Trust National Bank, a national  banking  association  with its
principal  office at 100  Federal  Street,  Boston,  MA 02110 (the  "Consignor")
amending certain  provisions of the Gold Consignment  Agreement dated as of June
15, 1995 (as amended,  modified or supplemented and in effect,  the "Consignment
Agreement"),  by and between the Consignee and the Consignor, and certain of the
other  Consignment   Documents  (as  defined  in  the  Consignment   Agreement).
Capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Consignment Agreement and
not defined herein shall have the same meaning herein as therein.

     WHEREAS,  the Consignee has requested that the Consignor agree to amend the
terms  of  the  Consignment  Agreement  and  certain  of the  other  Consignment
Documents in certain respects as hereinafter more fully set forth;

     WHEREAS,  the  Consignor  is willing to amend the terms of the  Consignment
Agreement and such other  Consignment  Documents in such respects upon the terms
and subject to the conditions contained herein;

     NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual agreements contained in the
Consignment  Agreement,  herein and other good and valuable  consideration,  the
receipt and  sufficiency  of which are hereby  acknowledged,  the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:

     S1.  Amendment  of  S1 of  the  Consignment  Agreement.  Section  1 of  the
Consignment Agreement is hereby amended by:

     (a)  inserting, in the places required by alphabetical order, the following
          new definitions:

     "Finlay  Merchandising.  Finlay  Merchandising and Buying, Inc., a Delaware
corporation."

     "Finlay Merchandising  Contribution  Agreement.  The Contribution Agreement
dated as of October 28,  1998 between Finlay Merchandising and the Consignee, as
in effect on the 

<PAGE>

Seventh Amendment Effective Date."

     "Finlay Merchandising  License Agreement.  The Trade Name License Agreement
dated as of October 28,  1998 between Finlay Merchandising and the Consignee, as
in effect on the Seventh Amendment Effective Date."

     "Finlay Merchandising  Services Agreement.  The Services Agreement dated as
of October 28, 1998 between Finlay Merchandising and the Consignee, as in effect
on the Seventh Amendment Effective Date."

     "Intercompany   Subordination  Agreement.  The  Intercompany  Subordination
Agreement  dated as of October 28,  1998 among the Consignor,  the Consignee and
Finlay Merchandising."

     "Seventh  Amendment  Effective  Date.  The  "Effective  Date" as defined in
Amendment  No. 7 and Limited  Consent dated as of  October 28,  1998 between the
Consignor and the Consignee."

          (b)  deleting  the  definition  of  "Consignment   Documents"  in  its
               entirety  and  substituting  in lieu  thereof the  following  new
               definition:

     "Consignment  Documents.   This  Agreement,  the  Security  Documents,  the
Intercreditor  Agreement and the Intercompany  Subordination  Agreement, in each
case as from time to time amended, restated, modified or supplemented."

     S2.  Amendment  of S8.1 of the  Consignment  Agreement.  Section 8.1 of the
Consignment Agreement is hereby amended by:

          (a)  deleting the word "and" at the end of subsection (i) thereof;
 
          (b)  deleting  the period (".") at the end of  subsection  (j) thereof
               and substituting the text "; and"; and
 
          (c)  inserting,   immediately   after   subsection   (j)  thereof  and
               immediately before S8.2, the following new subsection (k):
 
          "(k) cause (i) all payments (net of amounts (which amounts may be paid
               in  cash)  equal to the  reasonable,  ordinary  course  operating
               expenses  of  Finlay  Merchandising  for  the  then  current  and
               immediately   succeeding   fiscal  months,   including,   without
               limitation,    payroll   expenses   for   employees   of   Finlay
               Merchandising),  from the  Consignee to Finlay  Merchandising  in
               respect of amounts  owed under the Finlay  Merchandising  License
           

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

               Agreement and the Finlay  Merchandising  Services Agreement to be
               made by means of  appropriate  intercompany  book  entries,  (ii)
               Finlay  Merchandising  to declare and distribute to the Consignee
               as a dividend,  within thirty (30) days following the end of each
               fiscal quarter  during which payments  described in clause (i) of
               this  subsection  (k) are made,  an amount equal to the amount of
               such payments (net of amounts (which amounts may be paid in cash)
               equal to the reasonable,  ordinary course  operating  expenses of
               Finlay   Merchandising  for  the  then  current  and  immediately
               succeeding fiscal months, including, without limitation,  payroll
               expenses for  employees of Finlay  Merchandising),  and (iii) all
               obligations of the Consignee to Finlay Merchandising under and in
               respect of the Finlay Merchandising  License Agreement and/or the
               Finlay  Merchandising   Services  Agreement  to  be  subordinated
               (subject to the Intercreditor  Agreement) to the Obligations upon
               terms and conditions, and pursuant to documentation, in each case
               satisfactory to the Consignor."

     S3.  Amendment  of  S8.2(c)(vi)  of  the  Consignment  Agreement.   Section
8.2(c)(vi) of the Consignment  Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety,  and
the following new S8.2(c)(vi) is hereby substituted in lieu thereof:

     (vi)(A) in the capital stock of Subsidiaries  existing on the Closing Date,
     Finlay Merchandising or any other Subsidiary created with the prior written
     consent  of the  Consignor  and (B) in the  case of  Finlay  Merchandising,
     consisting  of those items set forth and  described on Schedule I to of the
     Contribution Agreement;  provided,  however, that for each of the foregoing
     clauses  (A)  and  (B),  the  Consignee   shall  not  make  any  additional
     investments therein other than additional  investments  approved in advance
     in writing by the  Consignor and other than  increases in such  investments
     arising solely by reason of increases in the retained  earnings of any such
     Subsidiary;".

     S4.  Amendment of S8.2(d) of the Consignment  Agreement.  Section 8.2(d) of
the Consignment Agreement is hereby amended by:

     (a)  deleting the word "and" at the end of clause (F) thereof;
 
     (b)  deleting the period at the end of clause (G) thereof and  substituting
          in lieu thereof the text "; and"; and
 
     (c)  inserting  the  following   new  clause  (H)   immediately   following
          subsection (G) and immediately before S8.2(e):
 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

     "(H) The  Consignee may purchase all, but not less than all, of the capital
          stock of Finlay  Merchandising in connection with the creation thereof
          by the Consignee."

     S5.  Amendment  of  S8.2(e)(ii)  of  the  Consignment  Agreement.   Section
8.2(e)(ii)  of  the  Consignment  Agreement  is  hereby  amended  by  inserting,
immediately  after the text "property being sold or transferred" and immediately
before  the  text ";  or",  the  following  text:  ";  provided,  however,  that
notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Consignee may transfer,  sell or assign its
trade  name  "Finlay  Fine  Jewelry  Corporation,"  as  well as  certain  of its
marketing  operations,  to Finlay Merchandising and such of its assets to Finlay
Merchandising as are set forth on Schedule I to the Contribution Agreement,  and
may lease such  trade  name from  Finlay  Merchandising  pursuant  to the Finlay
Merchandising  License Agreement and may enter into the Services  Agreement with
Finlay Merchandising; or".

     S6.  Amendment  of  S8.2(e)(iii)  of  the  Consignment  Agreement.  Section
8.2(e)(iii) of the Consignment Agreement is hereby amended by:

     (a)  inserting a comma (",") and a new clause "(G)", immediately before the
          word "or" and existing clause (G), with the following text:
 
          ",   (G) in connection  with the transfer of the  Consignee's  "buying
               and merchandising  functions" to Finlay Merchandising pursuant to
               the Contribution Agreement, transfer from the Consignee to Finlay
               Merchandising  of the assets  described  in on  Schedule I to the
               Contribution Agreement,"; and
 
     (b)  changing the lettering of existing clause "(G)" to clause "(H)".

     S7.  Amendment  of S13  of the  Consignment  Agreement.  Section  13 of the
Consignment  Agreement is hereby  amended by deleting  the last three  sentences
thereof and substituting in lieu thereof the following text:

     "THIS  AGREEMENT  IS A  CONTRACT  UNDER  THE  LAWS OF THE  COMMONWEALTH  OF
MASSACHUSETTS  AND SHALL BE  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE  THEREWITH  AND  GOVERNED
THEREBY.  THE CONSIGNEE  AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE  ENFORCEMENT OF ANY OF THE
CONSIGNMENT  DOCUMENTS  MAY BE  BROUGHT  IN THE  COURTS OF THE  COMMONWEALTH  OF
MASSACHUSETTS  OR ANY  FEDERAL  COURT  SITTING  THEREIN.  THE  CONSIGNEE,  AS AN
INDUCEMENT  TO THE  CONSIGNOR TO ENTER INTO THIS  AGREEMENT,  HEREBY  WAIVES ITS
RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT 


                                      -4-

<PAGE>

TO ANY ACTION ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CONSIGNMENT DOCUMENTS."

     S8. Amendment to Schedule XI to the Consignment  Agreement.  Schedule XI to
the  Consignment  Agreement is hereby amended by adding thereto the  information
contained  on  Schedule XI-A   hereto  with  respect  to  the  transfer  of  the
Consignee's "buying and merchandising functions" to Finlay Merchandising.

     S9. Amendment to S19 of the Security Agreement.  Section 19 of the Security
Agreement  is hereby  amended by deleting  the first two  sentences  thereof and
substituting, in lieu thereof the following text:

     "THIS AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO TAKE EFFECT AS A SEALED INSTRUMENT AND SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAWS OF THE  COMMONWEALTH
OF  MASSACHUSETTS.  The Company agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this
Agreement may be brought in the courts of the  Commonwealth of  Massachusetts or
any federal court sitting therein and consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction
of such  court and to  service  of  process in any such suit being made upon the
Company by registered or certified mail at the Company's Principal Office."

     S10. Amendment of Cash Collateral Agreement.  The Cash Collateral Agreement
is hereby amended by deleting the penultimate paragraph thereof (i.e., the final
paragraph on page 2 thereof) and  substituting in lieu thereof the following new
paragraph:

     "This  agreement  may be  executed in several  counterparts,  each of which
shall be an  original  and all of which shall  constitute  one  agreement.  This
agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
shall be construed as a sealed instrument under law."

     S11.  Limited  Consent.  Subject  to the  satisfaction  of  the  conditions
precedent  set  forth  in S13  hereof,  the  Consignor  hereby  consents  to the
execution  and delivery by the  Consignee of Amendment  No. 4 to the Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 1998, among the Consignee, the
Parent,  the Dollar Agent and the lenders party  thereto,  such  Amendment No. 4
being in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     S12.  Representations and Warranties.  The  Consignee hereby represents and
warrants to the Consignor as follows:

     (a)  Representations   and   Warranties  in  Consignment   


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

          Agreement.  The representations   and   warranties  of  the  Consignee
          contained in the  Consignment  Agreement  were true and correct in all
          material respects when made and continue to be true and correct in all
          material respects on the date hereof,  except to the extent of changes
          resulting  from   transactions   contemplated   or  permitted  by  the
          Consignment  Documents and this Amendment and changes occurring in the
          ordinary course of business that do not result in a Materially Adverse
          Effect,  and to the extent that such  representations  and  warranties
          relate expressly to an earlier date.

     (b)  Authority, No Conflicts, Etc. The execution,  delivery and performance
          by the  Consignee  of  this  Amendment  and  the  consummation  of the
          transactions  contemplated  hereby (i)  are within the corporate power
          of the  Consignee  and have  been  duly  authorized  by all  necessary
          corporate  action on the part of the  Consignee,  (ii)  do not require
          any approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or
          authority, or any other person,  association or entity (except for the
          consent of the Dollar  Agent and each of the lenders  under the Dollar
          Facility,  which consent is being  obtained  concurrently  herewith as
          required  by Section 13 hereof),  which bears on the  validity of this
          Amendment or the Consignment Documents and which is required by law or
          the  regulation or rule of any agency or  authority,  or other person,
          association  or entity,  (iii)  do  not violate any  provisions of any
          law, rule or regulation or any provision of any order, writ, judgment,
          injunction,  decree,  determination  or award  presently  in effect in
          which the Consignee is named in a manner which has or could reasonably
          be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect,  (iv)  do not violate
          any provision of the Charter  Documents of the Consignee,  (v)  do not
          result in any breach of or constitute a default under any agreement or
          instrument  to which the Consignee is a party or by which it or any of
          its properties is bound,  including without  limitation any indenture,
          loan or credit  agreement,  lease,  debt instrument or mortgage,  in a
          manner which has or could  reasonably be expected to have a Materially
          Adverse Effect,  and (vi)  do not result in or require the creation or
          imposition  of any mortgage,  deed of trust,  pledge,  lien,  security
          interest or other charge or  encumbrance of any nature upon any of the
          assets or properties of the Consignee except in favor of the Consignor
          pursuant to the Security Documents.

     (c)  Enforceability  of Obligations.  This Amendment has been duly executed
          and delivered by the Consignee and  constitutes  the legal,  valid and
          binding obligation of the Consignee, enforceable against the Consignee
          in accordance with its terms,  provided that  (a)  enforcement  may be
          limited

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

          by  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,   fraudulent
          conveyance  or  transfer,   moratorium  or  similar  laws  of  general
          application  affecting the rights and remedies of  creditors,  and (b)
          enforcement  may be subject to general  principles of equity,  and the
          availability  of the remedies of specific  performance  and injunctive
          relief may be subject to the  discretion of the court before which any
          proceedings for such remedies may be brought.
 
     S13. Conditions to Effectiveness.  This  Amendment shall be effective as of
October 28, 1998 (the "Effective Date") upon the Consignor's  receipt of each of
following conditions precedent,  in each case in form and substance satisfactory
to the Consignor:

     (a)  this  Amendment  duly  executed  by  each  of the  Consignee  and  the
          Consignor;
 
     (b)  evidence of the  Consignee's  receipt of all necessary or  appropriate
          third party  consents or  approvals to the  transactions  contemplated
          hereby, including, without limitation,  consents or approvals from the
          Dollar Agent and each of the lenders under the Dollar Facility;
 
     (c)  evidence of the filing  with the  Delaware  Secretary  of State of the
          certificate of incorporation of Finlay Merchandising;
 
     (d)  fully  executed  copies  of  the  Finlay  Merchandising   Contribution
          Agreement,  the Finlay Merchandising  License Agreement and the Finlay
          Merchandising  Services Agreement (as each such term is defined in the
          Consignment  Agreement,  as amended hereby), each duly certified by an
          officer of the  Consignee  as being true and correct and in full force
          and effect; and
 
     (e)  a  certificate  of an officer  of the  Consignee  certifying  that the
          transactions  contemplated  by the Finlay  Merchandising  Contribution
          Agreement,  the Finlay Merchandising  License Agreement and the Finlay
          Merchandising Services Agreement have been consummated.

     S14.  Ratifications,  etc.  Except as expressly provided in this Amendment,
all of the terms  and  conditions  of the  Consignment  Agreement  and the other
Consignment  Documents shall remain in full force and effect.  All references in
the  Consignment  Agreement  or  any  related  agreement  or  instrument  to the
Consignment  Agreement shall  hereafter  refer to the  Consignment  Agreement as
amended  hereby.  The Consignee  confirms 


                                       -7-

<PAGE>

and agrees that the  Obligations  of the  Consignee to the  Consignor  under the
Consignment  Documents,  as amended and supplemented  hereby, are secured by and
are entitled to the benefits of the Security Documents.

     S15. Expenses.  Without limiting the expense reimbursement requirements set
forth in S11 of the Consignment Agreement, the Consignee agrees to pay on demand
all costs and expenses,  including reasonable  attorneys' fees, of the Consignor
incurred in connection with this Amendment.

     S16.  No Implied  Waiver.  Except as  expressly  provided  herein,  nothing
contained  herein shall  constitute a waiver of, impair or otherwise  affect any
Obligations,  any  other  obligations  of  the  Consignee  or any  right  of the
Consignor consequent thereon.

     S17.  Governing  Law.  This  Amendment  is  intended  to take  effect as an
instrument  under seal and shall be  construed  according to and governed by the
internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     S18.  Execution  in  Counterparts.  This  Amendment  may be executed in any
number of  counterparts  and by each  party on a separate  counterpart,  each of
which when so executed  and  delivered  shall be an  original,  but all of which
together shall  constitute one instrument.  In proving this Amendment,  it shall
not be necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed
by the party against whom enforcement is sought.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date
first above written.


                                           FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION

                                           By: /s/ Barry D. Scheckner      
                                               ---------------------------------
                                           Name:  Barry D. Scheckner
                                           Title: Senior Vice President and   
                                                   Chief Financial Officer
 
                                           BANKBOSTON,  N.A.,  as  successor  in
                                           interest  to RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL 
                                           TRUST NATIONAL BANK
 
 
                                           By: /s/ Albert L. Brown          
                                               ---------------------------------
                                           Name:  Albert L. Brown
                                           Title: Director


                                      -8-




                                                             Exhibit 21.1

                    Subsidiaries of Finlay Enterprises, Inc.


     Set forth below is a list of certain  subsidiaries of the  Registrant.  All
the voting securities of each named subsidiary are owned by the Registrant or by
another subsidiary of the Registrant.


                                                            Jurisdiction
                                                            ------------
Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation                               Delaware
Finlay Jewelry, Inc.                                          Delaware
Finlay Merchandising & Buying, Inc.                           Delaware
Sonab Holdings, Inc.                                          Delaware
Sonab International, Inc.                                     Delaware
Societe Nouvelle D'Achat de Bijouterie - S.O.N.A.B.           France
 



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report  dated  March 24,  1999  included  in this  Form 10-K into the  Company's
previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 33-99176 and 333-40967
and Registration  Statement on Form S-3 File No.  333-48567.  It should be noted
that we have not audited any financial  statements of the Company  subsequent to
January 30, 1999 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our
report.



                                                     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

New York, New York
April 27, 1999








<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
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<PERIOD-END>                                   JAN-30-1999
<CASH>                                         17,328
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  19,147
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    295,265
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               357,459
<PP&E>                                         106,735
<DEPRECIATION>                                 36,620
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 543,992
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          210,122
<BONDS>                                        225,000
                          0
                                    0
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<OTHER-SE>                                     99,707
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   543,992
<SALES>                                        863,428
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               863,428
<CGS>                                          421,450
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               380,324
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                                28,500
<INCOME-TAX>                                   11,986
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            16,514
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
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<CHANGES>                                      0
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<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  0.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.88
        

</TABLE>


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