FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORP
8-K, 1998-05-11
JEWELRY STORES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549




                            ----------------------
                                                                       


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


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




        Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): April 24, 1998
                                                          --------------


                            Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation 
          -------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



          Delaware                     33-59380             13-3287757 
  ----------------------------   ------------------     -------------------  
  (State or other jurisdiction       (Commission         (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation)               File Number)       Identification No.)



       529 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York                        10017
    ------------------------------------------                  -----------
    (Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 808-2800
                                                           -------------- 
  
                   521 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10175
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
           Former name or former address, if changed since last report




_____________________________
* The  Registrant  is not  subject to the filing  requirements  of Section 13 or
15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 and is  voluntarily  filing this
Current Report on Form 8-K.


<PAGE>
                                                   
Item 5.  Other Events.

     On April 24, 1998, Finlay Fine Jewelry  Corporation (the  "Registrant"),  a
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Finlay  Enterprises,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation
("Finlay  Enterprises"),  sold $150.0 million aggregate  principal amount of its
8-3/8% Senior Notes due May 1, 2008 (the "Senior Notes").  Concurrently with the
closing  of the  sale  of the  Senior  Notes,  Finlay  Enterprises  and  certain
stockholders of Finlay Enterprises ("Selling Stockholders") sold an aggregate of
1,800,000 shares of Common Stock of Finlay  Enterprises (of which 567,310 shares
were sold by Finlay  Enterprises  (the "Equity  Offering") and 1,232,690  shares
were sold by the  Selling  Stockholders),  (ii)  Finlay  Enterprises  sold $75.0
million  aggregate  principal amount of its 9% Senior Debentures due May 1, 2008
(the "Senior  Debentures")  and (iii) the Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement
dated as of September  11, 1997,  as amended,  among  General  Electric  Capital
Corporation,  individually  and as agent,  certain  other  lenders and financial
institutions parties thereto, the Registrant and Finlay Enterprises, was amended
to increase the line of credit  thereunder from $225.0 million to $275.0 million
and to make certain  other  changes  (the "GECC  Amendment").  In addition,  the
Registrant entered into an amendment to the Gold Consignment  Agreement dated as
of June 15, 1995, as amended,  between the Registrant and Rhode Island  Hospital
Trust  National Bank (the "Gold  Consignment  Agreement")  to (i) renew the Gold
Consignment  Agreement  through  December 31, 2001, (ii) allow the Registrant to
obtain up to the  lesser of (x)  85,000  fine troy  ounces or (y) $32.0  million
worth of gold and (iii) make certain other modifications (the "RIHT Amendment").
Pursuant to the terms of the RIHT Amendment,  effectiveness  of certain portions
thereof is conditioned upon completion of the redemptions described below.

     The net proceeds to the  Registrant  from the sale of the Senior Notes will
be used to redeem the Registrant's  existing 10- 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 (the
"10-5/8% Notes"),  including  associated  premiums,  and to make an intercompany
repayment of $0.9 million (as of January 31, 1998) to Finlay Enterprises. Finlay
Enterprises will use the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Debentures and
the Equity  Offering,  together  with the proceeds  from the repayment of a note
receivable  (including  accrued interest thereon) of $1.3 million (as of January
31, 1998) from an executive  officer and the  repayment of the above-  mentioned
intercompany liability by Finlay Jewelry, to redeem Finlay Enterprises' existing
12% Senior Discount Debentures due 2005, including associated premiums (the "12%
Debentures"). A formal notice of redemption specifying a May 26, 1998 redemption
date has been given by the Registrant and Finlay Enterprises with respect to the
10-5/8% Notes and 12% Debentures, respectively.

     The  descriptions of the terms of the Senior Notes,  the GECC Amendment and
the RIHT Amendment are qualified in their entirety by reference to Exhibits 4.1,
10.1 and 10.2, respectively, attached hereto.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

               (a)   Not Applicable.

               (b)   Not Applicable.

               (c)   Exhibits

                     1.1     Underwriting Agreement - Senior Notes.

                     4.1     Indenture between Finlay Fine Jewelry
                             Corporation and Marine Midland Bank, as
                             Trustee, dated as of April 24, 1998.

                     10.1    Amendment No. 3 dated as of April 24, 1998 to
                             Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated
                             as of September 11, 1997, as amended, by and
                             among General Electric Capital Corporation,
                             individually and as agent, certain other
                             lenders and financial institutions parties
                             thereto, Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation and
                             Finlay Enterprises, Inc.

                     10.2    Amendment No. 6 dated as of April 24, 1998 to
                             Gold Consignment Agreement dated as of June
                             15, 1995, as amended, between Finlay Fine
                             Jewelry Corporation and Rhode Island Hospital
                             Trust National Bank.





                                      -3-

<PAGE>
                                              

                                                     SIGNATURE


     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended,  the  Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                            FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION



Dated:  May 6, 1998                         By:                              
                                               Name:  Bruce Zurlnick
                                               Title: Treasurer










                                                      -4-



<PAGE>

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


1.1     Underwriting Agreement - Senior Notes.

4.1     Indenture between Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation and
        Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee, dated as of April 24,
        1998.

10.1    Amendment No. 3 dated as of April 24, 1998 to Amended and
        Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 11, 1997,
        as amended, by and among General Electric Capital
        Corporation, individually and as agent, certain other
        lenders and financial institutions parties thereto, Finlay
        Fine Jewelry Corporation and Finlay Enterprises, Inc.

10.2    Amendment No. 6 dated as of April 24, 1998 to Gold
        Consignment Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995, as
        amended, between Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation and Rhode
        Island Hospital Trust National Bank.
 

                                       -5-





 

                         Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation

                           8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008

                                _________________

                             Underwriting Agreement
                                                               April  20, 1998

Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
  Securities Corporation,
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC
c/o Goldman, Sachs & Co.,
85 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10004

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Finlay Fine Jewelry  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),
proposes,  subject to the terms and conditions  stated herein, to issue and sell
to  you  as  the  several   Underwriters   named  in   Schedule I   hereto  (the
"Underwriters")  an aggregate of $150,000,000  principal amount of the Company's
8 3/8% Senior Notes due May 1, 2008 (the "Securities").

 
1. Each of the Company and Finlay Enterprises,  Inc., a Delaware corporation and
the parent of the Company  ("Parent"),  represents  and  warrants to, and agrees
with, each of the Underwriters that:

(a)  A registration  statement on Form S-1 (File No.  333-48563),  as amended by
     Amendments Nos. 1 and 2 thereto (the "Initial Registration Statement"),  in
     respect of the  Securities  has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission (the "Commission");  such Initial Registration Statement and any
     post-effective  amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to
     you,  and,  excluding  exhibits  thereto,  to you  for  each  of the  other
     Underwriters,  have been declared effective by the Commission in such form;
     other than a  registration  statement,  if any,  increasing the size of the
     offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration  Statement"),  filed pursuant to Rule
     462(b) under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended  (the "Act"),  which
     became  effective  upon  filing,  no other  document  with  respect to such
     Initial   Registration   Statement  has  heretofore  been  filed  with  the
     Commission;  and no stop order suspending the  effectiveness of the Initial
     Registration  Statement,  any post-effective  amendment thereto or the Rule
     462(b)  Registration  Statement,  if any, has been issued and no proceeding
     for that purpose has been  initiated or threatened by the Commission to the
     Company or its counsel (any preliminary  prospectus included in the Initial
     Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a)
     of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act is hereinafter
     called  a  "Preliminary  Prospectus";  the  various  parts  of the  Initial
     Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration  Statement, if any,
     including  all exhibits  thereto but  excluding  Form T-1 and including the
     information  contained  in the  form of  final  prospectus  filed  with the
     Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in accordance with Section
     5(a)  hereof  and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Act to be part of
     the Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective or
     such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, that became or
     hereafter becomes  effective,  each as amended at the time such part of the
     registration  statement  became  effective,  are  hereinafter  collectively
     called the

<PAGE>

 
"Registration  Statement";  such  final  prospectus,  in the  form  first  filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus";

(b)  No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has
     been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time
     of filing thereof,  conformed in all material  respects to the requirements
     of the Act,  the  Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939,  as  amended  (the  "Trust
     Indenture   Act"),   and  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the  Commission
     thereunder,  and did not contain an untrue  statement of a material fact or
     omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
     make the statements  therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
     they were made, not misleading;  and the statements made therein within the
     coverage  of Rule  175(b)  under  the Act were made by the  Company  with a
     reasonable  basis  and  in  good  faith;   provided,   however,  that  this
     representation  and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions
     made in reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  information  furnished  in
     writing  to the  Company by an  Underwriter  through  Goldman,  Sachs & Co.
     expressly for use therein;

(c)  The  Registration  Statement  conforms,  and the Prospectus and any further
     amendments or supplements to the  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus
     will conform,  in all material  respects to the requirements of the Act and
     the Trust  Indenture Act and the rules and  regulations  of the  Commission
     thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable  effective date as
     to the  Registration  Statement  and any amendment  thereto,  and as of the
     applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement
     thereto,  contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
     material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the
     statements  therein not misleading;  and the statements made therein within
     the  coverage of Rule 175(b)  under the Act were made by the Company with a
     reasonable  basis  and  in  good  faith;   provided,   however,  that  this
     representation  and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions
     made in reliance  upon and in  conformity  with  information  furnished  in
     writing  to the  Company by an  Underwriter  through  Goldman,  Sachs & Co.
     expressly for use therein;

(d)  Neither  Parent nor the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries  has sustained
     since the date of the latest audited financial  statements  included in the
     Prospectus any material loss or  interference  with its business from fire,
     explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or
     from any labor dispute or court or  governmental  action,  order or decree,
     otherwise than as set forth or contemplated  in the Prospectus;  and, since
     the respective  dates as of which  information is given in the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus,  there has not been any change in the capital
     stock  or  long-term   debt  of  Parent  or  the  Company  or  any  of  its
     subsidiaries,  except for  borrowings  and  repayments  under the Revolving
     Credit Agreement and the Gold Consignment Agreement (each as defined in the
     Prospectus  and as amended as described in the  Prospectus) or any material
     adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse
     change,  in or affecting the business,  operations,  management,  financial
     position   or   condition,   current   assets,   merchandise   inventories,
     stockholders' equity or results of operations of Parent and the Company and
     its subsidiaries taken as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect"),  otherwise
     than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;

(e)  Parent and the Company and its subsidiaries  have good and marketable title
     in fee simple to all real  property  and good and  marketable  title to all
     material  personal  property  owned by them, in each case free and clear of
     all liens,  encumbrances  and defects  except such as are  described in the
     Prospectus or such as do not  materially  affect the value of such property
     and do not  interfere  with the use made  and  proposed  to be made of such
     property by Parent and the Company and its  subsidiaries;  and any material
     real property and buildings  held under lease by Parent and the Company and
     its subsidiaries  are held by them under valid,  subsisting and enforceable
     leases with such  exceptions as are not material and do not interfere  with
     the use

 
<PAGE>

     made and proposed to be made of such  property and  buildings by Parent and
     the Company and its subsidiaries;

(f)  Each of the  Company and Parent has been duly  incorporated  and is validly
     existing as a corporation  in good standing  under the laws of the State of
     Delaware,  with  corporate  power and authority to own its  properties  and
     conduct its  business as  described  in the  Prospectus,  and has been duly
     qualified as a foreign  corporation  for the transaction of business and is
     in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns
     or leases  properties  or  conducts  any  business  so as to  require  such
     qualification,  or is subject to no material  liability  or  disability  by
     reason of the  failure to be so  qualified  in any such  jurisdiction;  the
     Company's  indirect  subsidiary,  Societe  Nouvelle d'Achat de Bijouterie -
     S.O.N.A.B. ("Sonab") is duly organized and validly existing as a societe en
     nom  collectif in France;  each other direct or indirect  subsidiary of the
     Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation
     in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of  incorporation,  and
     has been duly  qualified as a foreign  corporation  for the  transaction of
     business and is in good standing under the laws of each other  jurisdiction
     in which it owns or leases  properties  or conducts  any  business so as to
     require  such  qualification,  or is subject to no  material  liability  or
     disability  by  reason  of the  failure  to be so  qualified  in  any  such
     jurisdiction;

(g)  Parent has an  authorized  capitalization  as set forth  under the  caption
     "Description  of Capital  Stock" in the  Prospectus,  and all of the issued
     shares of capital  stock of Parent  have been duly  authorized  and validly
     issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description of
     such  capital  stock  contained  in the  Prospectus;  and all of the issued
     shares of capital  stock of the Company and each  subsidiary of the Company
     have  been  duly  authorized  and  validly  issued,   are  fully  paid  and
     non-assessable  and (except for directors'  qualifying  shares, if any, and
     except as set forth in the  Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by
     Parent, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims;

(h)  The Securities have been duly authorized by the Company and, on the Closing
     Date,  will have been duly  executed,  issued and delivered by the Company,
     and when the Securities, in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture
     (the  "Indenture"),  substantially  in the form  filed as an exhibit to the
     Registration  Statement,  to be  entered  into by the  Company  and  Marine
     Midland Bank, as Trustee (the  "Trustee"),  have been  authenticated by the
     Trustee and  delivered to and paid for by the  Underwriters  in  accordance
     with the terms of this  Agreement,  the Securities  will be entitled to the
     benefits of the Indenture  and will  constitute  valid and legally  binding
     obligations of the Company,  enforceable  against the Company in accordance
     with their terms,  subject, as to enforcement,  to bankruptcy,  insolvency,
     reorganization,  fraudulent  conveyance or transfer,  moratorium  and other
     laws of general  applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors' rights
     and to general  equity  principles  (regardless  of whether  enforcement is
     sought in a proceeding  in equity or at law);  the  Indenture has been duly
     authorized by the Company and qualified  under the Trust  Indenture Act and
     when duly  executed  and  delivered  by the Company and the  Trustee,  will
     constitute a valid and legally binding instrument,  enforceable against the
     Company  in  accordance  with its terms,  subject,  as to  enforcement,  to
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,  fraudulent conveyance or transfer,
     moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting
     creditors' rights and to general equity  principles  (regardless of whether
     enforcement  is  sought  in a  proceeding  in  equity  or at law);  and the
     Securities and the Indenture  will conform in all material  respects to the
     descriptions thereof in the Prospectus;

(i)  The  issue and sale of the  Securities  and the  compliance  by each of the
     Company  and  Parent  with all of the  provisions  of the  Securities,  the
     Indenture and this Agreement  applicable to it and the  consummation of the
     transactions herein and therein  contemplated (i) will not conflict with or
     result in a breach or  violation of any of the terms or  provisions  of, or
     constitute a default under, any indenture,  mortgage,  deed of trust,  loan
     agreement,  lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which Parent
     or the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by


<PAGE>

     which  Parent,  the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which
     and of the property or assets  of  Parent or the Company or any of its sub-
     sidiaries is subject,except any such conflict, breach, violation or default
     which has been consented to or waived in a valid and binding  writing  duly
     executed  and  delivered  to Parent or the  Company  by or on behalf of the
     party  granting  such  consent  or  waiver;  (ii)  will not  result  in any
     violation  of the  provisions  of Parent's or the  Company's  or any of its
     subsidiaries'   respective   certificate   or   restated   certificate   of
     incorporation  or by-laws or restated  by-laws or comparable  documents and
     (iii) will not result in any violation of any statute or any order, rule or
     regulation of any court or governmental  agency or body having jurisdiction
     over  Parent  or the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  or any of their
     properties; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or
     qualification  of or with any such court or governmental  agency or body is
     required for the issue and sale of the  Securities or the  consummation  by
     Parent or the Company of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement
     and the Indenture,  except such as have been obtained under the Act and the
     Trust   Indenture  Act  and  such  consents,   approvals,   authorizations,
     registrations or  qualifications  as may be required under foreign or state
     securities  or  Blue  Sky  laws  in   connection   with  the  purchase  and
     distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters;

(j)  Neither Parent nor the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries is in violation
     of its respective  certificate or restated  certificate of incorporation or
     by-laws or restated by-laws or comparable  documents,  or in default in the
     performance  or  observance  of  any  obligation,  agreement,  covenant  or
     condition  contained  in any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed  of  trust,  loan
     agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which it is a
     party or by which it or any of its  properties  may be bound which  default
     could  reasonably  be  expected  to  result  in,  individually  or  in  the
     aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(k)  The statements set forth in the Prospectus  under the caption  "Description
     of  Certain  Indebtedness",   insofar  as  they  purport  to  describe  the
     provisions  of  the  documents  referred  to  therein,  under  the  caption
     "Description  of Senior  Notes",  insofar as they  purport to  constitute a
     summary   of  the  terms  of  the   Securities   and   under  the   caption
     "Underwriting",  insofar as they purport to describe the  provisions of the
     laws and  documents  referred  to  therein,  are  accurate  and fair in all
     material respects;

(l)  Other  than  as set  forth  in  the  Prospectus,  there  are  no  legal  or
     governmental  proceedings  pending to which Parent or the Company or any of
     its  subsidiaries  is a party or of which  any  property  of  Parent or the
     Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is the subject  which,  if  determined
     adversely  to  Parent  or the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries,  could
     individually or in the aggregate  reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse  Effect;  and, to the  Company's  and Parent's  knowledge,  no such
     proceedings are threatened or  contemplated by governmental  authorities or
     threatened by others;

(m)  Each of the  Company  and  Parent is not and,  after  giving  effect to the
     offering and sale of the Securities, will not be an "investment company" or
     an  entity  "controlled"  by an  "investment  company",  as such  terms are
     defined in the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment
     Company Act");

(n)  Arthur  Andersen LLP, who have  certified  certain  consolidated  financial
     statements of the Company,  are independent  public accountants as required
     by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

(o)  Parent and the Company and its subsidiaries  directly or through host store
     groups  are  subject  to  consent   decrees,   injunctions   or  comparable
     governmental   orders  or  decrees   regarding  the  discount  pricing  and
     advertising  of jewelry  from  "regular" or  "original"  prices only in the
     states of California,  Colorado,  Georgia, Oregon and Wisconsin, and Parent
     and the Company and its subsidiaries  are in compliance  therewith and with
     applicable federal and state laws with

 
<PAGE>

     respect to such   pricing  and advertising practices, except for such  non-
     compliance previously  identified in  writing by the Company to the  Under-
     writers  which could not  individually  or in  the  aggregate reasonably be
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(p)  Neither Parent nor the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any
     notice that any default by Parent or the Company or any of its subsidiaries
     has occurred and is  continuing  under any of the license  agreements  with
     host store groups described or identified in the Prospectus to which Parent
     or the  Company  or any of its  subsidiaries  are a party and no  condition
     exists which could individually or in the aggregate  reasonably be expected
     to result in the  termination or nonrenewal of any such license  agreement;
     each such license  agreement has been duly authorized  (and, in the case of
     written license agreements, duly and validly executed and delivered) by and
     on behalf of Parent or the  Company and its  subsidiaries,  as the case may
     be,  and,  assuming  the due  authorization  (and,  in the case of  written
     license  agreements,  the due and valid execution and delivery)  thereof by
     the other party or parties thereto,  is the valid and binding obligation of
     Parent and the Company,  its  subsidiaries and such other party or parties,
     as the case may be,  enforceable in accordance  with its  respective  terms
     against  the  respective  parties  thereto  subject  to the  effect  of any
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or
     transfer, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally
     and to general principles of equity  (regardless of whether  enforcement is
     sought in a  proceeding  in equity or at law);  and neither  Parent nor the
     Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice (whether actual
     or  constructive)  that the licensor  thereunder is  considering  limiting,
     suspending,  revoking  or  non-renewing  any such  license;  except that no
     representation is made with respect to the Company's license agreement with
     Liberty House as to the effect on such license agreement of the filing of a
     voluntary  petition by Liberty House under the Bankruptcy  Code (as defined
     in the Prospectus);

(q)  Each of the Company and Parent has duly  authorized  the  amendment  to the
     Revolving   Credit   Agreement   that  is  described  in  the   Prospectus.
     Substantially  contemporaneously  with the Time of Delivery  (as defined in
     Section 4 hereof),  the Company  and Parent  will duly  execute and deliver
     such  amendment to the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement.  The Company has duly
     authorized  the  amendment  to  the  Gold  Consignment  Agreement  that  is
     described in the Prospectus.  Substantially contemporaneously with the Time
     of Delivery,  the Company  will duly execute and deliver such  amendment to
     the Gold Consignment Agreement.  Assuming the due authorization,  execution
     and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto, (a) the Revolving Credit
     Agreement,  as amended as described above, will constitute the legal, valid
     and  binding  agreement  of  the  Company  and  Parent  and  (b)  the  Gold
     Consignment  Agreement,  as amended as described above, will constitute the
     legal,  valid  and  binding  agreement  of  the  Company,   in  each  case,
     enforceable against the Company and/or Parent, as the case may be, subject,
     as to enforcement, to insolvency, reorganization,  fraudulent conveyance or
     transfer, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or
     affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles (regardless of
     whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law); and

(r)  Neither the Company nor Parent nor any of their respective  affiliates does
     business  with the  government  of Cuba or with  any  person  or  affiliate
     located in Cuba within the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes.

     2. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees
to sell  to  each of the  Underwriters,  and  each of the  Underwriters  agrees,
severally and not jointly,  to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price of
97.646% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from May
1, 1998 to the Time of Delivery  hereunder,  the principal  amount of Securities
set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.


 
<PAGE>

     3. Upon the  authorization  by  Goldman,  Sachs  and Co.,  on behalf of the
Underwriters, of the release of the Securities, the several Underwriters propose
to offer the  Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus.

     4. (a) The Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder will be
represented by one or more definitive global Securities in book-entry form which
will be  deposited  by or on behalf of the  Company  with The  Depository  Trust
Company  ("DTC") or its  designated  custodian.  The  Company  will  deliver the
Securities to Goldman, Sachs & Co., for the account of each Underwriter, against
payment by or on behalf of such  Underwriter  of the purchase  price therefor by
wire  transfer  of Federal  (same-day)  funds to the  account  specified  by the
Company  to  Goldman,  Sachs & Co. at least  forty-eight  hours in  advance,  by
causing DTC to credit the  Securities to the account of Goldman,  Sachs & Co. at
DTC. The Company will cause the  certificates  representing the Securities to be
made available to Goldman,  Sachs & Co. for checking at least  twenty-four hours
prior to the Time of  Delivery  (as  defined  below) at the office of DTC or its
designated  custodian  (the  "Designated  Office").  The  time  and date of such
delivery and payment  shall be 9:30 a.m.,  New York City time, on April 24, 1998
or such other time and date as  Goldman,  Sachs & Co. and the  Company may agree
upon in writing.  Such time and date for  delivery of the  Securities  is herein
called the "Time of Delivery".

     (b) The  documents  to be delivered at the Time of Delivery by or on behalf
of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 7 hereof,  including the cross receipt
for the Securities and any additional  documents  requested by the  Underwriters
pursuant to Section 7(k) hereof, will be delivered at the offices of Jones, Day,
Reavis & Pogue, 599 Lexington Avenue,  37th Floor, New York, New York 10022 (the
"Closing  Location"),  and the  Securities  will be delivered at the  Designated
Office,  all at the Time of  Delivery.  A  meeting  will be held at the  Closing
Location at 2:00 p.m.,  New York City time,  on the New York  Business  Day next
preceding  the Time of  Delivery,  at which  meeting  the  final  drafts  of the
documents to be delivered  pursuant to the preceding  sentence will be available
for review by the parties hereto.  For the purposes of this Section 4, "New York
Business Day" shall mean each Monday,  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday and Friday
which  is not a day on which  banking  institutions  in New  York are  generally
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

     5. The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters:

(a)  To  prepare  the  Prospectus  in a form  approved  by you and to file  such
     Prospectus  pursuant  to Rule  424(b)  under  the Act not  later  than  the
     Commission's  close of business on the second  business day  following  the
     execution and delivery of this  Agreement or, if  applicable,  such earlier
     time as may be  required  by Rule  430A(a)(3)  under  the  Act;  to make no
     further  amendment  or any  supplement  to the  Registration  Statement  or
     Prospectus  prior to the Time of Delivery which shall be disapproved by the
     Underwriters  promptly  after  reasonable  notice  thereof;  to advise you,
     promptly after it receives notice  thereof,  of the time when any amendment
     to the  Registration  Statement has been filed or becomes  effective or any
     supplement to the  Prospectus or any amended  Prospectus has been filed and
     to furnish you with copies  thereof;  to file  promptly all reports and any
     definitive  proxy or  information  statements  required  to be filed by the
     Company with the Commission  pursuant to Section 13(a),  13(c), 14 or 15(d)
     of the Exchange Act  subsequent  to the date of the  Prospectus  and for so
     long as the delivery of a  prospectus  is required in  connection  with the
     offering  or sale of the  Securities;  to  advise  you,  promptly  after it
     receives  notice  thereof,  of the issuance by the  Commission  of any stop
     order or of any order  preventing or suspending the use of any  Preliminary
     Prospectus or  Prospectus,  of the suspension of the  qualification  of the
     Securities for offering or sale in any  jurisdiction,  of the initiation or
     threatening of any  proceeding  for any such purpose,  or of any request by
     the  Commission  for the  amending  or  supplementing  of the  Registration
     Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of
     the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the
     use of any  Preliminary  Prospectus or  Prospectus  or suspending  any such
     qualification, promptly to use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of
     such order;


 
<PAGE>
 
(b)  Promptly  from  time  to time to take  such  action  as you may  reasonably
     request  to  qualify  the  Securities  for  offering  and  sale  under  the
     securities laws of such  jurisdictions as you may reasonably request and to
     comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings
     therein in such  jurisdictions  for as long as may be necessary to complete
     the distribution of the Securities,  provided that in connection  therewith
     the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to
     file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction or to take
     any other action which would  subject it to the service of process in suits
     or to taxation,  other than as to matters and transactions  relating to the
     offer  and  sale  of the  Securities  in each  jurisdiction  in  which  the
     Securities have been qualified as provided above;

(c)  Prior to 12:00 noon,  New York City time, on the New York Business Day next
     succeeding the date of this Agreement and from time to time, to furnish the
     Underwriters  with  copies  of the  Prospectus  in New  York  City  in such
     quantities  as you  may  reasonably  request,  and,  if the  delivery  of a
     prospectus  is required at any time prior to the  expiration of nine months
     after the time of issue of the  Prospectus in connection  with the offering
     or sale of the Securities and if at such time any event shall have occurred
     as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or  supplemented  would
     include  an  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omit to  state  any
     material fact  necessary in order to make the  statements  therein,  in the
     light of the circumstances  under which they were made when such Prospectus
     is  delivered,  not  misleading,  or, if for any  other  reason it shall be
     necessary during such period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order
     to comply with the Act or the Trust  Indenture  Act, to notify you and upon
     your  request to file such  document  and to prepare  and  furnish  without
     charge to each  Underwriter  and to any dealer in securities as many copies
     as you may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or
     a  supplement  to the  Prospectus  which will  correct  such  statement  or
     omission or effect such compliance, and in case any Underwriter is required
     to deliver a prospectus in connection  with sales of any of the  Securities
     at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the  Prospectus,
     upon your  request but at the expense of such  Underwriter,  to prepare and
     deliver to such Underwriter as many copies as you may request of an amended
     or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;

(d)  To make generally  available to its securityholders as soon as practicable,
     but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective date of
     the  Registration  Statement  (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an
     earnings  statement of the Company and its subsidiaries  (which need not be
     audited)  complying  with  Section  11(a)  of the  Act and  the  rules  and
     regulations thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);

(e)  During the period  beginning  from the date  hereof and  continuing  to and
     including the date 180 days after the date of the  Prospectus,  not to (and
     to cause each of its subsidiaries not to) register for sale,  offer,  sell,
     contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, except as provided hereunder, any
     Securities  or  any  securities  that  are  substantially  similar  to  the
     Securities (other than the Senior Debentures (as defined in the Prospectus)
     of Parent  in an  aggregate  principal  amount  of $75.0  million),  or any
     securities of the Company or any such subsidiary of the Company convertible
     into or  exchangeable  for securities of the Company or any such subsidiary
     of the Company substantially similar to the Securities;

(f)  Within the time limits  prescribed  by the Exchange  Act, to furnish to the
     holders  of the  Securities  after  the end of each  fiscal  year an annual
     report (including a balance sheet and statements of operations,  changes in
     stockholders'  equity and cash flows of the  Company  and its  consolidated
     subsidiaries  certified by independent  public  accountants) and, after the
     end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year (beginning with
     the fiscal  quarter  ending after the  effective  date of the  Registration
     Statement),  consolidated summary financial  information of the Company and
     its subsidiaries for such quarter in reasonable detail;


<PAGE>

(g)  During a period of five years from the effective  date of the  Registration
     Statement,  to furnish to you copies of all reports or other communications
     (financial or other) furnished to  stockholders,  and to deliver to you (i)
     as soon  as  they  are  available,  copies  of any  reports  and  financial
     statements  furnished  to or filed  with  the  Commission  or any  national
     securities  exchange  on which any class of  securities  of the  Company is
     listed or quoted (such financial  statements to be on a consolidated  basis
     to the  extent  the  accounts  of the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are
     consolidated in reports  furnished to its stockholders  generally or to the
     Commission);  and (ii) such additional  information concerning the business
     and  financial  condition  of the Company or Parent as you may from time to
     time reasonably request;

(h)  To use the net  proceeds  received  by it from the  sale of the  Securities
     pursuant to this Agreement in the manner  specified in the Prospectus under
     the caption "Use of Proceeds";

(i)  If the Company  elects to rely upon Rule 462(b),  the Company  shall file a
     Rule 462(b)  Registration  Statement with the Commission in compliance with
     Rule  462(b) by 10:00  p.m.,  Washington,  D.C.  time,  on the date of this
     Agreement,  and the Company  shall at the time of filing  either pay to the
     Commission  the filing fee for the Rule 462(b)  Registration  Statement  or
     give irrevocable  instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule
     111(b) under the Act.

     6. The Company covenants and agrees with the several  Underwriters that the
Company will pay or cause to be paid the following:  (i) the fees, disbursements
and expenses of the Company's  counsel and  accountants  in connection  with the
registration  of the  Securities  under  the  Act  and  all  other  expenses  in
connection  with  the  preparation,  printing  and  filing  of the  Registration
Statement,  any  Preliminary  Prospectus  and the  Prospectus and amendments and
supplements  thereto  and the mailing and  delivering  of copies  thereof to the
Underwriters  and dealers;  (ii) the cost of printing or producing any Agreement
Among  Underwriters,  this  Agreement,  the Indenture,  any Blue Sky Memorandum,
closing documents (including any reasonable  compilations thereof) and any other
documents in connection  with the offering,  purchase,  sale and delivery of the
Securities;  (iii) all  expenses in  connection  with the  qualification  of the
Securities  for  offering  and sale under state  securities  laws as provided in
Section 5(b) hereof,  including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
for the  Underwriters  in connection with such  qualification  and in connection
with any Blue Sky and legal investment surveys, if any; (iv) all fees charged by
securities  rating  services  for rating the  Securities;  (v) the  filing  fees
incident  to, and the  reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel  for the
Underwriters  in connection  with,  securing any required review by the National
Association  of  Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  of the  terms  of the  sale  of the
Securities; (vi) the cost of preparing certificates representing the Securities;
(vii) the  fees and  expenses of the Trustee  and the  Collateral  Agent and any
agent of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent and the fees and  disbursements of
counsel  for the  Trustee  and the  Collateral  Agent  in  connection  with  the
Indenture and the  Securities;  (viii) all other costs and expenses  incident to
the performance of the Company's  obligations  hereunder which are not otherwise
specifically  provided for in this  Section.  It is  understood,  however,  that
except  as  provided  in  this  Section,  and  Sections  8 and  11  hereof,  the
Underwriters  will pay all of their own costs and  expenses,  including the fees
and disbursements of their counsel and any advertising  expenses  connected with
any offers they may make.

     7. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder shall be subject, in their
discretion,  to the condition that all  representations and warranties and other
statements  of the  Company  and  Parent  herein  are,  at and as of the Time of
Delivery,  true and correct,  the condition  that each of the Company and Parent
shall  have  performed  all  of  its  obligations  hereunder  theretofore  to be
performed, and the following additional conditions:

     (a) The Prospectus  shall have been filed with the  Commission  pursuant to
Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period  prescribed for such filing by the
rules and regulations  under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof;
if  the  Company  has  elected  to  rely  upon  Rule  462(b),  the  Rule  462(b)
Registration  Statement shall have become  effective by 10:00 p.m.,  Washington,
D.C.  time,  on the  date  of  this  Agreement;  no stop  order  suspending  the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or

 
<PAGE>

any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall
have been  initiated  or  threatened  by the  Commission;  and all  requests for
additional  information on the part of the  Commission  shall have been complied
with to your reasonable satisfaction;

     (b) Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue,  counsel for the  Underwriters,  shall have
furnished  to you such  opinion  or  opinions  (a draft of each such  opinion is
attached as Annex II(a) hereto), dated the Time of Delivery, with respect to the
matters  covered in paragraphs  (i), (ii),  (v), (vi),  (vii),  (x) and (xii) of
subsection (c) below as well as such other related matters as you may reasonably
request,  and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as
they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

     (c) Paul,  Weiss,  Rifkind,  Wharton & Garrison,  counsel for the  Company,
shall have  furnished to you their  written  opinion (a draft of such opinion is
attached as Annex  II(b)  hereto)  (which  opinion may be limited to the federal
laws of the  United  States,  the laws of the State of New York and the  General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and in giving such opinion such counsel
may state that,  insofar as any  opinions  involve  factual  matters,  they have
relied,  to the extent they deem proper,  upon  certificates  of officers of the
Company or its subsidiaries and  certificates of responsible  public  officials,
copies of which  certificates  will be  provided  to you upon  delivery  of such
counsel's  opinion),  dated  the  Time of  Delivery,  in form and  substance  as
attached, to the effect that:

(i)  Each of the  Company and Parent has been duly  incorporated  and is validly
     existing as a corporation  in good standing  under the laws of the State of
     Delaware,  with  corporate  power and authority to own its  properties  and
     conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;

(ii) Parent has an  authorized  capitalization  as set forth  under the  caption
     "Description  of Capital  Stock" in the  Prospectus,  and all of the issued
     shares of capital stock of Parent and the Company have been duly authorized
     and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

(iii)Each   subsidiary  of  the  Company   (other  than  Sonab)  has  been  duly
     incorporated  and is validly  existing as a  corporation  in good  standing
     under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation;  and all of the issued
     shares of capital  stock of each  subsidiary  of the  Company  (other  than
     Sonab) have been duly  authorized  and validly  issued,  are fully paid and
     non-assessable,  and (except for directors'  qualifying shares, if any, and
     except  as  otherwise  set  forth in the  Prospectus)  are  owned of record
     directly or  indirectly  by the Company,  to the knowledge of such counsel,
     free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects;

(iv) To such counsel's  knowledge and other than as set forth in the Prospectus,
     there are no legal or governmental  proceedings  pending to which Parent or
     the Company or any of its  subsidiaries is a party or of which any property
     of Parent or the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is the subject which,
     if   determined   adversely  to  Parent  or  the  Company  or  any  of  its
     subsidiaries, could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected
     to have a Material  Adverse Effect;  and, to such counsel's  knowledge,  no
     such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities
     or threatened by others;

(v)  This  Agreement  has been duly  authorized,  executed and  delivered by the
     Company and Parent;

(vi) The Securities have been duly authorized, executed,  authenticated,  issued
     and delivered and constitute  valid and legally binding  obligations of the
     Company  entitled  to the  benefits  provided  by the  Indenture;  and  the
     Securities  and the  Indenture  conform  in all  material  respects  to the
     descriptions thereof in the Prospectus;


 
<PAGE>
 
(vii)The  Indenture  has been duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered by the
     Company and,  when duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered by the other
     parties  thereto,  will constitute a valid and legally binding  instrument,
     enforceable in accordance with its terms;  the Indenture has been qualified
     under the Trust Indenture Act;

(viii) The  issue  and sale of the  Securities  being  delivered  at the Time of
     Delivery by the Company and the  compliance  by the Company and Parent with
     the  applicable  provisions  of the  Securities,  the  Indenture  and  this
     Agreement  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  herein and  therein
     contemplated  will not conflict  with or result in a breach or violation of
     any of the terms or  provisions  of, or  constitute  a default  under,  any
     indenture,  mortgage,  deed of trust, loan agreement,  real property lease,
     license or other material  agreement or instrument known to such counsel to
     which  Parent or the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  is a party or by
     which Parent or the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which
     any of the  property  or  assets of  Parent  or the  Company  or any of its
     subsidiaries  is subject,  nor (b) will such action result in any violation
     of the provisions of (i) the respective certificate or restated certificate
     of incorporation,  or respective  by-laws or restated by-laws,  as the case
     may be, of the  Company or Parent,  (ii) any  statute,  rule or  regulation
     known  to  such  counsel  of  any   governmental   agency  or  body  having
     jurisdiction  over Parent or the Company or any of its  subsidiaries or any
     of their  respective  properties or (iii) any order applicable to Parent or
     the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective  properties
     of any court,  governmental agency or body known to such counsel based upon
     an  officer's   certificate   listing  any  such  orders  (which  officer's
     certificate shall be delivered with such opinion);

(ix) No consent, approval,  authorization,  order, registration or qualification
     of or with any such court or  governmental  agency or body is required  for
     the issue and sale of the Securities or the  consummation by the Company of
     the transactions  contemplated by the Indenture and this Agreement,  except
     such as have been  obtained  under the Act and the Trust  Indenture Act and
     such consents, approvals,  authorizations,  registrations or qualifications
     as may be required  under  foreign or state  securities or Blue Sky laws in
     connection  with the purchase and  distribution  of the  Securities  by the
     Underwriters;

(x)  The statements set forth in the Prospectus  under the caption  "Description
     of  Certain  Indebtedness",   insofar  as  they  purport  to  describe  the
     provisions  of  the  documents  referred  to  therein,  under  the  caption
     "Description  of Senior  Notes",  insofar as they  purport to  constitute a
     summary   of  the  terms  of  the   Securities,   and  under  the   caption
     "Underwriting",  insofar as they purport to describe the  provisions of the
     laws and  documents  referred  to  therein,  are  accurate  and fair in all
     material respects;

(xi) Each of the Company and Parent is not an "investment  company" or an entity
     "controlled" by an "investment  company",  as such terms are defined in the
     Investment Company Act; and

(xii)The  Registration  Statement and the Prospectus and any further  amendments
     and  supplements  thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery
     (other  than the  financial  statements  and  related  schedules  and other
     financial  data  included  therein or omitted  therefrom,  as to which such
     counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects
     with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations  thereunder;
     although  they  do  not  assume  any   responsibility   for  the  accuracy,
     completeness  or fairness of the statements  contained in the  Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus, except for those referred to in the opinion in
     subsection  (ix) of this  Section  7(c),  such  counsel may state that such
     counsel  has  participated  in  conferences  at which the  contents  of the
     Registration   Statement  and  the  Prospectus  and  related  matters  were
     discussed, and, on the basis of such participation,  they have no reason to
     believe that, as of its effective date, the  Registration  Statement or any
     further amendment thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery
     (other than the financial

 
<PAGE>
 
     statements and related schedules and other financial data included  therein
     or omitted therefrom, as to which such counsel  need  express  no  opinion)
     contained  an untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omitted to state a
     material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the
     statements  therein not  misleading or that, as of its date, the Prospectus
     or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to
     the Time of  Delivery  (other  than the  financial  statements  and related
     schedules and other financial data included  therein or omitted  therefrom,
     as to which such  counsel  need  express no  opinion)  contained  an untrue
     statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact  necessary
     to make the statements  therein,  in the light of the  circumstances  under
     which they were made,  not  misleading or that, as of the Time of Delivery,
     either  the  Registration  Statement  or  the  Prospectus  or  any  further
     amendment or  supplement  thereto made by the Company  prior to the Time of
     Delivery  (other than the financial  statements  and related  schedules and
     other  financial data included  therein or omitted  therefrom,  as to which
     such  counsel need  express no opinion)  contains an untrue  statement of a
     material  fact or omits  to state a  material  fact  necessary  to make the
     statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
     made,  not  misleading;  and  they  do not  know  of any  amendment  to the
     Registration  Statement  required to be filed or of any  contracts or other
     documents  of a  character  required  to be  filed  as an  exhibit  to  the
     Registration  Statement  or required to be  described  in the  Registration
     Statement or the Prospectus which are not filed or described as required;

     (d) Tenzer Greenblatt LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to
you their  written  opinion (a draft of such  opinion is attached as Annex II(c)
hereto)  (which opinion may be limited to the federal laws of the United States,
the laws of the State of New York and the General  Corporation  Law of the State
of Delaware and in giving such  opinion such counsel may state that,  insofar as
any opinions involve factual matters,  they have relied, to the extent they deem
proper,  upon  certificates of officers of the Company or its  subsidiaries  and
certificates of responsible public officials,  copies of which certificates will
be provided to you upon delivery of such counsel's  opinion),  dated the Time of
Delivery, in form and substance as attached, to the effect that:

(i)  To such counsel's knowledge,  neither Parent nor the Company nor any of its
     subsidiaries  is in violation  of its  respective  certificate  or restated
     certificate of incorporation or by- laws or restated by-laws, or comparable
     documents,   or  in  default  in  the  performance  or  observance  of  any
     obligation,  agreement,  covenant or condition  contained in any indenture,
     mortgage,  deed of  trust,  loan  agreement,  lease or other  agreement  or
     instrument  to which it is a party or by which it or any of its  properties
     may  be  bound  which  default,  individually  or in the  aggregate,  could
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

     (e) Bonni G. Davis,  Vice  President,  General Counsel and Secretary of the
Company,  shall  have  furnished  to you her  written  opinion  (a draft of such
opinion is attached as Annex II(d) hereto)  (which opinion may be limited to the
federal  laws of the  United  States,  the laws of the State of New York and the
General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and in giving such opinion Ms.
Davis may state that,  insofar as any opinions involve factual matters,  she has
relied,  to the extent she deems proper,  upon  certificates  of officers of the
Company or its subsidiaries and  certificates of responsible  public  officials,
copies  of which  certificates  will be  provided  to you upon  delivery  of Ms.
Davis's opinion), dated the Time of Delivery, in form and substance as attached,
with respect to the matters  covered in paragraphs (iv) and (viii) of subsection
(c) above and  paragraph (i) of  subsection  (d) above and, in addition,  to the
effect that:

(i)  Each  subsidiary of the Company (other than Sonab for which no opinion need
     be  given)  has  been  duly  qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  for the
     transaction  of  business  and is in good  standing  under the laws of each
     other  jurisdiction  in which it owns or leases  properties or conducts any
     business so as to require such  qualification  or is subject to no material
     liability or disability by reason of failure to be so qualified in any such
     jurisdiction;  each of Parent and the Company has been duly  qualified as a
     foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing
     under the laws of each  jurisdiction in which it owns or leases  properties
     or conducts


<PAGE>

     any   business so  as  to  require such  qualification  or is subject to no
     material liability  or  disability  by  reason  of  its   failure  to be so
     qualified in any such jurisdiction;

(ii) Parent and the Company and its subsidiaries  have good and marketable title
     in fee  simple  to all real  property  owned by them in each  case free and
     clear of all liens,  encumbrances  and defects except such as are described
     in the  Prospectus  or such as do not  materially  affect the value of such
     property and do not interfere  with the use made and proposed to be made of
     such  property  by Parent and the  Company  and its  subsidiaries;  to such
     counsel's  knowledge  neither  Parent  nor  the  Company  nor  any  of  its
     subsidiaries  is in default  under any lease for real property or buildings
     held under  lease by Parent or the Company or its  subsidiaries  except for
     such defaults that are not material and do not interfere  with the use made
     and proposed to be made of such  property  and  buildings by Parent and the
     Company and its subsidiaries;  and the leases listed on Schedule III hereto
     are the only real  property  leases to which Parent and the Company and its
     subsidiaries  are a party and are  valid,  subsisting  and  enforceable  as
     against  Parent and the Company and its  subsidiaries  (as the case may be)
     with such  exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use
     made and proposed to be made of such  property and  buildings by Parent and
     the Company and its subsidiaries and except that the enforceability of such
     leases  is  subject  to  the  effect  of  any   applicable  ,   insolvency,
     reorganization,  fraudulent conveyance or transfer,  moratorium and similar
     laws affecting  creditors'  rights generally and general equity  principles
     (regardless  of whether  enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or
     at law) (in giving the opinion in this clause,  such counsel may state that
     no  examination  of record  titles for the purpose of such opinion has been
     made,  and that they are  relying  upon a general  review of the  titles of
     Parent and the Company and its subsidiaries, upon opinions of local counsel
     and abstracts,  reports and policies of title companies  rendered or issued
     at or subsequent to the time of  acquisition  of such property by Parent or
     the Company or its subsidiaries, upon opinions of counsel to the lessors of
     such  property  and, in respect of matters of fact,  upon  certificates  of
     officers of Parent or the Company or its subsidiaries;

(iii)To such  counsel's  knowledge (a) neither Parent nor the Company nor any of
     its  subsidiaries has received any notice that any default by Parent or the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries has occurred and is continuing under any
     of the license agreements with host store groups described or identified in
     the  Prospectus  to which Parent or the Company or any of its  subsidiaries
     are a party and (b) no condition exists which could  individually or in the
     aggregate reasonably be expected to result in the termination or nonrenewal
     of any such  license  agreement,  except that no opinion need be given with
     respect to the  Company's  license  agreement  with Liberty House as to the
     effect on such license  agreement of the filing of a voluntary  petition by
     Liberty House under the Bankruptcy Code (as defined in the Prospectus); and

(iv) To such counsel's knowledge,  no legal proceedings are pending or have been
     threatened  against Parent or the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  that
     are of a nature required to be disclosed in the Prospectus which are not so
     disclosed therein;

     (f)  Dechert  Price & Rhoads,  French  counsel to the  Company,  shall have
furnished to you their  written  opinion (a draft of such opinion is attached as
Annex II(e) hereto)  (which  opinion may be limited to the laws of France and in
giving such  opinion  French  counsel may state  that,  insofar as any  opinions
involve factual matters, it has relied, to the extent such counsel deems proper,
upon   certificates  of  officers  of  the  Company  or  its   subsidiaries  and
certificates of responsible public officials,  copies of which certificates will
be provided to you upon delivery of such counsel's  opinion),  dated the Time of
Delivery, in form and substance as attached, to the effect that:

(i)  Sonab has been duly  organized and is validly  existing as a societe en nom
     collectif in France; and


<PAGE>

(ii) all of the issued equity  interests of Sonab have been duly  authorized and
     validly created, are fully paid and non-assessable, and are validly held of
     record  directly or  indirectly  by the Company,  to the  knowledge of such
     counsel, free of all liens, encumbrances and defects, other than the pledge
     under the Company's Revolving Credit Agreement;

With respect to all opinions provided for above in paragraphs (b) through (f) of
this Section 7 as to validity,  binding effect and/or  enforceability,  any such
counsel may state that any such opinion as to  enforceability  is subject to the
effect of any  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,  fraudulent
conveyance  or  transfer,  moratorium  and other laws of  general  applicability
relating  to or  effecting  creditor  rights  and to general  equity  principles
(regardless  of whether  enforcement  is sought in a proceeding  in equity or at
law).

     (g) On the date of the  Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of this
Agreement,  at  9:30 a.m.,  New York City  time,  on the  effective  date of any
post-effective  amendment to the Registration  Statement filed subsequent to the
date of this  Agreement and also at each Time of Delivery,  Arthur  Andersen LLP
shall have furnished to you a letter or letters,  dated the respective  dates of
delivery thereof,  in form and substance  satisfactory to you, to the effect set
forth in Annex I hereto (the executed copy of the letter  delivered prior to the
execution of this  Agreement is attached as Annex I(a) hereto and a draft of the
form of letter  to be  delivered  on the  effective  date of any  post-effective
amendment  to the  Registration  Statement  and as of each Time of  Delivery  is
attached as Annex I(b) hereto);

     (h) (i) Neither  Parent nor the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries  shall
have  sustained  since  the  date of the  latest  audited  financial  statements
included in the Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from fire,
explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from
any strike,  boycott or similar labor dispute or court or  governmental  action,
order or decree,  otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus,
and  (ii) since  the  respective  dates as of which  information is given in the
Prospectus  there  shall  not  have  been any  change  in the  capital  stock or
long-term  debt of Parent or the Company or any of its  subsidiaries  except for
borrowings  and  repayments  under the Revolving  Credit  Agreement and the Gold
Consignment  Agreement  (each as  defined  in the  Prospectus  and as amended as
described in the  Prospectus),  or any change,  or any  development  involving a
prospective  change,  in or  affecting  the  business,  operations,  management,
financial  position  or  condition,  current  assets,  merchandise  inventories,
stockholders'  equity or results of operations of Parent and the Company and its
subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  otherwise than as set forth or  contemplated in
the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or
(ii), is in the judgment of Goldman,  Sachs & Co. on behalf of the  Underwriters
so material and adverse as to make it  impracticable  or  inadvisable to proceed
with the public  offering or the delivery of the  Securities on the terms and in
the manner contemplated in the Prospectus;

     (i) On or after the date hereof (i) no  downgrading  shall have occurred in
the rating accorded the Company's or Parent's debt securities by any "nationally
recognized  statistical  rating  organization",  as that term is  defined by the
Commission  for  purposes of Rule  436(g)(2)  under the Act,  and  (ii) no  such
organization  shall have publicly  announced that it has under  surveillance  or
review, with possible negative implications,  its rating of any of the Company's
or Parent's debt securities;

     (j) On or after the date hereof  there shall not have  occurred  any of the
following:  (i) a  suspension  or material  limitation  in trading in securities
generally  on the New York Stock  Exchange or on NASDAQ;  (ii) a  suspension  or
material  limitation  in  trading  in  Parent's  securities  on NASDAQ or in the
Company's  securities if then listed or quoted;  (iii) a  general  moratorium on
commercial  banking  activities  declared  by either  federal  or New York State
authorities;  or (iv) the  outbreak or escalation of  hostilities  involving the
United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or
war,  if the effect of any such  event  specified  in this  clause  (iv) in  the
judgment  of  Goldman,  Sachs & Co.  on  behalf  of the  Underwriters  makes  it
impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery
of the  Securities  being  delivered at the Time of Delivery on the terms and in
the manner contemplated in the Prospectus;



<PAGE>
 
     (k) The Company  shall have  furnished  or caused to be furnished to you at
the Time of  Delivery  certificates  of  officers  of the  Company  and  Parent,
respectively,  reasonably  satisfactory  to  you  as  to  the  accuracy  of  the
representations and warranties of the Company and Parent,  respectively,  herein
at and as of the Time of Delivery,  as to the performance by each of the Company
and Parent, of all of their respective  obligations hereunder to be performed at
or  prior to the  Time of  Delivery,  and as to such  other  matters  as you may
reasonably request, and the Company and Parent shall have furnished or caused to
be furnished certificates as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (h)
of this Section; and

     (l) The Company  shall have  complied  with the  provisions of Section 5(c)
hereof with respect to the furnishing of  prospectuses  on the New York Business
Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement;

     8. (a) The Company and Parent,  jointly and  severally,  will indemnify and
hold  harmless  each  Underwriter  against  any  losses,   claims,   damages  or
liabilities,  joint or several,  to which such  Underwriter  may become subject,
under  the  Act or  otherwise,  insofar  as  such  losses,  claims,  damages  or
liabilities  (or actions in respect  thereof)  arise out of or are based upon an
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
Preliminary  Prospectus,  the Registration  Statement or the Prospectus,  or any
amendment or supplement  thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged  omission  to state  therein a material  fact  required  to be stated
therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not  misleading,  and will
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses  reasonably  incurred
by such  Underwriter  in  connection  with  investigating  or defending any such
action or claim as such  expenses  are  incurred;  provided,  however,  that the
Company  and Parent  shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any
such loss,  claim,  damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
statement or alleged  untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission made in
any Preliminary Prospectus,  the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any
such  amendment or supplement  in reliance  upon and in conformity  with written
information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through Goldman, Sachs &
Co. expressly for use therein.

     (b) Each Underwriter severally will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and Parent  against  any losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  to which the
Company or Parent may become  subject,  under the Act or  otherwise,  insofar as
such losses,  claims,  damages or  liabilities  (or actions in respect  thereof)
arise out of or are based upon an untrue  statement or alleged untrue  statement
of a material fact contained in any  Preliminary  Prospectus,  the  Registration
Statement or the Prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement  thereto,  or arise
out of or are based upon the  omission or alleged  omission  to state  therein a
material fact required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that
such  untrue  statement  or alleged  untrue  statement  or  omission  or alleged
omission was made in any Preliminary  Prospectus,  the Registration Statement or
the  Prospectus  or any such  amendment or  supplement  in reliance  upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter
through Goldman,  Sachs & Co. expressly for use therein;  and will reimburse the
Company and Parent for any legal or other  expenses  reasonably  incurred by the
Company and Parent in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim as such expenses are incurred.

     (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified  party under subsection (a) or
(b) above of notice of the commencement of any action,  such  indemnified  party
shall,  if a claim in respect  thereof is to be made  against  the  indemnifying
party under such  subsection,  notify the  indemnifying  party in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall
not relieve it from any  liability  which it may have to any  indemnified  party
otherwise than under such  subsection.  In case any such action shall be brought
against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying  party of the
commencement  thereof,  the indemnifying  party shall be entitled to participate
therein  and,  to the  extent  that  it  shall  wish,  jointly  with  any  other
indemnifying  party  similarly  notified,  to assume the defense  thereof,  with
counsel  satisfactory to such indemnified  party (who shall not, except with the
consent of the indemnified  party, be counsel to the indemnifying  party),  and,
after  notice  from  the  indemnifying  party to such  indemnified  party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be


<PAGE>
 
liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of
other counsel or any other expenses,  in each case subsequently incurred by such
indemnified  party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent
of the  indemnified  party,  which consent shall not be  unreasonably  withheld,
effect the  settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment
with respect to, any pending or  threatened  action or claim in respect of which
indemnification  or  contribution  may be sought  hereunder  (whether or not the
indemnified  party is an  actual  or  potential  party to such  action or claim)
unless such  settlement,  compromise  or judgment (i) includes an  unconditional
release of the indemnified  party from all liability  arising out of such action
or claim and (ii) does not include a statement  as to or an  admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

     (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to
or  insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified  party under  subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect  thereof)  referred to therein,  then each  indemnifying  party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such  indemnified  party as a result
of such losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative  benefits  received
by the Company and Parent on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from
the offering of the  Securities.  If,  however,  the allocation  provided by the
immediately  preceding  sentence is not  permitted by  applicable  law or if the
indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection (c) above,
then each indemnifying  party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by
such indemnified  party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only
such relative  benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and Parent on
the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements
or omissions which resulted in such losses,  claims,  damages or liabilities (or
actions  in  respect  thereof),   as  well  as  any  other  relevant   equitable
considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company and Parent on the
one hand and the  Underwriters  on the  other  shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion  as the  total  net  proceeds  from the  offering  (before  deducting
expenses) received by the Company bear to the total  underwriting  discounts and
commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table
on the cover page of the  Prospectus.  The relative fault shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged  omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company and Parent on the one hand or the
Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information  and  opportunity  to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The  Company,  Parent and the  Underwriters  agree that it would not be just and
equitable if  contributions  pursuant to this  subsection (d) were determined by
pro rata  allocation  (even if the  Underwriters  were treated as one entity for
such purpose) or by any other method of  allocation  which does not take account
of the equitable  considerations  referred to above in this  subsection (d). The
amount  paid or  payable  by an  indemnified  party as a result  of the  losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above
in this  subsection  (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other  expenses
reasonably  incurred by such indemnified party in connection with  investigating
or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of this
subsection  (d), no  Underwriter  shall be required to contribute  any amount in
excess  of the  amount  by  which  the  total  price  at  which  the  Securities
underwritten  by it and  distributed  to the public  were  offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages  which such  Underwriter  has  otherwise  been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution  from
any  person  who  was  not  guilty  of such  fraudulent  misrepresentation.  The
Underwriters'  obligations  in this  subsection (d) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

     (e) The obligations of the Company and Parent under this Section 8 shall be
in addition to any liability which the Company and Parent may otherwise have and
shall extend,  upon the same terms and conditions,  to each person,  if any, who
controls any  Underwriter  within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of
the  Underwriters  under this  Section 8 shall be in addition  to any  liability
which the respective  Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the
same terms and conditions, to


 
<PAGE>

each officer and director of the Company and Parent and to each person,  if any,
who controls the Company and Parent within the meaning of the Act.

     9. (a) If any  Underwriter  shall default in its obligation to purchase the
Securities which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery,  you
may in your  discretion  arrange  for you or another  party or other  parties to
purchase such Securities on the terms  contained  herein.  If within  thirty-six
hours after such default by any  Underwriter you do not arrange for the purchase
of such  Securities,  then the Company shall be entitled to a further  period of
thirty-six  hours  within  which to  procure  another  party  or  other  parties
satisfactory  to you to purchase  such  Securities  on such terms.  In the event
that, within the respective  prescribed periods, you notify the Company that you
have so arranged for the purchase of such Securities,  or the Company notify you
that they have so  arranged  for the  purchase  of such  Securities,  you or the
Company  shall have the right to postpone  the Time of Delivery  for a period of
not more than seven  days,  in order to effect  whatever  changes may thereby be
made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,  or in any other
documents  or  arrangements,  and  the  Company  agrees  to  file  promptly  any
amendments to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in your opinion
may thereby be made necessary.  The term "Underwriter" as used in this Agreement
shall include any person  substituted  under this Section with like effect as if
such person had  originally  been a party to this Agreement with respect to such
Securities.

     (b) If, after  giving  effect to any  arrangements  for the purchase of the
Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as
provided in subsection (a) above,  the aggregate number of such Securities which
remains  unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of all
the  Securities to be purchased at the Time of Delivery,  then the Company shall
have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number
of shares  which such  Underwriter  agreed to purchase  hereunder at the Time of
Delivery  and,  in  addition,  to require  each  non-defaulting  Underwriter  to
purchase  its pro rata  share  (based on the  number of  Securities  which  such
Underwriter  agreed to purchase  hereunder) of the Securities of such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters for which such  arrangements have not been made; but
nothing  herein shall relieve a defaulting  Underwriter  from  liability for its
default.

     (c) If, after  giving  effect to any  arrangements  for the purchase of the
Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by you and the Company as
provided in subsection (a) above,  the aggregate number of such Securities which
remains  unpurchased  exceeds  one-eleventh  of the aggregate  number of all the
Securities to be purchased at the Time of Delivery,  or if the Company shall not
exercise the right  described in subsection (b) above to require  non-defaulting
Underwriters to purchase Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters,
then this Agreement shall thereupon terminate,  without liability on the part of
any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company or Parent, except for the expenses
to be borne by the Company and the  Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof
and the indemnity and contribution  agreements in Section 8 hereof;  but nothing
herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     10. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and
other  statements of the Company,  Parent and the several  Underwriters,  as set
forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively,  pursuant
to this  Agreement,  shall  remain in full force and effect,  regardless  of any
investigation  (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter,  or the Company
or Parent or any  officer or director  or  controlling  person of the Company or
Parent, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

     11. If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9 hereof, the
Company  shall  not then be under any  liability  to any  Underwriter  except as
provided  in  Sections 6  and 8 hereof  and  Parent  shall not then be under any
liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Section 8 hereof; but, if for
any  other  reason,  any  Securities  are not  delivered  by or on behalf of the
Company as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters  through
you for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing


<PAGE>

by you, including fees and disbursements of counsel,  reasonably incurred by the
Underwriters in making  preparations for the purchase,  sale and delivery of the
Securities  not so  delivered,  but the  Company  shall then be under no further
liability to any  Underwriter  except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof and
Parent  shall then be under no further  liability to any  Underwriter  except as
provided in Section 8 hereof.

     12. In all dealings hereunder,  Goldman, Sachs & Co. shall act on behalf of
each of the  Underwriters,  and the parties  hereto shall be entitled to act and
rely  upon  any  statement,  request,  notice  or  agreement  on  behalf  of any
Underwriter made or given by you jointly or by Goldman, Sachs & Co. on behalf of
you as the Underwriters.

     All  statements,  requests,  notices and agreements  hereunder  shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile  transmission to the Underwriters in care of Goldman,  Sachs & Co., 85
Broad Street, New York, New York 10004, Attention:  Registration Department; and
if to the Company or to Parent shall be delivered or sent by mail to the address
of the Company set forth in the Registration  Statement,  Attention:  Secretary;
provided,  however,  that any notice to an Underwriter  pursuant to Section 8(d)
hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail,  telex or facsimile  transmission  to
such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or
telex  constituting  such  Questionnaire,  which address will be supplied to the
Company. Any such statements,  requests, notices or agreements shall take effect
upon receipt thereof.

     13. This  Agreement  shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit
of, the  Underwriters,  the Company  and Parent  and, to the extent  provided in
Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers, directors and controlling persons of the
Company  and Parent and each  person who  controls  any  Underwriter,  and their
respective  heirs,  executors,  administrators,  successors and assigns,  and no
other  person  shall  acquire  or have  any  right  under or by  virtue  of this
Agreement.  No purchaser of any of the Securities from any Underwriter  shall be
deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

     14. Time shall be of the essence of this  Agreement.  As used  herein,  the
term  "business  day"  shall  mean  any day  when  the  Commission's  office  in
Washington, D.C. is open for business.

     15. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in accordance  with
the laws of the State of New York.

     16. This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto
in any number of counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.



<PAGE>

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding,  please sign and
return to us ten  counterparts  hereof,  and upon the  acceptance  hereof by the
Underwriters,  this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding
agreement  among each of the  Underwriters  and the Company  and  Parent.  It is
understood  that  your  acceptance  of  this  letter  on  behalf  of each of the
Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement Among
Underwriters,  the  form  of  which  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Company  for
examination upon request,  but without warranty on your part as to the authority
of the signers thereof.
     
                                         Very truly yours,

                                         Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation

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


                                         Finlay Enterprises, Inc.

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


Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
  Securities Corporation
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC



By: /s/ Goldman, Sachs & Co.             
    ------------------------------
    (Goldman, Sachs & Co.)

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

 
 


<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE I


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           Principal Amount
                                                         of Securities to be
                                   Underwriter                 Purchased
                                   -----------           --------------------

<S>                                                           <C>       
Goldman, Sachs & Co..................................         60,000,000
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
  Securities Corporation.............................         60,000,000
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC................         30,000,000
                                                            -------------     
              Total..................................       $150,000,000
                                                            =============     
</TABLE>










 
 


<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE III
 
                                 New York Leases
                                Section 7(e)(ii)
                                ----------------


1. Lease Agreement dated as of August 27, 1993 between  F.H.E.A.  Associates and
   the Company

2. Lease Agreement dated as of August 19, 1993 between 529 Fifth Company and the
   Company, as amended

3. Lease  Agreement  dated as of August  19,  1993  between  521  Fifth  Avenue
   Associates and the Company, as amended

4. Lease Agreement dated as of June 17, 1986 between 521 Fifth Avenue Associates
   and S&L Acquisition Company L.P., as amended

5. Lease Agreement dated as of May 1, 1995 between Alvin Jacobson Realty and the
   Company

6. Lease Agreement dated as of October 4, 1994 between Tanger Properties Limited
   Partnership and the Company, as amended

7. Lease Agreement dated May 2, 1996 between Horizon/Glen Outlet Centers Limited
   Partnership and the Company


<PAGE>
 
 



                                                                      ANNEX I

                          DESCRIPTION OF COMFORT LETTER

     Pursuant to Section 7(g) of the  Underwriting  Agreement,  the  accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

(i)  They are  independent  certified  public  accountants  with  respect to the
     Company  and  its  subsidiaries  within  the  meaning  of the  Act  and the
     applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

(ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary  financial
     information and schedules  examined by them (and, if applicable,  financial
     forecasts  and/or  pro  forma  financial  information,  on which  they have
     performed  more  limited  procedures  as  specified  in  such  letter,  not
     constituting an examination in accordance with generally  accepted auditing
     standards)  and included in the  Prospectus or the  Registration  Statement
     comply as to form in all  material  respects  (or, in the case of financial
     forecasts  and/or  pro forma  financial  information,  on the basis of such
     limited  procedures,  nothing  came to their  attention  that cause them to
     believe  that  such  financial   forecasts   and/or  pro  forma   financial
     information  do not comply as to form in all  material  respects)  with the
     applicable  accounting  requirements  of the Act and the related  published
     rules and  regulations  thereunder;  and, if  applicable,  they have made a
     review in accordance with standards  established by the American  Institute
     of Certified  Public  Accountants  of the  unaudited  consolidated  interim
     financial   statements,   selected  financial  data,  pro  forma  financial
     information,  financial  forecasts  and/or condensed  financial  statements
     derived from audited  financial  statements  of the Company for the periods
     specified in such letter, as indicated in their reports thereon,  copies of
     which have been separately  furnished to the  Underwriters and are attached
     hereto;

(iii)If  applicable,  they  have  made a review  in  accordance  with  standards
     established by the American  Institute of Certified  Public  Accountants of
     the unaudited  condensed  consolidated  statements of income,  consolidated
     balance  sheets and  consolidated  statements of cash flows included in the
     Prospectus as indicated in their reports thereon, copies of which have been
     separately  furnished to the Underwriters  and are attached hereto,  and on
     the basis of specified  procedures  including inquiries of officials of the
     Company  who have  responsibility  for  financial  and  accounting  matters
     regarding whether the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
     referred to in paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all material
     respects with the  applicable  accounting  requirements  of the Act and the
     Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations,  nothing came
     to their attention that cause them to believe that the unaudited  condensed
     consolidated  financial statements do not comply as to form in all material
     respects with the  applicable  accounting  requirements  of the Act and the
     Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations;

(iv) The  unaudited   selected   financial   information  with  respect  to  the
     consolidated  results of operations  and financial  position of the Company
     for the five most recent  fiscal years  included in the  Prospectus  agrees
     with the corresponding amounts (after restatements where applicable) in the
     audited consolidated  financial statements for such five fiscal years which
     were included or incorporated by reference in the Company's  Annual Reports
     on Form 10-K for such fiscal years;

(v)  They  have  compared  the  information  in the  Prospectus  under  selected
     captions with the  disclosure  requirements  of  Regulation  S-K and on the
     basis of limited procedures  specified in such letter nothing came to their
     attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused them

 

<PAGE>


     to  believe that  this   information   does  not conform   in all  material
     respects with the disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302 (if applicable)
     402 and 503(d) (if applicable), respectively, of Regulation S-K;

(vi) They have -
 
(a)  Inquired of certain  officials of the Company who have  responsibility  for
     financial  and  accounting  matters  as  to  (i)  whether  all  significant
     assumptions regarding the business combinations and financing  transactions
     had been  reflected  in the pro forma  adjustments,  and (ii)  whether  the
     unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements referred to
     (vi)(a)  comply as to form, in all material  respects,  with the applicable
     accounting  requirements  of rule 11-02 of  Regulation  S-X; and that those
     officials  stated,  in response  to such  inquiries,  that all  significant
     assumptions regarding the business combinations and financing  transactions
     had been reflected in the pro forma  adjustments and that the unaudited pro
     forma condensed  consolidated  financial  statements referred to in (vi)(a)
     comply as to form, in all material respects, with the applicable accounting
     requirements of rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X.

(b)  Compared  and/or  recomputed the historical  financial  information for the
     Company  included on pages  [       ]  and  [       ]  in the  Registration
     Statement  with the applicable  historical  financial  information  for the
     Company on pages F-[   ] and F-[   ], respectively, and found them to be in
     agreement.

(c)  Proved  the  arithmetic  accuracy  of  the  application  of the  pro  forma
     adjustments to the historical  amounts in the unaudited pro forma condensed
     consolidated financial statements.

(vii)On the basis of limited  procedures,  not  constituting  an  examination in
     accordance  with generally  accepted  auditing  standards,  consisting of a
     reading  of  the  unaudited  financial  statements  and  other  information
     referred  to below,  a reading of the latest  available  interim  financial
     statements  of the Company and its  subsidiaries,  inspection of the minute
     books of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  since the date of the  latest
     audited  financial  statements  included in the  Prospectus,  inquiries  of
     officials of the Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial and
     accounting  matters  and such  other  inquiries  and  procedures  as may be
     specified in such letter,  nothing came to their attention that caused them
     to believe that:

(a)(i) the unaudited consolidated statements of operations, consolidated balance
     sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus
     do not  comply  as to form in all  material  respects  with the  applicable
     accounting  requirements  of the Act and the  related  published  rules and
     regulations,  or (ii)  any  material  modifications  should  be made to the
     unaudited  condensed  consolidated  statements of operations,  consolidated
     balance  sheets and  consolidated  statements of cash flows included in the
     Prospectus for them to be in conformity with generally accepted  accounting
     principles;

(b)  any other  unaudited  statement of operations  data and balance sheet items
     included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding items in the
     unaudited  consolidated financial statements from which such data and items
     were derived,  and any such unaudited data and items were not determined on
     a basis  substantially  consistent  with the  basis  for the  corresponding
     amounts in the audited  consolidated  financial  statements included in the
     Prospectus;


<PAGE>

(c)  the  unaudited  financial   statements  which  were  not  included  in  the
     Prospectus  but from which were derived any unaudited  condensed  financial
     statements  referred  to in  Clause  (A) and  any  unaudited  statement  of
     operations  data and balance  sheet items  included in the  Prospectus  and
     referred  to in Clause  (B) were not  determined  on a basis  substantially
     consistent with the basis for the audited consolidated financial statements
     included in the Prospectus;

     (d) any unaudited pro forma consolidated  condensed  financial  information
included in the  Prospectus  do not comply as to form in all  material  respects
with the applicable  accounting  requirements of the Act and the published rules
and regulations  thereunder or the pro forma  adjustments have not been properly
applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of that information;

(e)  as of a  specified  date not more than five days  prior to the date of such
     letter,  there have been any  changes  in the  consolidated  capital  stock
     (other than  issuances of capital  stock upon exercise of options and stock
     appreciation   rights,  upon  earn-outs  of  performance  shares  and  upon
     conversions of convertible securities,  in each case which were outstanding
     on the date of the latest financial  statements included in the Prospectus)
     or any increase in the  consolidated  long-term debt of the Company and its
     subsidiaries,  or any  decreases  in  consolidated  net  current  assets or
     stockholders'  equity or other items specified by the Underwriters,  or any
     increases  in any  items  specified  by the  Underwriters,  in each case as
     compared  with amounts shown in the latest  balance  sheet  included in the
     Prospectus,  except in each case for changes,  increases or decreases which
     the Prospectus  discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described
     in such letter; and

(f)  for the period from the date of the latest financial statements included in
     the  Prospectus to the specified  date referred to in Clause (E) there were
     any decreases in consolidated net revenues or operating profit or the total
     or per share amounts of consolidated net income or other items specified by
     the  Underwriters,   or  any  increases  in  any  items  specified  by  the
     Underwriters,  in each case as compared with the  comparable  period of the
     preceding year and with any other period of corresponding  length specified
     by the  Underwriters,  except in each case for decreases or increases which
     the Prospectus  discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described
     in such letter; and
 
(viii) In addition to the examination referred to in their report(s) included in
     the  Prospectus  and the limited  procedures,  inspection  of minute books,
     inquiries and other  procedures  referred to in  paragraphs  (iii) and (vi)
     above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting
     an examination in accordance with generally  accepted  auditing  standards,
     with respect to certain  amounts,  percentages  and  financial  information
     specified  by  the  Underwriters,   which  are  derived  from  the  general
     accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries, which appear in the
     Prospectus,  or in  Part  II of,  or in  exhibits  and  schedules  to,  the
     Registration  Statement  specified by the  Underwriters,  and have compared
     certain of such amounts,  percentages  and financial  information  with the
     accounting  records of the Company and its subsidiaries and have found them
     to be in agreement.




 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                         FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION

 
                       8 3/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE MAY 1, 2008







                                    INDENTURE




                      ------------------------------------



                           Dated as of April 24, 1998


                      ------------------------------------





                               Marine Midland Bank
                                     Trustee




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>


                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*


Trust Indenture Act Section                                  Indenture Section

310(a)(1).................................................................7.10
   (a)(2).................................................................7.10
   (a)(3).................................................................N.A.
   (a)(4).................................................................N.A.
   (a)(5).................................................................7.l0
   (b)....................................................................7.10
   (c)....................................................................N.A.
311(a)....................................................................7.11
   (b)....................................................................7.11
   (c)....................................................................N.A.
312(a)....................................................................2.05
   (b)...................................................................11.03
   (c)...................................................................11.03
313(a)....................................................................7.06
   (b)(1).................................................................N.A.
   (b)(2)...........................................................7.06; 7.07
   (c).............................................................7.06; 11.02
   (d)....................................................................7.06
314(a).......................................................4.03; 4.04; 11.02
   (b)....................................................................N.A.
   (c)(1)................................................................11.04
   (c)(2)................................................................11.04
   (c)(3) ................................................................N.A.
   (d)....................................................................N.A.
   (e)...................................................................11.05
   (f)....................................................................N.A.
315(a)....................................................................7.01
   (b) ............................................................7.05, 11.02
   (c)....................................................................7.01
   (d)....................................................................7.01
   (e)....................................................................6.11
316(a)(last sentence).....................................................2.09
   (a)(1)(A)..............................................................6.05
   (a)(1)(B)..............................................................6.04
   (a)(2).................................................................N.A.
   (b)....................................................................6.07
   (c)....................................................................2.13
317(a)(1).................................................................6.08
   (a)(2).................................................................6.09
   (b)....................................................................2.04
318(a)...................................................................11.01
   (b)....................................................................N.A.
   (c)...................................................................11.01

_____________________________________________________                      
N.A. means not applicable.
*This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

<PAGE>

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
                                   
                                    ARTICLE 1
                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION   1.01.  Definitions.................................................1
SECTION   1.02.  Other Definitions..........................................15
SECTION   1.03.  Terms of TIA...............................................16
SECTION   1.04.  Rules of Construction......................................16

                                    ARTICLE 2
                                 THE DEBENTURES

SECTION   2.01.  Form and Dating............................................17
SECTION   2.02.  Execution and Authentication...............................17
SECTION   2.03.  Registrar and Paying Agent.................................18
SECTION   2.04.  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust........................18
SECTION   2.05.  Holder Lists...............................................19
SECTION   2.06.  Transfer and Exchange......................................19
SECTION   2.07.  Replacement Debentures.....................................21
SECTION   2.08.  Outstanding Debentures.....................................21
SECTION   2.09.  Treasury Debentures........................................22
SECTION   2.10.  Temporary Debentures.......................................22
SECTION   2.11.  Cancellation...............................................22
SECTION   2.12.  Defaulted Interest.........................................23
SECTION   2.13.  Record Date................................................23
SECTION   2.14.  CUSIP Number...............................................23

                                    ARTICLE 3
                            REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

SECTION  3.01.   Notices to Trustee.........................................23
SECTION   3.02.  Selection of Debentures to Be Redeemed.....................24
SECTION   3.03.  Notice of Redemption.......................................24
SECTION   3.04.  Effect of Notice of Redemption.............................25
SECTION   3.05.  Deposit of Redemption Price................................25
SECTION   3.06.  Debentures Redeemed in Part................................26
SECTION   3.07.  Optional Redemption........................................26
SECTION   3.08.  Mandatory Redemption.......................................27
SECTION   3.09.  Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess 
                   Proceeds.................................................27

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                    COVENANTS

SECTION   4.01.  Payment of Debentures......................................29
SECTION   4.02.  Maintenance of Office or Agency............................29
SECTION   4.03.  Reports....................................................29
SECTION   4.04.  Compliance Certificate.....................................30
SECTION   4.05.  Taxes......................................................31
SECTION   4.06.  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.............................31
SECTION   4.07.  Restricted Payments........................................31
SECTION   4.08.  Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions 
                   Affecting Subsidiaries...................................34
SECTION   4.09.  Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance 
                   of Preferred Stock.......................................35
SECTION   4.10.  Asset Sales................................................38
SECTION   4.11.  Equity Interests of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries..............39
SECTION   4.12.  Transactions with Affiliates...............................39
SECTION   4.13.  Liens......................................................40
SECTION   4.14.  Corporate Existence........................................40
SECTION   4.15.  Offer to Repurchase upon Change of Control.................41
SECTION   4.16.  Payments for Consent.......................................41

                                    ARTICLE 5
                                   SUCCESSORS

SECTION   5.01.  Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets...................42
SECTION   5.02.           Successor Corporation Substituted.................42

                                    ARTICLE 6
                              DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION   6.01.  Events of Default..........................................43
SECTION   6.02.  Acceleration...............................................45
SECTION   6.03.  Other Remedies.............................................46
SECTION   6.04.  Waiver of past Defaults....................................46
SECTION   6.05.  Control by Majority........................................47
SECTION   6.06.  Limitation on Suits........................................47
SECTION   6.07.  Rights of Holders of Debentures to Receive 
                   Payment..................................................47
SECTION   6.08.  Collection Suit by Trustee.................................48
SECTION   6.09.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...........................48
SECTION   6.10.  Priorities.................................................48
SECTION   6.11.  Undertaking for Costs......................................49

                                    ARTICLE 7
                                     TRUSTEE

SECTION   7.01.  Duties of Trustee..........................................49
SECTION   7.02.  Rights of Trustee..........................................50

<PAGE>
                                                 
SECTION  7.03.   Individual Rights of Trustee...............................50
SECTION  7.04.   Trustee's Disclaimer.......................................50
SECTION  7.05.   Notice of Defaults.........................................51
SECTION  7.06.   Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.................51
SECTION  7.07.   Compensation and Indemnity.................................51
SECTION  7.08.   Replacement of Trustee.....................................52
SECTION  7.09.   Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc...........................53
SECTION  7.10.   Eligibility; Disqualification..............................53
SECTION  7.11.   Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company..........53

                                    ARTICLE 8
                    LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION  8.01.   Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...54
SECTION  8.02.   Legal Defeasance and Discharge.............................54
SECTION  8.03.   Covenant Defeasance........................................54
SECTION  8.04.   Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.................55
SECTION  8.05.   Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in 
                   Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions....................56
SECTION  8.06.   Repayment to Company.......................................57
SECTION  8.07.   Reinstatement..............................................57

                                    ARTICLE 9
                        AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION  9.01.   Without Consent of Holders of Notes........................57
SECTION  9.02.   With Consent of Holders of Notes...........................58
SECTION  9.03.   Compliance with Trust Indenture Act........................59
SECTION  9.04.   Revocation and Effect of Consents..........................60
SECTION  9.05.   Notation on or Exchange of Notes...........................60
SECTION  9.06.   Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc............................60

                                   ARTICLE 10
                              SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

SECTION  10.01.  Application................................................60
SECTION  10.02.  Guarantee..................................................61
SECTION  10.03.  Limitation on Guarantor Liability..........................62
SECTION  10.04.  Execution and Delivery of Subsidiary Guarantee.............62
SECTION  10.05.  Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms.........63
SECTION  10.06.  Releases Following Sale of Assets..........................63
SECTION  10.07.  Transfers of Intangible Assets.............................63


<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE 11
                                  MSCELLANEOUS

SECTION  11.01.  Trust Indenture Act Controls...............................64
SECTION  11.02.  Notices....................................................64
SECTION  11.03.  Communication by Holders of Notes with Other 
                   Holders of Notes.........................................65
SECTION  11.04.  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.........65
SECTION  11.05.  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion..............66
SECTION  11.06.  Rules by Trustee and Agents................................66
SECTION  11.07.  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees
                 and Stockholders...........................................66
SECTION  11.08.  Governing Law..............................................66
SECTION  11.09.  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements..............67
SECTION  11.10.  Successors.................................................67
SECTION  11.11.  Severability...............................................67
SECTION  11.12.  Counterpart Originals......................................67
SECTION  11.13.  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc...........................67


EXHIBIT A        Form of Note
EXHIBIT B        Form of License Agreement
EXHIBIT C        Form of Subsidiary Guarantee
EXHIBIT D        Form of Supplemental Indenture
EXHIBIT E        Form of Subsidiary Intercompany Note

<PAGE>

     INDENTURE   dated  as  of  April  24,  1998  between  Finlay  Fine  Jewelry
Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation (the "Company" or "Finlay  Jewelry"),  and
Marine Midland Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee").

     The Company and the Trustee  agree as follows for the benefit of each other
and for the equal and ratable  benefit of the Holders of the 83/8%  Senior Notes
due May 1, 2008 (the "Notes").

                                     ARTICLE 1 
                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     SECTION 1.01. DEFINITIONS.

     "Acquired  Debt"  means,  with  respect  to  any  specified   Person:   (i)
Indebtedness  of any other  Person  existing  at the time such  other  Person is
merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person,  including,
without   limitation,   Indebtedness   incurred  in   connection   with,  or  in
contemplation  of,  such  other  Person  merging  with  or into  or  becoming  a
Subsidiary  of  such  specified  Person;  (ii)  Indebtedness  secured  by a Lien
encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person;  and (iii) Indebtedness
incurred  by such  Person in  connection  with the  acquisition  of assets  from
another  Person,  including  Indebtedness  incurred  by  such  other  Person  in
connection  with, or in  contemplation  of, such specified Person acquiring such
assets.

     "Affiliate"  of any  specified  Person means any other  Person  directly or
indirectly  controlling  or  controlled  by or under  direct or indirect  common
control with such specified Person.  For purposes of this definition,  "control"
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms "controlling",  "controlled by"
and "under common control with"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean
the  possession,  directly  or  indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the
direction  of the  management  or policies of such Person,  whether  through the
ownership  of voting  securities,  by  agreement  or  otherwise;  provided  that
beneficial  ownership of 10% or more of the voting  securities of a Person shall
be deemed to be control.

     "Agent" means any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

     "Applicable  Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of
or for beneficial  interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the
Depositary, that apply to such transfer or exchange.

     "Asset Sale" means (i) the sale, lease,  conveyance or other disposition of
any assets (including, without limitation, by way of a sale and leaseback) other
than  sales of  inventory  or  accounts  receivable  in the  ordinary  course of
business  consistent  with  past  practices)  provided  that  the  sale,  lease,
conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions
of  Section  4.15  hereof or the  provisions  of Article 5 hereof and not by the
provisions of Section 4.10 hereof); and (ii) the issue or sale by the Company or
any  of  its   Subsidiaries  of  Equity   Interests  of  any  of  the  Company's

<PAGE>

Subsidiaries,  in the case of either  clause  (i) or (ii),  whether  in a single
transaction  or a series of  related  transactions  (a) that have a fair  market
value in  excess  of $2.0  million  or (b) for net  proceeds  in  excess of $2.0
million.  Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) a transfer of assets by the Company
to a Wholly Owned  Subsidiary of the Company or by a Wholly Owned  Subsidiary of
the Company to the Company or to another Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company;
(ii) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company
to the Company or to another  Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  of the Company;  (iii) a
Restricted  Payment that is permitted by the  provisions of Section 4.07 hereof;
(iv) any sale of any item pursuant to the Gold Consignment Agreement or any item
deemed to be Consignment  Inventory immediately prior to such sale; (v) any sale
and  leaseback of any assets within 60 calendar  days after the  acquisition  of
such assets; (vi) any sale,  conveyance or other disposition,  without recourse,
of  Receivables  to  a  Receivables  Subsidiary,  provided  that  cash  or  Cash
Equivalents  in an amount at least  equal to the fair  market  value  thereof is
received in consideration  thereof and, provided further, that any such transfer
to an  entity  that  is not a  Receivables  Subsidiary  or that  ceases  to be a
Receivables Subsidiary shall not be exempted from the definition of "Asset Sale"
by reason of this clause (vi);  and (vii) sales of surplus and other property or
equipment that has become worn-out,  obsolete,  damaged or otherwise  unsuitable
for use in connection  with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company,  as the case may be,  will not be deemed to be Asset  Sales.  Any Asset
Sale that occurs by reason of an entity  ceasing to be a Receivables  Subsidiary
as contemplated in clause (vi) above shall be deemed to have been made as of the
date of such cessation.

     "Attributable  Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback  transaction means,
at the time of  determination,  the  present  value  (discounted  at the rate of
interest  implicit in such  transaction,  determined in accordance with GAAP) of
the obligation of the lessee for net rental  payments  during the remaining term
of the lease  included in such sale and  leaseback  transaction  (including  any
period  for which  such  lease has been  extended  or may,  at the option of the
lessor, be extended).

     "Bankruptcy  Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state
law for the relief of debtors.

     "Business Day" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,  Thursday and Friday,
other than a day on which banking  institutions  in The City of New York or at a
place of payment are authorized by law, legislation or executive order to remain
closed.  If a payment  date is a day  other  than a  Business  Day at a place of
payment,  payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding Business Day,
and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

     "Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination  thereof is
to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would
at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with
GAAP.

     "Capital  Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation,  corporate  stock;
(ii) in the case of an  association  or  business  entity,  any and all  shares,
interests,  participations,  rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
corporate  stock;  (iii) in the  case of a  partnership,  partnership  interests
(whether general or limited);  and (iv) any other interest or participation that
confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the  profits  and losses of,
or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

     "Cash Equivalents" means (i) United States dollars;  (ii) securities issued
or directly and fully  guaranteed or insured by the United States  government or

<PAGE>

any agency or  instrumentality  thereof  having  maturities of not more than one
year from the date of acquisition;  (iii) certificates of deposit and Eurodollar
time  deposits  with  maturities  of  six  months  or  less  from  the  date  of
acquisition,  bankers'  acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and
overnight bank deposits,  in each case with any domestic  commercial bank having
capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thompson Bank Watch Rating
of "B" or better;  (iv) repurchase  obligations  with a term of not more than 30
days for underlying  securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii)
above entered into with any  financial  institution  meeting the  qualifications
specified in clause (iii) above;  and (v) commercial paper having one of the two
highest ratings  obtainable from Moody's Investors  Service,  Inc. or Standard &
Poor's Corporation and in each case maturing within six months after the date of
acquisition.

     "Change of Control" means the  occurrence of any of the following:  (i) the
sale, lease,  transfer,  conveyance or other  disposition  (other than by way of
merger or consolidation),  in one or a series of related transactions, of all or
substantially  all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries  taken as a
whole to any "person" (as such term is used in Section  13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act) other than the Principals or their Related Parties (as defined below); (ii)
the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company
or Finlay  Enterprises;  (iii) the  consummation of any transaction  (including,
without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any
"person"  (as  defined  above),  other  than the  Principals  and their  Related
Parties,  becomes the "beneficial  owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3
and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50%
of the voting  power of the  Company;  (iv) the first day on which a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors of the Company or Finlay  Enterprises  are
not  Continuing  Directors;  or (v) the  first day on which  Finlay  Enterprises
ceases to own 100% of the  outstanding  Equity  Interests  of the  Company.  For
purposes of this  definition,  any  transfer of an Equity  Interest of an entity
that was formed for the purpose of acquiring  voting stock of the Company  shall
be deemed to be a transfer of such portion of such voting  stock as  corresponds
to the portion of the equity of such entity that has been so transferred.

     "Company" means Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation, and any and all successors
thereto.

     "Consignment  Inventory"  means,  at any  time,  each  item of  merchandise
(including any gold content  thereof) which (i) at such time is in possession of
the Company,  Finlay  Enterprises  or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries  as
consignee  pursuant  to a written  consignment  agreement  or other  consignment
arrangement  including,  without limitation,  a consignment order or consignment
invoice,  (ii) at such time is  identified  in computer  records of the Company,
Finlay  Enterprises or any of their  respective  Subsidiaries as being "memo" or
"consigned  inventory",  (iii) as of such  time has not been  sold,  and (iv) to
which title,  at such time,  is retained by a consignor  under such  consignment
agreement or other  consignment  arrangement  until such item of  merchandise is
sold or  deemed  sold by the  consignor  to the  consignee.  Title to an item of
merchandise described in the foregoing sentence is deemed to be retained by such
consignor  until,  in accordance  with the applicable  consignment  agreement or
other   consignment   arrangement,   title  is  transferred  (or  deemed  to  be
transferred)  to a  buyer,  the  Company,  Finlay  Enterprises  or any of  their
respective  Subsidiaries,   regardless  of  whether  any  procedures  have  been
performed  to  protect  the  consignor's  title  with  respect  to such  item of
merchandise.

<PAGE>

     "Consolidated  Cash Flow" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the  Consolidated  Net Income of such  Person for such period plus (i) an amount
equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss realized in connection with an
Asset  Sale  (to  the  extent  such  losses  were  deducted  in  computing  such
Consolidated  Net  Income);  plus (ii)  provision  for taxes  based on income or
profits of such Person and its Subsidiaries for such period,  to the extent that
such provision for taxes was included in computing such Consolidated Net Income;
plus (iii) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for
such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not capitalized  (including,
without limitation,  amortization of original issue discount,  non-cash interest
payments,  the  interest  component  of any deferred  payment  obligations,  the
interest  component of all payments  associated with Capital Lease  Obligations,
imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt,  commissions,  discounts and
other fees and  charges  incurred  in  respect  of letter of credit or  bankers'
acceptance   financings,   and  net  payments  (if  any)   pursuant  to  Hedging
Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income;  plus (iv)  depreciation  and  amortization  (including
amortization  of goodwill and other  intangibles  but excluding  amortization of
prepaid cash  expenses  that were paid in a prior period) of such Person and its
Subsidiaries  for  such  period  to  the  extent  that  such   depreciation  and
amortization were deducted in computing such  Consolidated Net Income;  plus (v)
without  duplication,   the  nonrecurring   expenses  of  such  Person  and  its
Subsidiaries  relating to the Equity  Offering and the Refinancing to the extent
that any such  expense was deducted  (and not  capitalized)  in  computing  such
Person's   Consolidated  Net  Income;   minus  (vi)  non-cash  items  increasing
consolidated  revenues  in  determining  such  Consolidated  Net Income for such
period,  in each case on a consolidated  basis and determined in accordance with
GAAP.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the provision for taxes on the income or
profits  of,  and the  depreciation  and  amortization  of a  Subsidiary  of the
referent  Person  shall  be  added  to   Consolidated   Net  Income  to  compute
Consolidated  Cash Flow only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the
Net Income of such Subsidiary was included in calculating the  Consolidated  Net
Income of such Person and only if a  corresponding  amount would be permitted at
the date of  determination  to be dividended  to the Company by such  Subsidiary
without prior  governmental  approval (that has not been obtained),  and without
direct or  indirect  restriction  pursuant  to the terms of its  charter and all
agreements,   instruments,  judgments,  decrees,  orders,  statutes,  rules  and
governmental regulations applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders.

     "Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any period,
the  aggregate  of the Net Income of such Person and its  Subsidiaries  for such
period, on a consolidated  basis,  determined in accordance with GAAP;  provided
that (i) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Subsidiary or
that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting  shall be included only
to the extent of the amount of  dividends or  distributions  paid in cash to the
referent Person or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary thereof; (ii) the Net Income of any
Subsidiary  shall be excluded to the extent that the  declaration  or payment of
dividends or similar  distributions by that Subsidiary of that Net Income is not
at the date of determination  permitted without any prior governmental  approval
(that has not been  obtained) or,  directly or  indirectly,  by operation of the
terms of its charter or any  agreement,  instrument,  judgment,  decree,  order,
statute,  rule or governmental  regulation  applicable to that Subsidiary or its
stockholders;  (iii)  the Net  Income of any  Person  acquired  in a pooling  of
interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition shall
be excluded; and (iv) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles
shall be excluded.

<PAGE>

     "Consolidated  Net Worth" means, with respect to any Person as of any date,
the sum of (i) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such Person
and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries  as of such date  plus  (ii) the  respective
amounts  reported on such Person's balance sheet as of such date with respect to
any series of preferred stock (other than Disqualified  Stock) that by its terms
is not  entitled  to the  payment of  dividends  unless  such  dividends  may be
declared  and  paid  only out of net  earnings  in  respect  of the year of such
declaration  and  payment,  but only to the extent of any cash  received by such
Person upon issuance of such preferred stock, less (x) all write-ups (other than
write-ups resulting from foreign currency translations and write-ups of tangible
assets of a going concern  business made within 12 months after the  acquisition
of such business)  subsequent to the date of this Indenture in the book value of
any asset owned by such Person or a consolidated  Subsidiary of such Person, (y)
all Investments as of such date in  unconsolidated  Subsidiaries  and in Persons
that are not Subsidiaries (except, in each case, Permitted Investments), and (z)
all unamortized debt discount and expense and unamortized deferred charges as of
such date, all of the foregoing determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Continuing  Directors" means, as of any date of determination,  any member
of the Board of  Directors  of the Company or Finlay  Enterprises  who (i) was a
member of such  Board of  Directors  on the date of this  Indenture  or (ii) was
nominated  for election or elected to such Board of Directors  with the approval
of two-thirds of the Continuing  Directors who were members of such Board at the
time of such nomination or election.

     "Corporate  Trust  Office of the  Trustee"  shall be at the  address of the
Trustee  specified in Section 11.02 hereof or such other address as to which the
Trustee may give notice to the Company.

     "Custodian"  means the Trustee,  as custodian  with respect to the Notes in
global form, or any successor entity thereto.

     "Default" means any event that is or with the passage of time or the giving
of notice or both would be an Event of Default.

     "Depositary"  means,  with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole
or in part in global  form,  the Person  specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the
Depositary  with  respect  to the  Notes  and  any and  all  successors  thereto
appointed  as  depositary  hereunder  and having  become  such  pursuant  to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture.

     "Disqualified  Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the
terms  of  any  security  into  which  it is  convertible  or  for  which  it is
exchangeable),  or upon the  happening of any event,  matures or is  mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at
the option of the Holder  thereof,  in whole or in part, on or prior to the date
that is 91 days  after  the date on which the Notes  mature;  provided  that any
Capital  Stock issued to employees,  consultants  or directors of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to a stock option or other compensation plan of
the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall not be deemed to be  Disqualified
Stock solely  because of any  mandatory  repurchase  features  contained in such
plan,  except to the extent that the  repurchase  obligations of the Company and
its  Subsidiaries  in respect thereof exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate since
the date of this Indenture.

<PAGE>


     "Equity  Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants,  options or other
rights to  acquire  Capital  Stock  (but  excluding  any debt  security  that is
convertible into, or exchangeable  for, Capital Stock).  "Equity Offering" means
the sale by Finlay Enterprises and certain selling  stockholders of an aggregate
of  1,800,000  shares of the Common Stock of Finlay  Enterprises  on the date of
this Indenture.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     "Existing   Indebtedness"   means  Indebtedness  of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  (other  than  Indebtedness  under the  Senior  Revolving  Debt) in
existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.

     "Finlay Enterprises" means Finlay Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation
and the sole stockholder of the Company.

     "Fixed  Charge  Coverage  Ratio"  means with  respect to any Person for any
period,  the ratio of the Consolidated  Cash Flow of such Person for such period
to the Fixed  Charges  of such  Person  for such  period.  In the event that the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries  incurs,  assumes,  Guarantees or redeems any
Indebtedness  (other than revolving credit borrowings) or issues preferred stock
subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio is being calculated but prior to the date on which the event for which the
calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the "Calculation Date"),
then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect
to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee or redemption of Indebtedness, or such
issuance or  redemption of preferred  stock,  as if the same had occurred at the
beginning of the applicable  four-quarter  reference  period.  In addition,  for
purposes of making the computation referred to above, (i) acquisitions that have
been made by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries,  including through mergers
or consolidations and including any related financing  transactions,  during the
four-quarter  reference  period or subsequent to such reference period and on or
prior to the Calculation  Date shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day
of the  four-quarter  reference  period  and  Consolidated  Cash  Flow  for such
reference  period shall be calculated  without  giving effect to clause (iii) of
the proviso set forth in the  definition  of  Consolidated  Net Income and shall
reflect  any  pro  forma  expense  and  cost  reductions  attributable  to  such
acquisitions  (to the extent such expense and cost reduction  would be permitted
under Regulation S-X promulgated  pursuant to the Securities Act to be reflected
in pro forma  financial  statements  included in a registration  statement filed
with the  Commission)  and (ii)  the  Consolidated  Cash  Flow  attributable  to
discontinued  operations,  as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations
or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded;  and
(iii) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued  operations,  as determined
in accordance  with GAAP, and operations or businesses  disposed of prior to the
Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations
giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the referent Person
or any of its Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.

     "Fixed Charges" means,  with respect to any Person for any period,  the sum
of (i) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Subsidiaries for

<PAGE>

such  period,   whether  paid  or  accrued   (including,   without   limitation,
amortization of original issue discount and deferred  financing costs,  non-cash
interest payments,  the interest component of any deferred payment  obligations,
the  interest   component  of  all  payments   associated   with  Capital  Lease
Obligations,  imputed interest with respect to Attributable  Debt,  commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges  incurred in respect of letter of credit or
bankers'  acceptance  financings,  and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging
Obligations);  and (ii) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Subsidiaries  that was capitalized  during such period;  and (iii) to the extent
not  included in clause (i),  any interest  expense on  Indebtedness  of another
Person  for  such  period  that  is  Guaranteed  by  such  Person  or one of its
Subsidiaries  or  secured  by a Lien  on  assets  of such  Person  or one of its
Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon); (iv) to the
extent not included in clause (i), any costs, commissions, discounts, other fees
or charges relating to or in respect of any Receivables Subsidiary;  and (v) the
product of (a) all cash dividend payments (and non-cash dividend payments in the
case of a  Person  that is a  Subsidiary)  for  such  period  on any  series  of
preferred stock of such Person, times (b) a fraction,  the numerator of which is
one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal,
state and local statutory tax rate of such Person for such period,  expressed as
a decimal,  in each case, on a consolidated  basis and in accordance  with GAAP;
provided, however, that in no event shall any amortization of deferred financing
costs  incurred in connection  with the Equity  Offering or the  Refinancing  be
included in Fixed Charges.

     "GAAP" means  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  set forth in the
opinions and  pronouncements of the Accounting  Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public  Accountants and statements and  pronouncements of
the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board or in such other  statements by such
other entity as have been  approved by a significant  segment of the  accounting
profession,  which  are in  effect  on the  date  of this  Indenture,  provided,
however,  that all  reports  and other  financial  information  provided  by the
Company to the  Holders,  the  Trustee  and/or  Commission  shall be prepared in
connection  with GAAP, as in effect on the day of such report or other financial
information.

     "Gold Consignment Agreement" means the Gold Consignment Agreement, dated as
of June 15, 1995, by and between Finlay Jewelry and Rhode Island  Hospital Trust
National Bank, including any related notes,  guarantees,  collateral  documents,
instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as
amended,  modified,  restated,  renewed,  supplemented,  refunded,  replaced  or
refinanced from time to time.

     "Government   Securities"  means  direct  obligations  of,  or  obligations
guaranteed  by, the United States of America for the payment of which  guarantee
or obligations the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged.

     "Guarantee"  means a guarantee  (other than by  endorsement  of  negotiable
instruments  for  collection  in the  ordinary  course of  business),  direct or
indirect,  in any manner (including,  without limitation,  letters of credit and
reimbursement  agreements  in  respect  thereof),  of  all or  any  part  of any
Indebtedness.

     "Guarantors" means each direct and indirect  Subsidiary of the Company that
executes a  Subsidiary  Guarantee  in  accordance  with the  provisions  of this
Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns.

<PAGE>

     "Hedging  Obligation" means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of
such Person under (i) interest rate swap  agreements,  currency swap agreements,
interest rate cap  agreements  and interest rate collar  agreements,  (ii) other
agreements or arrangements  designed to protect such Person against fluctuations
in interest  rates and foreign  exchange  rates and (iii) precious metal options
and futures contracts and other precious metal hedging obligations.

     "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

     "Indebtedness"  means, with respect to any Person, any indebtedness of such
Person, whether or not contingent,  in respect of borrowed money or evidenced by
bonds,  notes,  debentures  or  similar  instruments  or  letters  of credit (or
reimbursement   agreements  in  respect  thereof)  or  banker's  acceptances  or
representing Capital Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of the
purchase price of any property or representing any Hedging  Obligations,  except
any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, if and to
the extent any of the foregoing  indebtedness  (other than letters of credit and
Hedging  Obligations)  would appear as a liability  upon a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as, to the extent not otherwise
included,  all  indebtedness  of others  secured  by a Lien on any asset of such
Person (whether or not such  indebtedness is assumed by such Person) and, to the
extent not otherwise included,  the Guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness
of any other Person.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the term  "Indebtedness"
shall not  include up to $3.0  million at any one time  outstanding  of deferred
compensation  arrangements that are not evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or
similar instruments.  The amount of any Indebtedness  outstanding as of any date
shall be (i) the accreted value thereof,  in the case of any  Indebtedness  that
does not  require  current  payments  of  interest,  (ii) the  principal  amount
thereof,  together with any interest  thereon that is more than 30 days past due
in the case of any other  Indebtedness and (iii) for purposes of calculating the
amount  of  Indebtedness  of  any  Receivables  Subsidiaries,   the  Receivables
Financing Amount relating thereto.

     "Investments"  means,  with respect to any Person,  all investments by such
Person  in other  Persons  (including  Affiliates)  in the  forms of  direct  or
indirect loans  (including  guarantees of  Indebtedness  or other  obligations),
advances  or capital  contributions  (excluding  commission,  travel and similar
advances to officers and  employees  made in the ordinary  course of  business),
purchases  or other  acquisitions  for  consideration  of  Indebtedness,  Equity
Interests or other securities of such other Persons,  together with all items of
such other Persons that are or would be classified as  investments  on a balance
sheet prepared in accordance  with GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company  sells or  otherwise  disposes  of any Equity  Interest of any direct or
indirect  Subsidiary  of the Company such that,  after giving effect to any such
sale or disposition,  such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company,  the
Company  shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale
or  disposition  equal to the fair market value of the Equity  Interests of such
Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

     "Lien"  means,  with  respect to any asset,  any  mortgage,  lien,  pledge,
charge,  security  interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed,  recorded or  otherwise  perfected  under  applicable  law
(including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature  thereof,  any option or other  agreement  to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under
the Uniform  Commercial  Code (or  equivalent  statutes)  of any  jurisdiction);
provided,  however,  that licenses of  intellectual  property or similar  assets

<PAGE>

granted  pursuant to and in compliance with (i) the  provisions of Section 10.07
hereof or (ii) the applicable provisions of the Senior Debenture Indenture shall
not be deemed to be Liens.

     "Net Income"  means,  with respect to any Person,  the net income (loss) of
such Person,  determined  in  accordance  with GAAP and before any  reduction in
respect of preferred stock dividends,  excluding, however, (i) any gain (but not
loss),  together  with any  related  provision  for  taxes on such gain (but not
loss),  realized  in  connection  with (a) any Asset  Sale  (including,  without
limitation, dispositions pursuant to sale and leaseback transactions) or (b) the
disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its  Subsidiaries  or the
extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries and
(ii) any  extraordinary or nonrecurring  gain (but not loss),  together with any
related provision for taxes on such  extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not
loss).

     "Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or
any of its  Subsidiaries  in  respect  of any  Asset  Sale  (including,  without
limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash
consideration  received in any Asset Sale),  net of the direct costs relating to
such  Asset  Sales  (including,   without  limitation,   legal,  accounting  and
investment  banking fees, and sales  commissions)  and any  relocation  expenses
incurred as a result  thereof,  taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after
taking into account any available tax credits or deductions  and any tax sharing
arrangements),  amounts  required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness
(other than Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement) secured by a Lien
on the asset or assets  that were the subject of such Asset Sale and any reserve
for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets  established
in accordance with GAAP.

     "Non-Recourse  Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary with respect to
its own  Indebtedness)  (a) provides  credit support of any kind  (including any
undertaking,  agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b)
is directly or  indirectly  liable (as a guarantor  or  otherwise);  and (ii) no
default with respect to which would permit (upon notice,  lapse of time or both)
any holder of any other  Indebtedness of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
to declare a default on such other  Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to
be  accelerated or payable prior to its Stated  Maturity;  and (iii) as to which
the lenders  have been  notified in writing that they will not have any recourse
to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other than a
Receivables  Subsidiary  with respect to its own  Indebtedness);  provided that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and any of its Subsidiaries that sell
Receivables  to the  Person  incurring  such  Indebtedness  shall be  allowed to
provide such  representations,  warranties,  covenants  and  indemnities  as are
customarily  required in such  transactions so long as no such  representations,
warranties,  covenants  or  indemnities  constitute  a  Guarantee  of payment or
recourse against credit losses.

     "Obligations"   means   any   principal,    interest,    penalties,   fees,
indemnifications,  reimbursements,  damages and other liabilities  payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

<PAGE>

     "Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the
Chief Executive Officer,  the President,  the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief
Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer,  the Controller,  the
Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company
by two  Officers of the  Company,  one of whom must be the  principal  executive
officer,  the  principal  financial  officer,  the  treasurer  or the  principal
accounting officer of the Company,  that meets the requirements of Section 11.05
hereof.

     "Old Debentures" means Finlay  Enterprises' 12% Senior Discount  Debentures
due 2005.

     "Old Notes" means the Company's 105/8% Senior Notes due 2003.
 
     "Opinion of Counsel"  means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee,  that meets the requirements of Section 11.05 hereof.
The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company,  any  Subsidiary of
the Company or the Trustee.

     "Permitted  Investments"  means (a) any  Investment  in the Company or in a
Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  of the Company  that is evidenced by Capital  Stock or
Subsidiary  Intercompany Notes; (b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;  (c) any
Investment  by the Company or any  Subsidiary of the Company in a Person that is
evidenced by Capital  Stock or Subsidiary  Intercompany  Notes if as a result of
such Investment (i) such Person becomes a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company
and a Guarantor or (ii) such Person is merged,  consolidated or amalgamated with
or into,  or  transfers  or  conveys  substantially  all of its assets to, or is
liquidated into, the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company that is
a Guarantor;  (d) any capital contribution  (including any transaction deemed to
be a capital  contribution in accordance with GAAP) by the Company to any of its
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; (e) any Restricted Investment made as a result of the
receipt of non-cash  consideration  from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to
and in compliance  with the  provisions of Section 4.10 hereof;  (f) advances to
vendors in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past practices;  (g)
any Investment existing on the date of this Indenture; (h) loans and relocation,
travel and similar  advances  to  employees  and  officers of the Company or its
Subsidiaries  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  for  bona-fide   purposes
reasonably  related to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries,  not in
excess  of  $5.0  million  at any one  time  outstanding;  (i) any  acquisition,
redemption or repurchase of Senior  Debentures or the Notes; (j) any Investments
relating to a Receivables Subsidiary,  provided that any Investment in an entity
that  ceases  to be a  Receivables  Subsidiary  shall  cease  to be a  Permitted
Investment  by virtue of this  clause  and shall be deemed to  constitute  a new
Investment as of the date of such  cessation;  and (k) other  Investments in any
Person  having an aggregate  fair market  value  (measured on the date each such
Investment was made and without  giving effect to subsequent  changes in value),
when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (k),
not to exceed $10.0 million at any time outstanding.

     "Permitted  Liens" means (i) Liens securing the Senior  Revolving Debt that
were  permitted by the terms of this  Indenture  to be  incurred;  (ii) Liens in
favor of the Company;  (iii) Liens on property of a Person  existing at the time
such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of
the  Company;   provided  that  such  Liens  were  in  existence  prior  to  the

<PAGE>

contemplation  of such merger or  consolidation  and do not extend to any assets
other than those of the Person  merged into or  consolidated  with the  Company;
(iv)  Liens on  property  existing  at the time of  acquisition  thereof  by the
Company  or any  Subsidiary  of the  Company,  provided  that such liens were in
existence prior to the  contemplation of such  acquisition;  (v) Liens to secure
the performance of statutory  obligations,  surety or appeal bonds,  performance
bonds,   landlords',   carriers',   warehousemen's,    mechanics',   suppliers',
materialmen's  or other like Liens incurred in the ordinary  course of business;
(vi)  Liens  to  secure  Indebtedness   (including  Capital  Lease  Obligations)
permitted by Section  4.09(b)(vi)  hereof covering only the assets acquired with
such Indebtedness); (vii) Liens on Consignment Inventory; (viii) Liens under the
Gold Consignment  Agreement;  (ix) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture;
(x) Liens for taxes,  assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not
yet  delinquent  or that  are  being  contested  in good  faith  by  appropriate
proceedings  promptly  instituted  and diligently  concluded,  provided that any
reserve or other  appropriate  provision as shall be required in conformity with
GAAP shall have been made therefor;  (xi) Liens incurred in the ordinary  course
of business  of the Company or any  Subsidiary  of the Company  with  respect to
obligations that do not exceed $5.0 million at any one time outstanding and that
(a) are not incurred in connection  with the borrowing of money or the obtaining
of  advances  or credit  (other  than  trade  credit in the  ordinary  course of
business) and (b) do not in the aggregate  materially  detract from the value of
the property or  materially  impair the use thereof in the operation of business
by  the  Company  or  such  Subsidiary;   (xii)  Liens  securing  Capital  Lease
Obligations and purchase money Indebtedness  incurred in accordance with clauses
(vi) and (vii),  respectively,  of the definition of Permitted  Debt;  provided,
however that in the case of purchase  money  Indebtedness  (a) the  Indebtedness
shall  not  exceed  the  cost of such  property  or  assets  being  acquired  or
constructed and shall not be secured by any property or assets of the Company or
any  Subsidiary of the Company other than the property and assets being acquired
or  constructed  and (b) the Lien  securing such  Indebtedness  shall be created
within 30 days of such  acquisition  or  construction;  (xiii) Liens  granted to
lessors or  licensors in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice  with respect to fixtures and  equipment at store  locations  leased or
licensed  from such lessors or  licensors;  (xiv) Liens  securing any  Permitted
Refinancing  Indebtedness  to  the  extent  the  Indebtedness  being  exchanged,
extended,   renewed,  replaced  or  refunded  (and  such  Permitted  Refinancing
Indebtedness)  was  permitted  to  be  so  secured;  (xv)  zoning  restrictions,
easements,  rights of way, licenses and restrictions on the use of real property
or minor irregularities in title thereto, which do not materially impair the use
of such  property in the normal  operation of the business of the Company or any
of its  Subsidiaries  or the  value of such  property  for the  purpose  of such
business;  (xvi)  Liens for  judgments,  attachments,  seizures or levies not to
exceed  $500,000 in the aggregate  outstanding  at any time; and (xvii) Liens on
Receivables   transferred  to  a  Receivables  Subsidiary  or  on  assets  of  a
Receivables Subsidiary.

     "Permitted Refinancing  Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries  issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are used  within 60 days after the  incurrence  thereof  to  extend,  refinance,
renew,  replace,  defease or refund, other Indebtedness of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries  that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred;  provided
that:  (i) the  principal  amount (or accreted  value,  if  applicable)  of such
Permitted  Refinancing  Indebtedness  does not exceed the  principal  amount (or
accreted  value,  if applicable) of the  Indebtedness  so extended,  refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses,
premiums,   penalties,   consent  fees  and  interest   incurred  in  connection

<PAGE>

therewith);  (ii) such Permitted  Refinancing  Indebtedness has a final maturity
date later than the final  maturity date of, and has a Weighted  Average Life to
Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted  Average Life to Maturity of, the
Indebtedness  being  extended,   refinanced,   renewed,  replaced,  defeased  or
refunded;  (iii)  if  the  Indebtedness  being  extended,  refinanced,  renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes,
such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the
final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on
terms at least as  favorable  to the Holders of Notes as those  contained in the
documentation  governing the Indebtedness being extended,  refinanced,  renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded; (iv) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the
Company  or by the  Subsidiary  of the  Company  which  is  the  obligor  on the
Indebtedness  being  extended,   refinanced,   renewed,  replaced,  defeased  or
refunded;  and (v) such Permitted Refinancing  Indebtedness shall be secured (if
secured) in a manner no more adverse (including,  without limitation,  by way of
any increase in the amount of Indebtedness  secured) to the holders of the Notes
than the terms of the Liens (if any) securing such refinanced Indebtedness.

     "Person"  means  a  natural  person,  partnership,   corporation,   limited
liability company,  unincorporated  organization,  trust or joint venture,  or a
governmental agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Principals"  means David B.  Cornstein,  Arthur E. Reiner,  Thomas H. Lee,
Thomas  H.  Lee  Capital  LLC,  employees  of  Thomas  H.  Lee  Capital  LLC and
Equity-Linked Investors-II.

     "Public Equity  Offering" means an underwritten  public offering of Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of Finlay Enterprises registered under the
Securities  Act (other than a public  offering  registered on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act) after the date of this Indenture that results in net proceeds of
at least $10.0 million to Finlay Enterprises.

     "Qualified  Proceeds"  means any of the following or any combination of the
following:  (i) assets (other than cash or Cash  Equivalents)  or inventory that
are used or useable  in the  business  engaged  in by the  Company or any of its
Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture (or in a business  reasonably related
thereto)  or (ii) the Equity  Interests  of any Person  engaged  primarily  in a
business  similar to that of the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  as of the
date of this Indenture, if, in connection with the receipt by the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company of such Equity  Interests,  (a) such Person  becomes a
Wholly  Owned   Subsidiary  of  the  Company  or  (b)  such  Person  is  merged,
consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys  substantially
all of its assets to, or is  liquidated  into,  the Company or any Wholly  Owned
Subsidiary of the Company.

     "Receivables"   means,   collectively,   (a)  the  Indebtedness  and  other
obligations owed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (before giving effect
to any sale or transfer  thereof  pursuant to a Receivables  Facility),  whether
constituting  an account,  chattel paper,  an instrument,  a document or general
intangible,  arising in connection with the sale of goods and/or services by the
Company  or such  Subsidiary,  including  the  obligation  to pay any late fees,
interest or other finance  charges with respect  thereto (each of the foregoing,
collectively,  an  "Account  Receivable"),  (b)  all of the  Company's  or  such
Subsidiary's  interest in the goods (including returned goods), if any, the sale
of which gave rise to any Account  Receivable,  and all insurance contracts with
respect thereto,  (c) all other security interests or Liens and property subject
thereto from time to time, if any,  purporting to secure  payment of any Account
Receivable,  together  with all  financing  statements  and security  agreements
describing any collateral securing such Account Receivable,  (d) all Guarantees,
insurance and other  agreements or arrangements of whatever  character from time
to time  supporting  or  securing  payment of any  Account  Receivable,  (e) all
contracts,  invoices,  books and  records  of any kind  related  to any  Account
Receivable, (f) all cash collections in respect of, and cash proceeds of, any of
the foregoing and any and all lockboxes, lockbox accounts,  collection accounts,

<PAGE>

concentration  accounts and similar  accounts in or into which such  collections
and cash proceeds are now or hereafter deposited, collected or concentrated, and
(g) all proceeds of any of the foregoing.  "Receivables  Facility"  means,  with
respect to any Person,  any  Receivables  securitization  or  factoring  program
pursuant to which such Person receives  proceeds  pursuant to a sale,  pledge or
other encumbrance of its Receivables.

     "Receivables  Financing  Amount"  means at any date,  with  respect  to any
Receivables  Facility of any Person,  the sum on such date of (a) the  aggregate
uncollected  balances of Accounts  Receivable  (as defined in the  definition of
"Receivables")  transferred  ("Transferred  Receivables")  in  such  Receivables
Facility  plus  (b) the  aggregate  amount  of all  collections  of  Transferred
Receivables  theretofore  received  by such  Person but not yet  remitted to the
purchaser,  net of all reserves and holdbacks  retained by or for the benefit of
the  purchaser  and net of any interest  retained by such Person and  reasonable
costs and expenses  (including  fees and commissions and taxes other than income
taxes)  incurred by such Person in  connection  therewith and not payable to any
Affiliate of such Person.

     "Receivables   Subsidiary"  means  any  Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary   created
primarily  to  purchase  or finance the  Receivables  of the Company  and/or its
Subsidiaries  pursuant  to a  Receivables  Facility,  so long as it:  (a) has no
Indebtedness  other than  Non-Recourse  Debt and (b) is a Person with respect to
which  neither  the  Company  nor any of its other  Subsidiaries  has any direct
obligation to maintain or preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause
such Person to achieve any specified  levels of operating  results other than to
act as servicer of  Receivables.  If, at any time, such  Receivables  Subsidiary
would fail to meet the foregoing  requirements as a Receivables  Subsidiary,  it
shall  thereafter  cease to be a  Receivables  Subsidiary  for  purposes of this
Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Receivables Subsidiary shall be deemed to
be  incurred  by a  Subsidiary  of the  Company  as of such date  (and,  if such
Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under provisions of
Section 4.09 hereof, the Company shall be in default of such covenant).

     "Refinancing"  means (i) the offering by Finlay  Enterprises  of the Senior
Debentures,  (ii) the  offering  by  Finlay  Jewelry  of the  Notes,  (iii)  the
repurchase or redemption of the Old Debentures by Finlay  Enterprises;  (iv) the
repurchase or redemption of the Old Notes by Finlay  Jewelry,  (v) the repayment
of the  original  issue  discount on the Old  Debentures,  and (vi) the proposed
amendment  of the  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  to increase  the line of credit
thereunder to $275.0 million and to make certain other changes.

     "Related  Parties"  with  respect to any  Principal  means any  controlling
stockholder,  80% (or more)  owned  Subsidiary,  or spouse or  immediate  family
member (in the case of an individual) of such Principal or a trust, corporation,
partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries,  stockholders,  partners, owners
or Persons  beneficially  holding an 80% or more  controlling  interest of which
consist  of  such  Principal  and/or  such  other  Persons  referred  to in  the
immediately preceding clause.

<PAGE>

     "Responsible  Officer",  when used with respect to the  Trustee,  means any
officer  within  the  Corporate  Trust  Administration  of the  Trustee  (or any
successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee  customarily
performing  functions  similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means,  with respect to a particular  corporate  trust matter,
any  other  officer  to whom  such  matter  is  referred  because  of his or her
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

     "Restricted   Investment"  means  an  Investment  other  than  a  Permitted
Investment.

     "Revolving   Credit  Agreement"  means  the  Amended  and  Restated  Credit
Agreement,  dated as of  September  11, 1997,  among  Finlay  Jewelry and Finlay
Enterprises,  as Borrowers (as defined  therein),  and General  Electric Capital
Corporation,  as Agent (as defined therein) and Lender (as defined therein), and
the other Lenders named  therein,  providing  for revolving  credit  borrowings,
including any related notes, guarantees,  collateral documents,  instruments and
agreements  executed  in  connection  therewith,  and in each  case as  amended,
modified, restated, renewed, supplemented, refunded, replaced or refinanced from
time to time.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     "Security and Pledge  Agreement"  means the Security and Pledge  Agreement,
dated the date hereof,  by and between  Finlay  Enterprises  and Marine  Midland
Bank, as Collateral Agent.

     "Senior  Debentures"  means Finlay  Enterprises'  9% Senior  Debentures due
May 1, 2008.

     "Senior Debenture Indenture" means the indenture, dated the date hereof, by
and between Finlay Enterprises and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee,  relating to
the Senior Debentures.

     "Senior  Revolving  Debt"  means  revolving  credit  borrowings  under  the
Revolving Credit Agreement and revolving consignments under the Gold Consignment
Agreement  and,  if any, a  substantially  similar  gold  consignment  agreement
pursuant to Section 4.09(b)(iv)(y)(b) hereof.

     "Significant  Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary"  as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation  S-X,  promulgated
pursuant  to the  Securities  Act, as such  Regulation  is in effect on the date
hereof.

     "Stated  Maturity"  means,  with respect to any  installment of interest or
principal  on any  series of  Indebtedness,  the date on which  such  payment of
interest or principal  was  scheduled  to be paid in the original  documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to
repay,  redeem or repurchase  any such  interest or principal  prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

     "Subsidiary"  means,  with  respect  to any  Person,  (i) any  corporation,
association or other business  entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of share of Capital Stock  entitled  (without  regard to the occurrence of
any  contingency)  to vote in the  election of  directors,  managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or  controlled,  directly  or  indirectly,  by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
thereof) and (ii) any  partnership  (a) the sole general partner or the managing

<PAGE>

general  partner of which is such Person or a  Subsidiary  of such Person or (b)
the  only  general  partners  of  which  are  such  Person  or of  one  or  more
Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).

     "Subsidiary  Intercompany Notes" means the intercompany notes,  subordinate
(in  accordance  with the terms of this  Indenture)  in right of  payment to all
existing  Indebtedness of the issuer (other than Indebtedness which by its terms
is subordinate in right of payment to other Indebtedness of such issuer), issued
by the  Company or a  Subsidiary  of the  Company  in favor of the  Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company to evidence advances by the Company or a Subsidiary of
the Company, in each case, in the form attached as Exhibit E to this Indenture.

     "Tax Allocation Agreement" means the Tax Allocation Agreement,  dated as of
November 1, 1992, between the Company and Finlay Enterprises.

     "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. SS 77aaa-77bbbb), as
in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA.

     "Trustee" means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it
in accordance  with the  applicable  provisions of this Indenture and thereafter
means the successor serving hereunder.

     "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any Indebtedness
at any  date,  the  number  of years  obtained  by  dividing  (i) the sum of the
products  obtained  by  multiplying  (a)  the  amount  of  each  then  remaining
installment,  sinking  fund,  serial  maturity  or other  required  payments  of
principal,  including payment at final maturity,  in respect thereof, by (b) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between
such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding principal
amount of such Indebtedness.

     "Wholly Owned  Subsidiary"  of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person
all of the  outstanding  Capital  Stock or other  ownership  interests  of which
(other than  directors'  qualifying  shares)  shall at the time be owned by such
Person or by one or more  Wholly  Owned  Subsidiaries  of such Person and one or
more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

SECTION 1.02. OTHER DEFINITIONS.

                                                                     Defined in
                           Term                                        Section

        "Affiliate Transaction" ..........................................4.12
        "Asset Sale Offer"................................................3.09
        "Authentication Order" ...........................................2.02
        "Change of Control Offer" ........................................4.15
        "Change of Control Payment" ......................................4.15
        "Change of Control Payment Date" .................................4.15
        "Commission" .....................................................4.03
        "Covenant Defeasance" ............................................8.03
        "Definitive Note" ................................................2.01

<PAGE>

        "Event of Default" ...............................................6.01
        "Excess Proceeds" ................................................4.10
        "Global Note" ....................................................2.01
        "incur" ..........................................................4.09
        "Legal Defeasance" ...............................................8.02
        "Offer Amount"....................................................3.09
        "Offer Period" ...................................................3.09
        "Paying Agent" ...................................................2.03
        "Payment Default" ................................................6.01
        "Permitted Debt"..................................................4.09
        "Purchase Date" ..................................................3.09
        "Registrar" ......................................................2.03
        "Restricted Payments".............................................4.07

SECTION 1.03. TERMS OF TIA.

     Whenever this Indenture  refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

     The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

     "indenture securities" means the Notes;

     "indenture security Holder" means a Holder of a Note;

     "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;

     "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and

     "obligor" on the Notes and the  Subsidiary  Guarantees,  if any,  means the
Company and the  Guarantors,  respectively,  and any successor  obligor upon the
Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, respectively.

     All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined
by TIA reference to another  statute or defined by Commission rule under the TIA
have the meanings so assigned to them.

SECTION 1.04. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

     Unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

     (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it
         in accordance with GAAP;

<PAGE>

     (3) "or" is not exclusive;

     (4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the
         singular;

     (5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

     (6) references to  sections of or rules under the  Securities  Act shall be
         deemed to  include   substitute,   replacement of successor sections or
         rules adopted by the Commission from time to time; and

     (7) words  implying  the  feminine or  masculine  gender shall be deemed to
         include all genders.


                                   ARTICLE 2
                                    THE NOTES

SECTION 2.01 FORM AND DATING.

     (a) General.  The Notes and the  Trustee's  certificate  of  authentication
shall be  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  A  hereto.  The Notes may have
notations,  legends or  endorsements  required by law,  stock  exchange  rule or
usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.  The Notes shall
be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

     The terms and provisions  contained in the Notes shall constitute,  and are
hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee,
by their execution and delivery of this Indenture,  and each Guarantor (if any),
by its execution and delivery of its Subsidiary  Guarantee,  expressly  agree to
such terms and provisions and to be bound  thereby.  However,  to the extent any
provision of any Note conflicts with the express  provisions of this  Indenture,
the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

     (b) Global Notes.  Notes issued in global form (each a "Global Note") shall
be  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  A  attached  hereto  (including  the
"Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto). Notes
issued in definitive form (each a "Definitive  Note") shall be  substantially in
the form,  if any, of Exhibit A attached  hereto (but  without the  "Schedule of
Exchanges of Interests in Global Note" attached thereto). Each Global Note shall
represent such of the outstanding  Notes as shall be specified  therein and each
shall  provide  that it  shall  represent  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of
outstanding  Notes from time to time  endorsed  thereon  and that the  aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Notes represented  thereby may from time to time
be reduced or increased,  as appropriate,  to reflect exchanges and redemptions.
Any  endorsement  of a Global  Note to  reflect  the amount of any  increase  or
decrease in the aggregate  principal  amount of  outstanding  Notes  represented
thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the  Custodian,  at the direction of the
Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required
by Section 2.06 hereof.

<PAGE>

SECTION 2.02. EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.

     An  Officer  shall sign the Notes for the  Company  by manual or  facsimile
signature.  The  Company's  seal shall be  reproduced on the Notes and may be in
facsimile form.

     If an Officer  whose  signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at
the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

     A Note shall not be valid until  authenticated  by the manual  signature of
the Trustee.  The signature shall be conclusive  evidence that the Note has been
authenticated under this Indenture.

     The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by an Officer
(an  "Authentication  Order"),  authenticate  Notes for original issue up to the
aggregate  principal  amount  stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes.  The aggregate
principal  amount of Notes  outstanding  at any time may not exceed  such amount
except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

     The Trustee may appoint an  authenticating  agent acceptable to the Company
to authenticate  Notes. An authenticating  agent may authenticate Notes whenever
the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the
Trustee includes  authentication by such agent. An authenticating  agent has the
same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

SECTION 2.03. REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.

     The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented
for  registration  of transfer or for  exchange  ("Registrar")  and an office or
agency where Notes may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent").  The Registrar
shall keep a  register  of the Notes and of their  transfer  and  exchange.  The
Company may appoint one or more  co-registrars and one or more additional paying
agents.  The term  "Registrar"  includes any  co-registrar  and the term "Paying
Agent" includes any additional  paying agent.  The Company may change any Paying
Agent or Registrar  without  notice to any Holder.  The Company shall notify the
Trustee  in  writing  of the name and  address  of any Agent not a party to this
Indenture.  If the  Company  fails to  appoint  or  maintain  another  entity as
Registrar or Paying  Agent,  the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled
to appropriate  compensation in accordance with Section 7.7 hereof.  The Company
or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

     The Company  initially  appoints  the  Depository  Trust  Company to act as
Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

     The Company  initially  appoints  the Trustee to act as the  Registrar  and
Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

SECTION 2.04. PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.

     The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree
in writing  that the Paying  Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders

<PAGE>

or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of  principal,
premium,  if any, or  interest on the Notes,  and will notify the Trustee of any
default  by the  Company  in making  any such  payment.  While any such  default
continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to
the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money
held by it to the Trustee.  Upon  payment over to the Trustee,  the Paying Agent
(if other than the Company or a Subsidiary)  shall have no further liability for
the  money.  If the  Company  or a  Subsidiary  acts as Paying  Agent,  it shall
segregate  and hold in a separate  trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all
money  held  by it as  Paying  Agent.  Upon  any  bankruptcy  or  reorganization
proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for
the Notes.

SECTION 2.05. HOLDER LISTS.

     The  Trustee  shall  preserve  in  as  current  a  form  as  is  reasonably
practicable  the most recent list  available to it of the names and addresses of
all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA S 312(a).  If the Trustee is not
the Registrar,  the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business
Days before each  interest  payment  date and at such other times as the Trustee
may request in  writing,  a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee
may  reasonably  require of the names and  addresses of the Holders of Notes and
the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA S 312(a).

SECTION 2.06. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.

     (a)  Transfer  and  Exchange  of  Global  Notes.  A Global  Note may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the  Depositary,
by a nominee of the  Depositary to the  Depositary or to another  nominee of the
Depositary,  or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor  Depositary
or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by
the Company  for  Definitive  Notes if (i) the  Company  delivers to the Trustee
notice from the Depositary  that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as
Depositary  or that it is no  longer a  clearing  agency  registered  under  the
Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the
Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary,  (ii)
the Company in its sole  discretion  determines  that the Global Notes (in whole
but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written
notice to such effect to the Trustee,  or (iii) there shall have occurred and be
continuing  an Event of Default.  Upon the  occurrence  of any of the  preceding
events in (i),  (ii) or (iii)  above,  Definitive  Notes shall be issued in such
names as the  Depositary  shall  instruct the Trustee.  Global Notes also may be
exchanged or  replaced,  in whole or in part,  as provided in Sections  2.07 and
2.10 hereof. Except as set forth in the second sentence of this Section 2.06(a),
every Note  authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global
Note or any portion  thereof,  pursuant to this  Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or
2.10 hereof,  shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be,
a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as
provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note
may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b) hereof.

     (b) Transfer  and Exchange of  Beneficial  Interests in Global  Notes.  The
transfer and exchange of beneficial  interests in Global Notes shall be effected
through the Depositary,  in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and

<PAGE>

the Applicable  Procedures.  No written orders or instructions shall be required
to be  delivered  to the  Registrar  to effect the  transfers  described in this
Section 2.06(b).

     (c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial  Interests for Definitive Notes. Any
contrary provision hereof  notwithstanding,  no Definitive Notes shall be issued
or  exchanged  for  beneficial  interests  in any Global  Note  except  upon the
satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in Section  2.06(a)(i),  (ii) or (iii)
hereof.
 
     (d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive  Notes for Definitive  Notes.  Upon
request by a Holder of Definitive  Notes and such Holder's  compliance  with the
provisions of this Section 2.06(d), the Registrar shall register the transfer or
exchange  of  Definitive  Notes.  Prior  to such  registration  of  transfer  or
exchange,  the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the
Definitive  Notes duly  endorsed  or  accompanied  by a written  instruction  of
transfer in form  satisfactory  to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or
by his or her attorney, duly authorized in writing. Upon receipt of a request to
register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Notes pursuant to the
instructions from the Holder thereof.

     (e)  Cancellation  and/or  Adjustment of Global Notes.  At such time as all
beneficial  interests  in a  particular  Global  Note  have been  exchanged  for
Definitive Notes or a particular  Global Note has been redeemed,  repurchased or
cancelled  in whole and not in part,  each such Global Note shall be returned to
or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.
At any time prior to such cancellation,  if any beneficial  interest in a Global
Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery  thereof
in the form of a beneficial  interest in another  Global Note or for  Definitive
Notes,  the principal  amount of Notes  represented by such Global Note shall be
reduced  accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the
Trustee or by the  Depositary  at the  direction  of the Trustee to reflect such
reduction.

     (f) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

     (i) To permit  registrations of transfers and exchanges,  the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall  authenticate  Global Notes and  Definitive  Notes
upon the Company's order or at the Registrar's request.

     (ii) No service  charge shall be made to an owner of a beneficial  interest
in a Global Note or to a Holder of a  Definitive  Note for any  registration  of
transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any  transfer tax or similar  governmental  charge  payable in  connection
therewith  (other than any such transfer  taxes or similar  governmental  charge
payable  upon  exchange or transfer  pursuant  to Sections  2.10,  3.06 and 9.05
hereof).

     (iii) The  Registrar  shall not be required to register  the transfer of or
exchange  any Note  selected  for  redemption  in whole or in part,  except  the
unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

     (iv) All Global Notes and Definitive  Notes issued upon any registration of
transfer  or  exchange of Global  Notes or  Definitive  Notes shall be the valid
obligations  of the Company,  evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same

<PAGE>

benefits  under  this  Indenture,  as  the  Global  Notes  or  Definitive  Notes
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     (v) The  Company  shall not be  required  (A) to  issue,  to  register  the
transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for  redemption  under
Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection,
(B) to  register  the  transfer  of or to  exchange  any  Note so  selected  for
redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed  portion of any Note being
redeemed  in part or (C) to  register  the  transfer  of or to  exchange  a Note
between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

     (vi) Prior to due  presentment  for the  registration  of a transfer of any
Note,  the  Trustee,  any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in
whose name any Note is  registered  as the  absolute  owner of such Note for the
purpose of receiving  payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for
all other purposes,  and none of the Trustee,  any Agent or the Company shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

     (vii) The Trustee shall  authenticate  Global Notes and Definitive Notes in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

SECTION 2.07. REPLACEMENT NOTES.

     If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or the Company and the
Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft
of any Note,  the  Company  shall  issue and the  Trustee,  upon  receipt  of an
Authentication  Order,  shall  authenticate a replacement  Note if the Trustee's
requirements  are met. If required by the Trustee or the  Company,  an indemnity
bond must be supplied by the Holder that is  sufficient  in the  judgment of the
Trustee and the Company to protect the Company,  the Trustee,  any Agent and any
authenticating  agent  from any loss  that any of them may  suffer  if a Note is
replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

     Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and shall
be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately
with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

SECTION 2.08. OUTSTANDING NOTES.

     The Notes  outstanding at any time are all the Notes  authenticated  by the
Trustee  except  for  those   cancelled  by  it,  those   delivered  to  it  for
cancellation,  those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the
Trustee in accordance  with the provisions  hereof,  and those described in this
Section as not  outstanding.  Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note
does not cease to be  outstanding  because  the Company or an  Affiliate  of the
Company  holds the Note;  however,  Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of
the  Company  shall not be deemed to be  outstanding  for  purposes  of  Section
3.07(b) hereof.

<PAGE>

     If a Note is replaced  pursuant  to Section  2.07  hereof,  it ceases to be
outstanding  unless  the  Trustee  receives  proof  satisfactory  to it that the
replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

     If the principal  amount of any Note is considered  paid under Section 4.01
hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

     If the Paying Agent (other than the Company,  a Subsidiary  or an Affiliate
of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date,  money  sufficient
to pay Notes payable on that date,  then on and after that date such Notes shall
be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

SECTION 2.09. TREASURY NOTES.

     In  determining  whether the Holders of the  required  principal  amount of
Notes have  concurred in any  direction,  waiver or consent,  Notes owned by the
Company,  or by any Affiliate of the Company,  shall be considered as though not
outstanding,  except that for the  purposes of  determining  whether the Trustee
shall be protected  in relying on any such  direction,  waiver or consent,  only
Notes  that  the  Trustee   knows  are  so  owned   shall  be  so   disregarded.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that are to be acquired by the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company pursuant to an exchange
offer,  tender offer or other  agreement  shall not be deemed to be owned by the
Company,  such  Subsidiary  of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company  until
legal title to such Notes passes to the Company or such Subsidiary or Affiliate,
as the case may be.

SECTION 2.10. TEMPORARY NOTES.

     Until certificates  representing Notes are ready for delivery,  the Company
may prepare and the Trustee,  upon  receipt of an  Authentication  Order,  shall
authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form
of  certificated  Notes  but may  have  variations  that the  Company  considers
appropriate  for temporary  Notes and as shall be  reasonably  acceptable to the
Trustee.  Without  unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee
shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

     Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this
Indenture.

SECTION 2.11. CANCELLATION.

     The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for  cancellation.
The  Registrar  and  Paying  Agent  shall  forward  to  the  Trustee  any  Notes
surrendered  to them for  registration  of  transfer,  exchange or payment.  The
Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes  surrendered for  registration of
transfer,  exchange,  payment,  replacement  or  cancellation  and shall destroy
cancelled  Notes  (subject to the record  retention  requirement of the Exchange
Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered
to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has
paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

<PAGE>

SECTION 2.12. DEFAULTED INTEREST.

     If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay
the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest
payable  on the  defaulted  interest,  to  the  Persons  who  are  Holders  on a
subsequent  special  record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes
and in Section 4.01 hereof.  The Company  shall notify the Trustee in writing of
the amount of defaulted  interest  proposed to be paid on each Note and the date
of the proposed  payment.  The Company  shall fix or cause to be fixed each such
special record date and payment date,  provided that no such special record date
shall be less than 10 days prior to the related  payment date for such defaulted
interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon
the written  request of the Company,  the Trustee in the name and at the expense
of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states
the  special  record  date,  the  related  payment  date and the  amount of such
interest to be paid.

SECTION 2.13. RECORD DATE.

     The record date for purposes of determining  the identity of Holders of the
Notes entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or
permitted  under this  Indenture  shall be  determined  as  provided  for in TIA
S316(c).

SECTION 2.14. CUSIP NUMBER.

     The Company in issuing  the Notes may use a "CUSIP"  number and, if it does
so, the Trustee  shall use the CUSIP number in notices of redemption or exchange
as a  convenience  to Holders,  provided  that any such notice may state that no
representation  is made as to the  correctness  or accuracy of the CUSIP  number
printed in the notice or on the Notes and that  reliance  may be placed  only on
the other  identification  numbers  printed  on the  Notes.  The  Company  shall
promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP number.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                            REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

SECTION 3.01. NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.

     If the Company elects to redeem Notes  pursuant to the optional  redemption
provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee,  at least 30
days  but  not  more  than  60 days  before  a  redemption  date,  an  Officers'
Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the
redemption shall occur,  (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of
Notes to be redeemed, and (iv) the redemption price. In addition, in the case of
a  redemption  pursuant to the  provisions  of Section  3.07(a)  hereof,  if the
obligations  of the  Company in respect of such  redemption  are  subject to the
provisions of Section 3.04(b) hereof, such Officer's Certificate shall so state.

<PAGE>

SECTION 3.02. SELECTION OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED.

     If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or  purchased  in an offer
to purchase at any time,  the Trustee  shall  select the Notes to be redeemed or
purchased among the Holders of the Notes in compliance with the  requirements of
the  principal  national  securities  exchange,  if any,  on which the Notes are
listed or, if the Notes are not so  listed,  on a pro rata  basis,  by lot or in
accordance with any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate.  In
the event of partial  redemption  by lot,  the  particular  Notes to be redeemed
shall be selected,  unless otherwise  provided herein, not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the  redemption  date by the Trustee from the  outstanding
Notes not previously called for redemption.

     The  Trustee  shall  promptly  notify  the  Company in writing of the Notes
selected  for  redemption  and,  in the case of any Note  selected  for  partial
redemption,  the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.  Notes and portions of
Notes  selected  shall be in  amounts  of $1,000 or whole  multiples  of $1,000;
except  that if all of the  Notes of a Holder  are to be  redeemed,  the  entire
outstanding  amount of Notes  held by such  Holder,  even if not a  multiple  of
$1,000,  shall be  redeemed.  Except  as  provided  in the  preceding  sentence,
provisions  of this  Indenture  that apply to Notes called for  redemption  also
apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

SECTION 3.03. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof,  at least 30 days but not
more than 60 days before a redemption  date,  the Company shall mail or cause to
be mailed, by first class mail to its registered address, a notice of redemption
to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed .

     The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

     (a) the redemption date;

     (b) the redemption price;

     (c) if any Note is being  redeemed in part,  the  portion of the  principal
amount of such Note to be  redeemed  and that,  after the  redemption  date upon
surrender  of such Note,  a new Note or Notes in  principal  amount equal to the
unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

     (d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

     (e) that Notes  called for  redemption  must be  surrendered  to the Paying
Agent to collect the redemption price;

     (f) that,  unless the Company  defaults in making such redemption  payment,
interest  on Notes  called  for  redemption  ceases  to  accrue on and after the
redemption date;

     (g) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to
which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

<PAGE>

     (h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the
CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

     (i) in the case of a notice of  redemption  pursuant to the  provisions  of
Section  3.07(a) hereof subject to revocation in accordance  with the provisions
of such  Section,  that the Company  reserves the right to revoke such notice of
redemption  at any time not later  than the date  which is ten days prior to the
date of redemption specified in such notice.

     At the Company's  request,  the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption
in the Company's name and at its expense;  provided,  however,  that the Company
shall have  delivered to the Trustee,  at least 45 days prior to the  redemption
date, an Officers' Certificate  requesting that the Trustee give such notice and
setting  forth the  information  to be stated in such  notice  pursuant  to this
Section 3.03.

SECTION 3.04. EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.

     (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 3.04(b) hereof, (i) once notice of
redemption  is mailed in accordance  with Section 3.03 hereof,  Notes called for
redemption  become  irrevocably  due and payable on the  redemption  date at the
redemption price, and (ii) a notice of redemption may not be conditional.

     (b) In the case of a notice of  redemption  pursuant to the  provisions  of
Section  3.07(a)  hereof which is revoked in accordance  with the  provisions of
such  Section,  (i) the  Notes  shall  not  become  due on the  redemption  date
specified in such revocable notice of redemption,  (ii) the Company shall not be
required to pay the redemption price or, unless the proposed redemption date was
also a semi-annual interest payment date, any accrued interest in respect of the
Notes,  on such date and (iii) the  principal  of the Notes shall remain due and
payable as if such revocable notice of redemption had not been given.

SECTION 3.05. DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.

     One Business Day prior to the  redemption  date,  the Company shall deposit
with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption
price of and accrued  interest  on all Notes to be  redeemed  on that date.  The
Trustee or the Paying  Agent  shall  promptly  return to the  Company  any money
deposited  with the Trustee or the Paying  Agent by the Company in excess of the
amounts  necessary to pay the  redemption  price of and accrued  interest on all
Notes to be redeemed.

     If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph,  on
and after the  redemption  date,  interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or
the portions of Notes called for  redemption.  If a Note is redeemed on or after
an interest  record date but on or prior to the related  interest  payment date,
then any accrued and unpaid  interest  shall be paid to the Person in whose name
such Note was  registered  at the close of business on such record date.  If any
Note called for  redemption  shall not be so paid upon  surrender for redemption
because of the failure of the Company to comply  with the  preceding  paragraph,
interest shall be paid on the unpaid  principal,  from the redemption date until
such  principal  is paid,  and to the extent  lawful on any interest not paid on

<PAGE>

such  unpaid  principal,  in each case at the rate  provided in the Notes and in
Section 4.01 hereof.

SECTION 3.06. NOTES REDEEMED IN PART.

     Upon  surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue
and, upon the Company's written request,  the Trustee shall authenticate for the
Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the
unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered. SECTION OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

     (a) Except as set forth in clause (b) of this  Section  3.07,  the  Company
shall not have the  option to redeem the Notes  pursuant  to this  Section  3.07
prior to May 1, 2003. Thereafter, the Notes will be subject to redemption at any
time at the option of the  Company,  in whole or in part,  upon not less than 30
nor  more  than  60  days'  notice,  at  the  redemption  prices  (expressed  as
percentages  of  principal  amount)  set forth  below  plus  accrued  and unpaid
interest  thereon to the  applicable  redemption  date,  if redeemed  during the
twelve-month period beginning on May 1 of the years indicated below:

   Year                                                   Percentage
   ----                                                   ----------

   2003.....................................................104.188%
   2004.....................................................102.792%
   2005.....................................................101.396%
   2006 and thereafter .....................................100.000%

provided,  however, that if the Company, at its option,  specifies in the notice
of  redemption  provided  for in  this  Section  3.07(a)  that  such  notice  is
revocable,  then the Company may revoke such notice at its further option at any
time on or prior  to the date  which  is 10 days  prior to the  redemption  date
specified  in such notice  (provided  such notice so  specifies)  by providing a
notice  of  revocation  to the  Trustee  on or prior  to the  date on which  the
Company's  revocation  right expires (and the Trustee  shall  promptly mail such
notice to the Holders by first class mail).

     (b)  Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of clause (a) of this Section  3.07,
until May 1,  2001,  the Company may on any one or more  occasions  redeem up to
$50.0 million in aggregate  principal  amount of Notes at a redemption  price of
108.375% of the  principal  amount  thereof,  plus  accrued and unpaid  interest
thereon,  if any, to the redemption  date,  with the net cash proceeds of Public
Equity  Offerings  by the  Company;  provided  that at least  $100.0  million in
aggregate  principal amount of Notes remains  outstanding  immediately after the
occurrence  of such  redemption  (excluding  Notes held by the  Company  and its
Subsidiaries);  and provided,  further,  that such redemption shall occur within
120 days of the date of the closing of such Public Equity Offering.

     (c) Any redemption  pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to
the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

SECTION 3.08. MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

     Except as set forth in Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof, the Company shall not
be required to make  mandatory  redemption  payments  with respect to the Notes.
There are no sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

SECTION 3.09. OFFER TO PURCHASE BY APPLICATION OF EXCESS PROCEEDS.

     In the event that,  pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof,  the Company  shall be
required to  commence an offer to all Holders to purchase  Notes (an "Asset Sale
Offer"), it shall follow the procedures specified below.

     The Asset Sale Offer shall  remain  open for a period of 20  Business  Days
following  its  commencement  and no longer,  except to the extent that a longer
period is required by applicable  law (the "Offer  Period").  No later than five
Business Days after the  termination of the Offer Period (the "Purchase  Date"),
the  Company  shall  purchase  the  principal  amount  of Notes  required  to be
purchased  pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof (the "Offer Amount") or, if less than
the Offer Amount has been tendered,  all Notes tendered in response to the Asset
Sale Offer.  Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner
as interest payments are made.

     If the  Purchase  Date is on or after  an  interest  record  date and on or
before the related  interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall
be paid to the  Person  in  whose  name a Note is  registered  at the  close  of
business on such record date,  and no  additional  interest  shall be payable to
Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

     Upon the  commencement  of an Asset Sale Offer,  the Company shall send, by
first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the  Holders,  with a copy
to the  Trustee.  The  notice  shall  contain  all  instructions  and  materials
necessary  to enable  such  Holders to tender  Notes  pursuant to the Asset Sale
Offer.  The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all  Holders.  The  notice,  which
shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

     (a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made  pursuant to this  Section 3.09
and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain
open;

     (c) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

     (d) that any Note not  tendered or accepted for payment  shall  continue to
accrue interest;

     (e) that,  unless the Company  defaults in making such  payment,  any Note
accepted  for  payment  pursuant  to the Asset Sale Offer  shall cease to accrue
interest after the Purchase Date;

     (f) that Holders  electing to have a Note  purchased  pursuant to an Asset
Sale Offer may only elect to have all of such Note  purchased  and may not elect
to have only a portion of such Note purchased;

<PAGE>

     (g) that Holders  electing to have a Note purchased  pursuant to any Asset
Sale Offer shall be  required  to  surrender  the Note,  with the form  entitled
"Option of Holder to Elect  Purchase" on the reverse of the Note  completed,  or
transfer by book-entry transfer,  to the Company, a depositary,  if appointed by
the Company,  or a Paying Agent at the address  specified in the notice at least
three days before the Purchase Date;

     (h) that  Holders  shall be  entitled to  withdraw  their  election if the
Company,  the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives,  not
later than the  expiration of the Offer  Period,  a telegram,  telex,  facsimile
transmission  or letter  setting  forth the name of the  Holder,  the  principal
amount of the Note the Holder  delivered for purchase and a statement  that such
Holder is withdrawing his or her election to have such Note purchased;

     (i)  that,  if the  aggregate  principal  amount of Notes  surrendered  by
Holders  exceeds  the Offer  Amount,  the Trustee  shall  select the Notes to be
purchased  on a  pro  rata  basis  (with  such  adjustments  as  may  be  deemed
appropriate  by the Company so that only Notes in  denominations  of $1,000,  or
integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased); and

     (j) that Holders whose Notes were  purchased  only in part shall be issued
new Notes  equal in  principal  amount to the  unpurchased  portion of the Notes
surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

     On or before the Purchase Date,  the Company  shall,  to the extent lawful,
accept  for  payment,  on a pro rata basis to the  extent  necessary,  the Offer
Amount of Notes or portions thereof  tendered  pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer,
or if less than the Offer  Amount has been  tendered,  all Notes  tendered,  and
shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Notes or
portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the
terms of this Section 3.09. The Company,  the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as
the case may be, shall  promptly (but in any case not later than five days after
the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each  tendering  Holder an amount equal to
the  purchase  price of the Notes  tendered by such  Holder and  accepted by the
Company for purchase,  and the Company shall  promptly issue a new Note, and the
Trustee,  upon written request from the Company shall  authenticate  and mail or
deliver  such  new  Note to such  Holder,  in a  principal  amount  equal to any
unpurchased  portion of the Note surrendered.  Any Note not so accepted shall be
promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder  thereof.  The Company
shall  publicly  announce  the  results of the Asset Sale Offer on the  Purchase
Date.

     Other than as  specifically  provided in this  Section  3.09,  any purchase
pursuant  to this  Section  3.09 shall be made  pursuant  to the  provisions  of
Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.  Upon completion of an Asset Sale Offer,  the
amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 4.01. PAYMENT OF NOTES.

     The Company  shall pay or cause to be paid the principal  of,  premium,  if
any,  and  interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner  provided in the
Notes. Principal,  premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the
date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof,
holds as of 10:00  a.m.  Eastern  Time on the due date  money  deposited  by the
Company in immediately  available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay
all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

     The Company  shall pay interest  (including  post-petition  interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue  principal and premium,  if any,
at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate
on  the  Notes  to  the  extent  lawful;   it  shall  pay  interest   (including
post-petition  interest in any proceeding  under any Bankruptcy  Law) on overdue
installments of interest  (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the
same rate to the extent lawful.

SECTION 4.02. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY.

     The Company  shall  maintain in the Borough of  Manhattan,  The City of New
York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate
of the Trustee,  Registrar or  co-registrar)  where Notes may be surrendered for
registration  of transfer or for  exchange  and where  notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this  Indenture may be served.  The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any
change in the  location,  of such  office or agency.  If at any time the Company
shall  fail to  maintain  any such  required  office or agency or shall  fail to
furnish the Trustee with the address thereof,  such  presentations,  surrenders,
notices and demands may be made or served at the  Corporate  Trust Office of the
Trustee.

     The Company may also from time to time  designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered  for any or all such
purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however,
that no such  designation or rescission  shall in any manner relieve the Company
of its  obligation  to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York for such  purposes.  The Company shall give prompt  written
notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in
the location of any such other office or agency.

     The Company hereby  designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as
one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

SECTION 4.03. REPORTS.

     (a) Whether or not required by the rules and  regulations of the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  (the   "Commission"),   so  long  as  any  Notes  are

<PAGE>

outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and, upon receipt thereof,
the  Trustee  shall  mail to the  Holders  of Notes,  all  quarterly  and annual
financial  information  that would be required to be  contained in a filing with
the  Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such
Forms, including a "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and, with respect to the annual  information  only, a
report thereon by the Company's certified independent accountants,  in each case
within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and regulations.  In
addition,  whether or not required by rules and  regulations of the  Commission,
the  Company  shall file a copy of all such  information  and  reports  with the
Commission  for public  availability  within the time  periods  specified in the
Commission's rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a
filing)  and  make  such  information   available  to  securities  analysts  and
prospective  investors upon request.  Any materials  required to be furnished to
Holders of Notes by this  Section  4.03 shall  discuss,  in  reasonable  detail,
either  on the  face of the  financial  statements  included  therein  or in the
footnotes  thereto and in any Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition  and Results of  Operations,  the  financial  condition and results of
operations  of the  Company  and the  Guarantors,  if  any,  separate  from  the
financial  condition and results of operations of the other  Subsidiaries of the
Company.  The Company  and each  Guarantor,  if any,  shall also comply with the
provisions of TIA S314(a).

SECTION 4.04. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.

     (a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so
required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee,  within 120 days after the
end of each fiscal year, an Officers'  Certificate  stating that a review of the
activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries  during the preceding fiscal year
has been made  under the  supervision  of the  signing  Officers  with a view to
determining whether the Company has kept, observed,  performed and fulfilled its
obligations under this Indenture,  and further stating,  as to each such Officer
signing such  certificate,  that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company
has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in
this Indenture and is not in default in the  performance or observance of any of
the terms,  provisions  and  conditions of this  Indenture  (or, if a Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred,  describing all such Defaults or Events of
Default of which he or she may have  knowledge  and what  action the  Company is
taking or proposes to take with respect  thereto) and that to the best of his or
her  knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which
payments on account of the  principal of or  interest,  if any, on the Notes are
prohibited  or, if such event has occurred,  a description of the event and what
action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

     (b) So long as not  contrary  to the then  current  recommendations  of the
American  Institute  of Certified  Public  Accountants,  the year-end  financial
statements  delivered  pursuant to Section 4.03 above shall be  accompanied by a
written statement of the Company's  independent public accountants (who shall be
a firm of  established  national  reputation)  that in  making  the  examination
necessary for  certification of such financial  statements,  nothing has come to
their  attention  that  would  lead them to  believe  (i) that the  Company  has
violated any provisions of Article 4 (other than Sections 4.02,  4.03 (except as
set forth  below),  4.04 and 4.06,  as to which no belief need be  expressed) or
Article 5 hereof or, if any such  violation has occurred,  specifying the nature
and period of existence  thereof or (ii) that the  information  contained in the
Company's  filings  on Forms  10-Q and 10-K  failed to  comply  in any  material
respect with the  requirements  of Regulations  S-K and S-X under the Securities
Act  insofar as they  relate to  accounting  matters  or, if any such filing has

<PAGE>

failed to comply in any material respect with such  Regulations,  specifying the
nature of such violations;  it being understood that such accountants  shall not
be liable  directly  or  indirectly  to any  Person  for any  failure  to obtain
knowledge of any such violation.

     (c) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver
to the  Trustee,  forthwith  upon any Officer  becoming  aware of any Default or
Event of Default, an Officers'  Certificate  specifying such Default or Event of
Default and what  action the Company is taking or proposes to take with  respect
thereto.

SECTION 4.05. TAXES.

     The Company  shall pay,  and shall cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to pay,
prior to delinquency,  all material taxes, assessments,  and governmental levies
except such as are  contested in good faith and by  appropriate  proceedings  or
where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material  respect
to the Holders of the Notes.

SECTION 4.06. STAY, EXTENSION AND USURY LAWS.

     The Company hereby, and each of the Guarantors by execution and delivery of
its Subsidiary  Guarantee,  covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so)
that it shall not at any time insist upon,  plead,  or in any manner  whatsoever
claim or take the  benefit or  advantage  of, any stay,  extension  or usury law
wherever  enacted,  now or at any time  hereafter in force,  that may affect the
covenants or the performance of this Indenture;  and the Company and each of the
Guarantors  (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby  expressly  waives
all benefit or advantage of any such law,  and  covenants  that it shall not, by
resort  to any such law,  hinder,  delay or impede  the  execution  of any power
herein  granted to the  Trustee,  but shall  suffer and permit the  execution of
every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

SECTION 4.07 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.

     (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly:

     (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any other  payment or  distribution
on  account  of the  Company's  or any of  its  Subsidiaries'  Equity  Interests
(including,  without  limitation,  any payment in connection  with any merger or
consolidation involving the Company) or to the direct or indirect holders of the
Company's Equity  Interests  (other than dividends or  distributions  payable in
Equity Interests (other than Disqualified  Stock) of the Company or dividends or
distributions  payable  solely to the Company or any Wholly Owned  Subsidiary of
the Company);

     (ii) purchase,  redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including,
without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the
Company)  any Equity  Interests  in the Company or any  Affiliate of the Company
(other than any such Equity  Interests  owned by the Company or any Wholly Owned
Subsidiary of the Company);

<PAGE>

     (iii) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase,  redeem, defease
or otherwise  acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness  that is subordinated
to the Notes or any  Guarantee  thereof,  other  than a payment of  interest  or
principal at the Stated Maturity for such payment; or

     (iv) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above
being collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of
and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

     (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
would occur as a consequence thereof; and
 
     (y) the Company  would,  at the time of such  Restricted  Payment and after
giving pro forma effect thereto as if such  Restricted  Payment had been made at
the beginning of the  applicable  four-quarter  period,  have been  permitted to
incur at least $1.00 of additional  Indebtedness  pursuant to the  provisions of
Section 4.09(a) hereof; and
 
     (z) such  Restricted  Payment,  together  with the  aggregate  of all other
Restricted  Payments made by the Company and its Subsidiaries  after the date of
this Indenture  (excluding  Restricted  Payments  permitted by the provisions of
Sections  4.07(b)(ii),  (iii) and  (vi) (to  the extent that  payments to Finlay
Enterprises  pursuant to the Tax Allocation  Agreement are less than or equal to
the total tax  liabilities  of the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  that would be
payable if the Company and its Subsidiaries were to file a separate consolidated
return) hereof),  is less than the sum of (1) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income
of the  Company  (which  Consolidated  Net Income  shall first be reduced by the
amount of any payments to Finlay  Enterprises  of the type  described in Section
4.07(b)(viii)  hereof) for the period (taken as one accounting  period) from the
beginning  of the  first  fiscal  quarter  commencing  after  the  date  of this
Indenture to the end of the  Company's  most recently  ended fiscal  quarter for
which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted
Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit,  less
100% of such deficit), plus (2) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received
by the Company  from the issue or sale since the date of this  Indenture  of, or
capital  contributions  with respect to, Equity Interests of the Company,  or of
debt  securities  of the  Company  that have  been  converted  into such  Equity
Interests  (other than Equity Interests (or convertible debt securities) sold to
a Subsidiary of the Company and other than Disqualified Stock or debt securities
that have been converted into Disqualified  Stock),  plus (3) to the extent that
any Restricted Investment that was made after the date of this Indenture is sold
for cash or otherwise  liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (A) the cash
return of capital with respect to such Restricted  Investment  (less the cost of
disposition,  if any) and (B) the initial amount of such Restricted  Investment,
plus  (4)  100% of any  dividends,  distributions  or  other  interest  actually
received  in cash by the  Company  after  the  date  of  this  Indenture  from a
Subsidiary of the Company,  the Net Income of which Subsidiary has been excluded
from the computation of Consolidated Net Income; plus (5) $7.5 million.
 
<PAGE>

     (b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

     (i)  the  payment  of any  dividend  within  60  days  after  the  date  of
declaration  thereof,  if at said date of  declaration  such payment  would have
complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

     (ii) the  redemption,  repurchase,  retirement or other  acquisition of any
Equity  Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the
substantially  concurrent  sale (other than to a  Subsidiary  of the Company) of
other  Equity  Interests  of the Company  (other than any  Disqualified  Stock);
provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
such redemption,  repurchase,  retirement or other acquisition shall be excluded
for purposes of Section 4.07(a)(z)(2) hereof;

     (iii) the defeasance, redemption or repurchase of subordinated Indebtedness
with  the  net  cash  proceeds  from  an  incurrence  of  Permitted  Refinancing
Indebtedness or the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of
the Company) of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock);
provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any
such  defeasance,  redemption  or  repurchase  shall be excluded for purposes of
Section 4.07(a)(z)(2) hereof;

     (iv) payments to Finlay Enterprises to permit the substantially  concurrent
repurchase,  redemption  or other  acquisition  or  retirement  for value of any
Equity Interests of Finlay Enterprises held by any officer, employee, consultant
or director of Finlay  Enterprises or any of its Subsidiaries,  or by the estate
of  any  such  Person,  pursuant  to  any  equity  subscription,  stock  option,
employment or similar  agreement upon the death,  retirement or termination,  as
the case may be, of such Person; provided that, the aggregate price paid for all
such  repurchased,  redeemed,  acquired or retired  Equity  Interests  shall not
exceed $3.0 million  during any  twelve-month  period (which amount shall not be
cumulative), plus (A) the aggregate cash proceeds received by Finlay Enterprises
during such  twelve-month  period from any  reissuance  of Equity  Interests  by
Finlay  Enterprises to any officer,  employee,  consultant or director of Finlay
Enterprises or any of its  Subsidiaries,  plus (B) the aggregate amount, if any,
paid  during  such  twelve-month  period  in  connection  with  the  repurchase,
redemption,  retirement or acquisition of Equity Interests of Finlay Enterprises
pursuant to any one or more agreements  between Finlay Enterprises and Arthur E.
Reiner as in effect on the date of this Indenture,  and,  provided  further,  no
Default or Event of Default shall have  occurred and be  continuing  immediately
after such transaction;

     (v) purchases of Equity Interests upon cashless exercise of options, to the
extent  cashless  exercise is permitted  under the terms of the  relevant  stock
option  agreement and of the incentive  plan pursuant to which such options were
issued;

     (vi)  payments  to  Finlay  Enterprises  pursuant  to  the  Tax  Allocation
Agreement,  as it may be  amended  from  time to time  in a  manner  that is not
materially adverse to the Company;

     (vii)  payments  to Finlay  Enterprises  in an amount  not to exceed in any
fiscal  year the  greater of $1.0  million  and an amount  equal to 0.25% of net

<PAGE>

sales for the immediately preceding fiscal year (without cumulation) in order to
pay expenses incurred by Finlay Enterprises in the ordinary course of business;

     (viii) payments to Finlay  Enterprises to enable Finlay  Enterprises to pay
when due  accrued  but unpaid  interest  on the Senior  Debentures,  provided no
Default or Event of Default then exists and  provided  further that such amounts
are promptly used by Finlay Enterprises to pay such interest; and

     (ix)  required  purchases  of  subordinated  Indebtedness  upon a Change of
Control or similar event  constituting a "change in control" for purposes of the
agreement or agreements governing such subordinated Indebtedness, provided that,
prior to  making  any such  purchases  of such  Subordinated  Indebtedness,  the
Company makes a Change of Control Offer and makes the Change of Control Payments
on the Change of Control  Payment Date (in each case,  whether or not  otherwise
required  to do so by this  Indenture)  that  would be  required  if a Change in
Control had occurred.

     (c) In  determining  whether any  Restricted  Payment is  permitted by this
Section 4.07,  the Company may allocate or reallocate any portion or all of such
Restricted  Payment among the clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 4.07(b) hereof
or among such clauses and Section 4.07(a) hereof, including clauses (x), (y) and
(z), provided that, after giving effect to such allocation or reallocation,  all
such Restricted  Payments,  or allocated  portions  thereof,  would be permitted
under the various provisions of such Sections.

     (d) The amount of all  Restricted  Payments  (other than cash) shall be the
fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) proposed
to be  transferred  by the  Company  or such  Subsidiary,  as the  case  may be,
pursuant  to the  Restricted  Payment.  The fair  market  value of any  non-cash
Restricted  Payment  shall  be  determined  by the  Board  of  Directors,  whose
resolutions  with respect  thereto  shall be set forth in Officers'  Certificate
delivered  to the  Trustee,  such  determination  to be based upon an opinion or
appraisal  issued by an  accountant,  appraisal  or  investment  banking firm of
national  standing if such fair market value  exceeds $10.0  million.  Not later
than the date of making any Restricted Payment, the Company shall deliver to the
Trustee  an  Officers'  Certificate  stating  that such  Restricted  Payment  is
permitted  and setting forth the basis upon which the  calculations  required by
this  Section 4.07 were  computed,  which  calculations  shall be based upon the
Company's latest available financial statements.

SECTION 4.08. DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES.

     The Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly,  create or otherwise  cause or suffer to exist or become
effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of the
Company to (i)(a) pay dividends or make any other  distributions  to the Company
or any of its  Subsidiaries  (1) on its Capital Stock or (2) with respect to any
other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits,  or (b) pay any
indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;  (ii) make loans or
advances to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iii) transfer any of its

<PAGE>

properties or assets to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,  except for such
encumbrances  or  restrictions  existing  under  or by  reason  of (a)  Existing
Indebtedness as in effect on the date hereof, (b) the Revolving Credit Agreement
and the Gold Consignment  Agreement as in effect as of the date hereof,  and any
amendments,  modifications,   restatements,  renewals,  increases,  supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that such amendments,
modifications,   restatements,  renewals,  increases,  supplements,  refundings,
replacements  or  refinancings  are no more  restrictive  with  respect  to such
dividend and other payment  restrictions  than those  contained in the Revolving
Credit  Agreement and the Gold  Consignment  Agreement as in effect on the date,
(c) this  Indenture and the Notes,  and the Senior  Debenture  Indenture and the
Senior Debentures, (d) applicable law, (e) any instrument governing Indebtedness
or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
as in  effect  at the  time of  such  acquisition  (except  to the  extent  such
Indebtedness  was  incurred  in  connection  with  or in  contemplation  of such
acquisition),  which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person,
or the  properties  or assets  of any  Person,  other  than the  Person  and its
Subsidiaries,  or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries,  so
acquired,  provided that, in the case of  Indebtedness,  such  Indebtedness  was
permitted  by the terms  hereof to be  incurred,  (f)  customary  non-assignment
provisions in leases and other contracts  entered into in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practices,  (g) purchase money obligations for
property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions of
the nature  described  in the  beginning of this clause (iii) on the property so
acquired, (h) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions
contained in the agreements  governing such Permitted  Refinancing  Indebtedness
are no more  restrictive  than those  contained in the agreements  governing the
Indebtedness  being refinanced,  (i) Permitted Liens, (j) any instrument binding
upon a Receivables  Subsidiary,  provided that such instrument does not bind the
Company  or any  other  Subsidiary  of the  Company  or any of their  respective
properties or assets or (k) any restriction with respect to a Subsidiary imposed
pursuant to an  agreement  entered  into for the sale or  disposition  of all or
substantially all of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary  pending the
closing of such sale or disposition.

SECTION 4.09. INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK.

     (a) The Company

     (i) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly,  create, incur, issue, assume, guaranty or otherwise become directly
or indirectly liable,  contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively,
"incur") any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and

     (ii) shall not issue any Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock;

provided,  however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness
(including  Acquired  Debt) or issue shares of  Disqualified  Stock if the Fixed
Charge  Coverage  Ratio for the Company's  most recently  ended four full fiscal
quarters for which  internal  financial  statements  are  available  immediately
preceding  the date on which such  additional  Indebtedness  is incurred or such
Disqualified  Stock is issued would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on a
pro  forma  basis  (including  a pro  forma  application  of  the  net  proceeds
therefrom),  as if  the  additional  Indebtedness  had  been  incurred,  or  the

<PAGE>

Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such
four-quarter period.

     (b) The provisions of Section  4.09(a) hereof shall not apply to any of the
following (collectively, "Permitted Debt"):

     (i) the incurrence by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of revolving
credit  Indebtedness and letter of credit obligations  pursuant to the Revolving
Credit  Agreement in an aggregate  principal amount not to exceed at the time of
incurrence  thereof  the greater of (x) $275.0  million or (y) 70% of  inventory
plus 85% of accounts receivable (each as determined in accordance with GAAP, but
excluding accounts receivable that are past due by more than 60 days, other than
by reason of any Bankruptcy Law) at any one time outstanding, provided that such
$275.0 million specified in clause (i)(x) above shall be permanently  reduced by
the aggregate  amount of  Indebtedness  of all  Receivables  Subsidiaries of the
Company and its Subsidiaries;

     (ii) the  incurrence  by the Company and its  Subsidiaries  of the Existing
Indebtedness;

     (iii) the  incurrence  by the Company of  Indebtedness  represented  by the
Notes;

     (iv) the incurrence by Finlay Jewelry of Indebtedness or other  obligations
in an aggregate  principal  amount of up to the greater of (x) $37.0 million and
(y)  90% of the  fair  market  value  of the  fine  gold  content  of  specified
Consignment  Inventory  eligible to be consigned under (a) the Gold  Consignment
Agreement or (b) a substantially  similar gold consignment agreement that Finlay
Jewelry may enter into  subsequent to the date of this Indenture  which provides
for the transfer of title to the gold content of Consignment  Inventory from the
relevant vendor to a gold consignor;  provided that such $37.0 million specified
in clause (x) above shall be permanently  reduced by the aggregate amount of all
Net  Proceeds  of Asset  Sales  applied to repay such  Indebtedness  pursuant to
Section 4.10(b)(i) hereof;

     (v)  the  incurrence  by  the  Company  or  any  of  its   Subsidiaries  of
Indebtedness  represented by Capital Lease  Obligations  in aggregate  principal
amount not to exceed $4.0 million at any time outstanding;

     (vi)  the  incurrence  by  the  Company  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries  of
Indebtedness  represented by mortgage  financings or purchase money obligations,
in each  case  incurred  for the  purpose  of  financing  all or any part of the
purchase price or cost of  construction  or  improvement  of property,  plant or
equipment  used  in the  business  of the  Company  or  such  Subsidiary,  in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4.0 million at any time outstanding;

     (vii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness;

     (viii)  the  incurrence  by the  Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  of
intercompany  Indebtedness between or among Finlay Enterprises,  the Company and
any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (x) if the Company

<PAGE>

is the obligor on such Indebtedness,  such Indebtedness is expressly subordinate
(in accordance  with the terms of this  Indenture) to the payment in full of all
Obligations  with  respect to the Notes and (y)(A) any  subsequent  issuance  or
transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by
a Person other than Finlay Enterprises, the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of the Company and (B) any sale or other transfer of any such  Indebtedness to a
Person that is not Finlay Enterprises,  the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of the Company  shall be deemed,  in each case,  to  constitute an incurrence of
such Indebtedness by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be;

     (ix) the  incurrence by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of Hedging
Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate
risk with respect to any  floating  rate  Indebtedness  that is permitted by the
terms of this Indenture to be outstanding;

     (x) the  incurrence  by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of Hedging
Obligations  that are  incurred  for the purpose of fixing or hedging  commodity
price  risk,  entered  into  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  and not for
speculative  purposes,  to  protect  against  fluctuations  in the prices of raw
materials  used  in the  Company's  or such  Subsidiary's  business  in  amounts
reasonably related to such business;

     (xi) the  incurrence by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  of Hedging
Obligations  that are  incurred  for the  purpose of fixing or  hedging  foreign
exchange rate risk,  entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for
speculative  purposes and in amounts reasonably related to the businesses of the
Company and its Subsidiaries;

     (xii) the incurrence by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries of Acquired
Debt of a Person  incurred prior to the date upon which such Person was (or such
Person's  assets  were)  acquired  by the  Company  or  any of its  Subsidiaries
(excluding  Indebtedness  incurred  by such  Person in  connection  with,  or in
contemplation  of, such  acquisition)  in an aggregate  principal  amount not to
exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

     (xiii)  the  incurrence  by the  Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  of
Indebtedness  in  respect  of  worker's   compensation  claims,   self-insurance
obligations,  performance,  surety and similar bonds and  completion  guarantees
provided by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  in the  ordinary  course of
business;

     (xiv)  the  incurrence  by  the  Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  of
Indebtedness  arising from any  agreement  entered into by the Company or any of
its  Subsidiaries  providing for  indemnification,  purchase price adjustment or
similar  obligations,  in each case incurred or assumed in  connection  with any
asset sale;

     (xv)  the  incurrence  of  Indebtedness  by  the  Company  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries in connection  with a Guarantee of any  Indebtedness of the Company
or any of  its  Subsidiaries  that  was  permitted  to be  incurred  by  another
provision of this Section 4.09;

     (xvi)  the  incurrence  by  the  Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  of
Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial  institution

<PAGE>

of a check,  draft or similar  instrument  inadvertently  (except in the case of
daylight  overdrafts) drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of
business;  provided, however, that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five
Business Days of incurrence; and

     (xvii)  the  incurrence  by the  Company  or any  of  its  Subsidiaries  of
Indebtedness (in addition to Indebtedness  permitted by any other clause of this
Section  4.09(b)  in an  aggregate  principal  amount  (or  accreted  value,  as
applicable) at any time outstanding not to exceed $40.0 million.

     (c) For purposes of determining  compliance  with the provisions of Section
4.09(b),  in the event that an item of  Indebtedness  meets the criteria of more
than one of the categories of Permitted  Debt  described in Sections  4.09(b)(i)
through (xvii) above or is entitled to be incurred  pursuant to Section  4.09(a)
hereof,  the  Company  shall,  in its sole  discretion,  classify  such  item of
Indebtedness  in any manner that  complies  with the  provisions of this Section
4.09 and such item of  Indebtedness  will be  treated  as having  been  incurred
pursuant  to only one of such  clauses or pursuant  to Section  4.09(a)  hereof.
Indebtedness  permitted to be incurred pursuant to Sections  4.09(b)(i)  through
(xvii) above may be incurred  pursuant to one  agreement  or several  agreements
with one lender or several lenders.

SECTION 4.10 ASSET SALES.

     (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
engage in an Asset Sale unless (i) the Company (or the  Subsidiary,  as the case
may be) receives  consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to
the fair market value  (evidenced  by a resolution of the Board of Directors set
forth in an  Officers'  Certificate  delivered  to the Trustee) of the assets or
Equity Interests  issued or sold or otherwise  disposed of and (ii) at least 75%
of the  consideration  therefor received by the Company or such Subsidiary is in
the form of (a) cash or Cash  Equivalents or (b) Qualified  Proceeds,  provided,
that the aggregate fair market value of Qualified  Proceeds that may be received
pursuant to this clause  (ii)(b)  shall not exceed an aggregate of $10.0 million
after the date of this Indenture;  provided further,  that the amount of (x) any
liabilities (as shown on the Company's or such  Subsidiary's most recent balance
sheet),  of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than  contingent
liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or
any  guarantee  thereof)  that are assumed by the  transferee of any such assets
pursuant to a customary  novation  agreement  that  releases the Company or such
Subsidiary  from  further  liability  and (y) any  securities,  notes  or  other
obligations  received by the Company or any such Subsidiary from such transferee
that are promptly (and in any event,  in not more than 30 days) converted by the
Company or such Subsidiary  into cash or Cash  Equivalents (to the extent of the
cash or Cash Equivalents  received),  shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of
this provision.

     (b)  Within 360 days after the  receipt of any Net  Proceeds  from an Asset
Sale,  the  Company  may  apply  such Net  Proceeds  at its  option to (i) repay
revolving  indebtedness or other  obligations  either under the Revolving Credit
Agreement or the Gold  Consignment  Agreement (or a  substantially  similar gold
consignment  agreement  pursuant  to  Section  4.09(b)(iv)(y)(b)  hereof)  or  a
combination  thereof  (and  to  correspondingly   permanently  reduce  revolving
borrowing  commitments  or revolving  consignment  commitments  or a combination

<PAGE>

thereof with respect thereto) or (ii) the acquisition of a controlling  interest
in another  business,  the making of capital  expenditures or the acquisition of
other assets used or useable,  in each such case, in the business  engaged in by
the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  on the date  hereof or in a  business
reasonably  related  thereto.  Pending  the  final  application  of any such Net
Proceeds,  the Company may temporarily reduce Senior Revolving Debt or otherwise
make an Investment of such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not  prohibited by
the terms of this  Indenture.  Any Net  Proceeds  from Asset  Sales that are not
applied or invested as provided in the first  sentence of this  Section  4.10(b)
will be deemed to constitute  "Excess  Proceeds".  When the aggregate  amount of
Excess  Proceeds  exceeds $10.0 million,  the Company shall make an offer to all
Holders of Notes (an "Asset Sale Offer") in  accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 3.09 hereof to purchase the maximum  principal  amount of Notes that may
be purchased out of such Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount
equal to 100% of the principal  amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest
thereon,  if any,  to the date of  purchase.  To the extent  that the  aggregate
amount of Notes tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess
Proceeds, the Company shall make an offer to all holders of Senior Debentures in
accordance  with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof and on the same terms and
conditions  offered to Holders of Notes to purchase the maximum principal amount
of Senior Debentures that may be purchased out of the remaining Excess Proceeds.
To the extent that the aggregate amount of Senior  Debentures  tendered pursuant
to any such offer is less than the remaining Excess Proceeds, the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general  corporate
purposes or otherwise make an Investment of such remaining amounts in any manner
that is not prohibited by this Indenture.  If the aggregate  principal amount of
Notes (or  Debentures,  as the case may be)  surrendered by Holders (or holders)
thereof  exceeds the amount of Excess  Proceeds,  the Trustee  shall  select the
Notes (or Debentures) to be purchased on a pro rata basis.

SECTION 4.11. EQUITY INTERESTS OF WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES.

     The Company (a) shall not, and shall not permit any Wholly Owned Subsidiary
of the Company to, transfer,  convey,  sell,  lease or otherwise  dispose of any
Capital Stock of any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company to any Person (other
than to the Company or to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company),  unless (i)
such  transfer,  conveyance,  sale,  lease  or other  disposition  is of all the
Capital  Stock of such Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  and (ii) the Net Proceeds  from
such  transfer,  conveyance,  sale,  lease or other  disposition  are applied in
accordance  with the  provisions of Section 4.10 and, if applicable  pursuant to
the  provisions  of Section 4.10  hereof,  Section 3.09 hereof and (b) shall not
permit any Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary  of the  Company to issue any of its Equity
Interests  (other than, if necessary,  shares of its Capital Stock  constituting
directors'  qualifying  shares) to any Person  other than to the Company or to a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company.

SECTION 4.12 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.

     The Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
make any payment to or  Investment  in, or sell,  lease,  transfer or  otherwise
dispose of any of its  properties  or assets to, or  purchase  any  property  or
assets  from,  or  enter  into  or  make  or  amend  any  contract,   agreement,
understanding,  loan,  advance or  guarantee  with,  or for the  benefit of, any

<PAGE>

Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an "Affiliate  Transaction"),  unless (i) such
Affiliate  Transaction  is on terms that are no less favorable to the Company or
the relevant Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable
transaction by the Company or such Subsidiary with an unrelated  Person and (ii)
the  Company  delivers  to  the  Trustee  (a)  with  respect  to  any  Affiliate
Transaction  or series of related  Affiliate  Transactions  involving  aggregate
consideration in excess of $1.0 million, a resolution  approved by a majority of
the  disinterested  members of the Board of Directors  set forth in an Officers'
Certificate  certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i)
above and (b) with  respect to any  Affiliate  Transaction  or series of related
Affiliate  Transactions  involving  aggregate  consideration  in excess of $10.0
million,  an opinion  issued by an accounting,  appraisal or investment  banking
firm of national standing as to the fairness of such Affiliate Transaction, from
a financial  point of view, to the Holders;  provided  that (a) any  employment,
deferred compensation, stock option, noncompetition, consulting, indemnification
or similar  agreement  entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in
the ordinary  course of business and  consistent  with the past  practice of the
Company or such Subsidiary, (b) transactions between or among the Company and/or
its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, (c) Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments
that are permitted by the  provisions  of Section 4.07 hereof,  (d) any payments
due to the Thomas H. Lee Capital LLC or Desai  Capital  Management  Incorporated
under the Lee Management  Agreement or the Desai Management  Agreement,  each as
amended  as of the  date  hereof,  (e) the  performance  by the  Company  of its
obligations  under  the  Stockholders'  Agreement  and the  Registration  Rights
Agreement,  each as amended as of the date hereof, (f) any payments by or to the
Company or any Wholly Owned  Subsidiary of the Company  pursuant to the terms of
the Tax Allocation  Agreement,  as amended as of the date hereof, (g) transfers,
conveyances, sales, leases or other dispositions of Receivables to a Receivables
Subsidiary,  and (h) contracts,  agreements and  understandings  in existence in
writing on the date  hereof and as in effect on such date,  in each case,  shall
not be deemed Affiliate Transactions.

SECTION 4.13 LIENS.


     The Company  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
directly or indirectly  create,  incur,  assume or otherwise  cause or suffer to
exist or become effective any Lien of any kind, other than Permitted Liens, upon
any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter acquired,  or any income
or profits  therefrom or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom,
securing  Indebtedness or trade payables,  unless all payments due hereunder and
under the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable  basis with the  obligations
so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.

SECTION 4.14. CORPORATE EXISTENCE.

     Subject to Article 5 hereof,  the Company  shall do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate
existence,  and the  corporate,  partnership  or other  existence of each of its
Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the
same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary and
(ii) the rights (charter and statutory),  licenses and franchises of the Company
and its Subsidiaries;  provided, however, that the Company shall not be required
to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate,  partnership
or other existence of any of its  Subsidiaries,  if the Board of Directors shall
determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of

<PAGE>

the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the
loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

SECTION  4.15. OFFER TO REPURCHASE UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL.

     (cc) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes shall
have the right to require  the Company to  repurchase  all or any part (equal to
$1,000 or an integral  multiple  thereof) of such Holder's Notes pursuant to the
offer  described below (the "Change of Control Offer") at an offer price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate  principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest  thereon,  if any,  to the date of  purchase  (the  "Change  of Control
Payment").

     (dd) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail
a  notice  to each  Holder  describing  the  transaction  or  transactions  that
constitute  the Change of Control and offering to repurchase  Notes  pursuant to
the  procedures  required  by this  Section  4.15,  which  procedures  shall  be
described in such notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule
14e-1  under the  Exchange  Act and any other  securities  laws and  regulations
thereunder to the extent such laws and  regulations are applicable in connection
with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control.

     (ee) On a date  that is at least 30 but no more  than 60 days from the date
on which the  Company  mails  notice of the  Change of Control  (the  "Change of
Control Payment Date"),  the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (1) accept for
payment all Notes or portions thereof properly  tendered  pursuant to the Change
of Control  Offer,  (2)  deposit  with the Paying  Agent an amount  equal to the
Change of  Control  Payment  in  respect  of all Notes or  portions  thereof  so
tendered  and (3) deliver or cause to be  delivered  to the Trustee the Notes so
accepted together with an Officers'  Certificate stating the aggregate principal
amount of Notes or portions  thereof being purchased by the Company.  The Paying
Agent  will  promptly  mail to each  Holder of Notes so  tendered  the Change of
Control Payment for such Notes,  and the Trustee will promptly  authenticate and
mail (or cause to be transferred  by book entry) to each tendering  Holder a new
Note  equal  in  principal  amount  to any  unpurchased  portion  of  the  Notes
surrendered,  if any;  provided  that each such new Note will be in a  principal
amount of $1,000 or an integral  multiple  thereof.  The Company shall  publicly
announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable
after the Change of Control Payment Date.
 
     The Change of Control provisions described above shall apply whether or not
any other provision hereof is applicable.

     (ff)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Section  4.15,  the
Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of
Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the
times  and  otherwise  in  compliance  with the  requirements  set forth in this
Section 4.15 and Section 3.09 hereof and purchases  all Notes  validly  tendered
and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

<PAGE>

SECTION 4.16. PAYMENTS FOR CONSENT.

     Neither  the  Company  nor  any  of its  Subsidiaries  shall,  directly  or
indirectly,  pay or  cause  to be  paid  any  consideration,  whether  by way of
interest,  fee or otherwise,  to any Holder of any Notes for or as an inducement
to any consent,  waiver or amendment of any of the terms or  provisions  of this
Indenture  or the Notes  unless such  consideration  is offered to be paid or is
paid to all  Holders of the Notes that  consent,  waive or agree to amend in the
time frame set forth in the  solicitation  documents  relating to such  consent,
waiver or agreement.


                                    ARTICLE 5
                                   SUCCESSORS

SECTION 5.01. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS.

     The Company shall not consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not the
Company is the surviving corporation),  or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey
or otherwise  dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in
one or more  related  transactions,  to  another  corporation,  Person or entity
unless (i) the Company is the surviving  corporation or the entity or the Person
formed by or  surviving  any such  consolidation  or merger  (if other  than the
Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other
disposition  shall have been made is a corporation  organized or existing  under
the laws of the United  States,  any state  thereof or the District of Columbia;
(ii) the  entity or Person  formed by or  surviving  any such  consolidation  or
merger (if other than the  Company)  or the entity or Person to which such sale,
assignment,  transfer,  lease,  conveyance or other  disposition shall have been
made assumes all the  obligations  of the Company  under the Notes and hereunder
pursuant to a supplemental  indenture in a form  reasonably  satisfactory to the
Trustee; (iii) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default
exists;  and (iv) except in the case of a merger of the  Company  with or into a
Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary  of the  Company,  the Company or the entity or Person
formed by or  surviving  any such  consolidation  or merger  (if other  than the
Company),  or to which such sale,  assignment,  transfer,  lease,  conveyance or
other  disposition  shall have been made (A) shall have  Consolidated  Net Worth
immediately  after  the  transaction  equal  to  or  greater  than  90%  of  the
Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately  preceding the transaction and
(B) shall,  at the time of such  transaction  and after  giving pro forma effect
thereto as if such  transaction  had occurred at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter  period,  be  permitted  to  incur at  least  $1.00  of  additional
Indebtedness  pursuant to the Fixed Charge  Coverage Ratio test set forth in the
Section 4.09(a) hereof.
 
SECTION 5.02. SUCCESSOR CORPORATION SUBSTITUTED.

     Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed
by such  consolidation  or into or with which the  Company is merged or to which
such sale, assignment,  transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made
shall  succeed  to, and be  substituted  for (so that from and after the date of
such consolidation,  merger, sale, lease,  conveyance or other disposition,  the
provisions of this Indenture  referring to the "Company"  shall refer instead to
the successor corporation and not to the Company),  and may exercise every right

<PAGE>

and power of the Company  under this  Indenture  with the same effect as if such
successor Person had been named as the Company herein;  provided,  however, that
the  predecessor  Company shall not be relieved  from the  obligation to pay the
principal  of and  interest on the Notes  except in the case of a sale of all of
the Company's assets that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof. 

                                  ARTICLE 6
                             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

     An "Event of Default" occurs if:

     (a) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;

     (b) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium,  if any, on
the Notes;

     (c) failure by the Company to comply with the  provisions of Sections 3.09,
4.10 or 4.15 or Article 5 hereof;

     (d) failure by the  Company for 45 days after  notice to comply with any of
its other covenants hereunder or under the Notes;

     (e) default under any mortgage,  indenture or instrument  under which there
may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for
money  borrowed  by  the  Company  or any of  its  Subsidiaries  (including  any
Indebtedness  the  payment of which is  guaranteed  by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries)  other than a Receivables  Subsidiary whether such Indebtedness or
guarantee now exists, or is created after the date hereof, which default:

     (i) is caused by a failure to pay  principal or a premium,  if any, on such
Indebtedness at the Stated Maturity for such payment of principal or premium, if
any, or such later date as has been agreed in a writing  (provided  such writing
is  entered  into  prior  to  such  Stated  Maturity)  by  the  parties  to  the
documentation relating to such Indebtedness (a "Payment Default") or

     (ii) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness  prior to its express
maturity

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness,  together with
the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a
Payment  Default or the  maturity of which has been so  accelerated,  aggregates
$12.5 million or more;

     (f)  failure  by  the  Company  or any of  its  Subsidiaries  other  than a
Receivables  Subsidiary to pay final  judgments  aggregating  in excess of $12.5
million,  which judgments are not paid,  discharged or stayed for a period of 60
days (or 90 days if prior to such  sixtieth day the Company has delivered to the
Trustee  an  Officers'  Certificate  attesting  that a  financially  responsible
insurance  company of recognized  national  standing has acknowledged in writing
complete liability for such judgment and attached a copy of such  acknowledgment
thereto);

<PAGE>

     (g) repudiation by any Subsidiary of its  obligations  under any Subsidiary
Guarantee or, except as permitted  hereunder,  any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be
held in a judicial  proceeding  to be  unenforceable  or invalid in any material
respect or shall cease to be in full force and effect;

     (h)  the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other  than a  Receivables
Subsidiary) within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

     (i) commences a voluntary case,


     (ii)  consents  to the  entry  of an  order  for  relief  against  it in an
involuntary case,

     (iii)  consents  to the  appointment  of a  custodian  of it or for  all or
substantially all of its property,

     (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

     (v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

     (i) a court of competent  jurisdiction  enters an order or decree under any
Bankruptcy Law that:

     (i) is for relief  against  the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other
than a Receivables Subsidiary);

     (ii) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries or for
all  or  substantially  all  of  the  property  of  the  Company  or  any of its
Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary); or

     (iii)  orders the  liquidation  of the  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries
(other than a Receivables Subsidiary);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.


SECTION 6.02. ACCELERATION.

     (a) If any  Event  of  Default  occurs  and is  continuing  (other  than as
specified  in Sections  6.01(h) or (i)),  the Trustee or the Holders of at least
25% in principal amount of the then  outstanding  Notes by written notice to the
Trustee  and the  Company  may  declare  all  the  Notes  to be due and  payable
immediately.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in the case of an Event of Default

<PAGE>

arising from Sections  6.01(h) or (i) hereof,  with respect to the Company,  any
Significant  Subsidiary  of the Company or any group of its  Subsidiaries  that,
taken together,  would constitute a Significant  Subsidiary of the Company,  all
outstanding  Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice.
Holders  of the Notes may not  enforce  this  Indenture  or the Notes  except as
provided  in this  Indenture.  Subject  to  certain  limitations,  Holders  of a
majority  in  principal  amount of the then  outstanding  Notes may  direct  the
Trustee in its  exercise of any trust or power.  The Trustee may  withhold  from
Holders  of the  Notes  notice of any  continuing  Default  or Event of  Default
(except a Default or Event of Default  relating to the payment of  principal  or
interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

     (b) If an Event of Default  occurs on or after May 1, 2003 by reason of any
willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company
with the  intention of avoiding  payment of the premium  that the Company  would
have had to pay if the Company then had elected to redeem the Notes  pursuant to
Section 3.07 hereof, then, upon acceleration of the Notes, an equivalent premium
shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the extent  permitted by
law, anything in this Indenture or in the Notes to the contrary notwithstanding.
If an Event of  Default  occurs  prior to May 1, 2003 by  reason of any  willful
action (or  inaction)  taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company  with
the  intention of avoiding the  prohibition  on redemption of the Notes prior to
such date,  then, upon  acceleration  of the Notes, an additional  premium shall
also become and be  immediately  due and  payable in an amount,  for each of the
years  beginning  on May 1 of the  years  set forth  below,  as set forth  below
(expressed as a percentage  of the principal  amount to the date of payment that
would otherwise be due but for the provisions of this sentence):

     Year                                              Percentage
     ----                                              ----------
     1998 ..............................................108.375%
     1999 ..............................................107.538%
     2000 ..............................................106.700%
     2001 ..............................................105.863%
     2002 ..............................................105.025%
     2003 ..............................................104.188%

     (c) In the event of a declaration of  acceleration  of the Notes because an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as a result of a Payment Default
or the acceleration of any Indebtedness described in Section 6.01(e) hereof, the
declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically annulled if

     (i) any Payment  Default  described  in clause (i) of such Section has been
cured or waived and

     (ii) the holders of any accelerated  Indebtedness  described in clause (ii)
of such Section have  rescinded the  declaration of  acceleration  in respect of
such  Indebtedness  provided  in each such case  that (a) such  cure,  waiver or
rescission of such  declaration of acceleration  shall have been made in writing
within 30 days of the date of such Payment Default or  declaration,  as the case
may be,  and (b) the  annulment  of the  acceleration  of such  Notes  would not
conflict  with any judgment or decree of a court of competent  jurisdiction  and
(c) all existing Events of Default,  except  nonpayment of principal or interest

<PAGE>

on the Notes that became due solely  because of the  acceleration  of the Notes,
have been cured or waived.

     (d) A Default under Section 6.01(d) hereof is not an Event of Default until
the  Trustee  or the  Holders  of at least 25% in  principal  amount of the then
outstanding  Notes give  written  notice to the  Company of the  default and the
Company does not cure the Default within the period provided therein. The notice
must specify in  reasonable  detail the Default,  demand that it be remedied and
state that the notice is a "Notice of Default". If the Holders of 25% or more in
principal amount of the then outstanding  Notes request the Trustee to give such
notice on their behalf, the Trustee shall do so.

SECTION 6.03. OTHER REMEDIES.

     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any
available  remedy to collect  the payment of  principal,  premium,  if any,  and
interest  on the Notes or to enforce the  performance  of any  provision  of the
Notes or this Indenture.

     The Trustee may  maintain a  proceeding  even if it does not possess any of
the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission
by the  Trustee  or any  Holder  of a Note in  exercising  any  right or  remedy
accruing  upon an Event of  Default  shall  not  impair  the  right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are
cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04. WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.

     Holders of not less than a majority in  aggregate  principal  amount of the
Notes then  outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of
all of the  Notes  waive  any  existing  Default  or  Event of  Default  and its
consequences  hereunder,  except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment  of the  principal  of,  premium,  if  any,  or  interest  on the  Notes
(including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the
Holders of a majority  in  aggregate  principal  amount of the then  outstanding
Notes may rescind an acceleration  and its  consequences,  including any related
payment  default that resulted from such  acceleration.  Upon such waiver,  such
Default shall cease to exist,  and any Event of Default arising  therefrom shall
be deemed to have been cured for every  purpose of this  Indenture;  but no such
waiver  shall  extend to any  subsequent  or other  Default  or impair any right
consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.05. CONTROL BY MAJORITY.

     Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may
direct the time,  method and place of conducting  any  proceeding for exercising
any remedy  available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power  conferred
on it. The Trustee may,  however,  refuse to follow any direction that conflicts
with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial
to the  rights of other  Holders  of Notes or that may  involve  the  Trustee in
personal liability.

<PAGE>

SECTION 6.06. LIMITATION ON SUITS.

     A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with  respect to this  Indenture  or
the Notes only if:

     (a)  the  Holder  of a  Note  gives  to the  Trustee  written  notice  of a
continuing Event of Default;

     (b)  the  Holders  of  at  least  25 % in  principal  amount  of  the  then
outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

     (c) such  Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes  offer  and,  if  requested,
provide to the Trustee  indemnity  satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss,
liability or expense;

     (d) the  Trustee  does not  comply  with the  request  within 60 days after
receipt of the  request  and the offer  and,  if  requested,  the  provision  of
indemnity; and

     (e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the then outstanding  Notes do not give the Trustee a direction  inconsistent
with the request.

     A Holder of a Note may not use this  Indenture to  prejudice  the rights of
another  Holder of a Note or to obtain a  preference  or priority  over  another
Holder of a Note.

SECTION 6.07. RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF NOTES TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.

     Notwithstanding  any other  provision of this  Indenture,  the right of any
Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal,  premium, if any, and interest
on the  Note,  on or  after  the  respective  due  dates  expressed  in the Note
(including  in connection  with an offer to purchase),  or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates,  shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 6.08. COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.

     If an Event of Default  specified  in Section  6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as
trustee  of an  express  trust  against  the  Company  for the  whole  amount of
principal of, premium,  if any, and interest  remaining  unpaid on the Notes and
interest on overdue  principal  and,  to the extent  lawful,  interest  and such
further  amount  as shall be  sufficient  to cover the  costs  and  expenses  of
collection,  including the reasonable compensation,  expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

<PAGE>

SECTION 6.09. TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.

     The Trustee is  authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or
documents  as may be  necessary  or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee  (including  any  claim  for  the  reasonable  compensation,   expenses,
disbursements  and  advances of the  Trustee,  its agents and  counsel)  and the
Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company
(or any other  obligor upon the Notes),  its creditors or its property and shall
be entitled and empowered to collect,  receive and distribute any money or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such
judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to
the Trustee,  and, in the event that the Trustee  shall consent to the making of
such payments  directly to the Holders,  to pay to the Trustee any amount due to
it for the reasonable compensation,  expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee,  its agents and counsel,  and any other  amounts due the Trustee  under
Section  7.07 hereof.  To the extent that the payment of any such  compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in
any such proceeding,  shall be denied for any reason,  payment of the same shall
be secured  by a Lien on,  and shall be paid out of, any and all  distributions,
dividends,  money,  securities  and other  properties  that the  Holders  may be
entitled to receive in such proceeding  whether in liquidation or under any plan
of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on
behalf of any  Holder any plan of  reorganization,  arrangement,  adjustment  or
composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the
Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.10. PRIORITIES.

     If the Trustee  collects any money  pursuant to this Article,  it shall pay
out the money in the following order:

     First:  to the  Trustee,  its agents and  attorneys  for  amounts due under
Section  7.07  hereof,  including  payment  of  all  compensation,  expense  and
liabilities  incurred,  and all advances  made, by the Trustee and the costs and
expenses of collection;

     Second:  to  Holders of Notes for  amounts  due and unpaid on the Notes for
principal,  premium,  if any,  and  interest,  ratably,  without  preference  or
priority of any kind,  according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for
principal, premium, if any and interest, respectively; and

     Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction
shall direct.

     The  Trustee  may fix a record  date and  payment  date for any  payment to
Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

<PAGE>

SECTION 6.11. UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture
or in any suit  against the  Trustee for any action  taken or omitted by it as a
Trustee,  a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant
in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its
discretion may assess reasonable costs,  including  reasonable  attorneys' fees,
against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses  made by the party  litigant.  This Section does
not apply to a suit by the  Trustee,  a suit by a Holder of a Note  pursuant  to
Section 6.07 hereof,  or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal  amount
of the then outstanding Notes.


                                    ARTICLE 7
                                     TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.

     (a) If an Event of Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  the Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and
use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise  or use under the  circumstances  in the conduct of such  person's  own
affairs.

     (b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

     (i) the duties of the  Trustee  shall be  determined  solely by the express
provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that
are  specifically  set forth in this  Indenture  and no  others,  and no implied
covenants or obligations  shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;
and

     (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may  conclusively
rely,  as to the truth of the  statements  and the  correctness  of the opinions
expressed  therein,  upon certificates or opinions  furnished to the Trustee and
conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  The Trustee shall examine the
certificates and opinions,  however, to determine whether or not they conform to
the requirements of this Indenture.

     (c) The Trustee may not be relieved from  liabilities for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct,  except
that:

     (i) this clause does not limit the effect of clause (b) of this Section;

     (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good
faith by a  Responsible  Officer,  unless  it is  proved  that the  Trustee  was
negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

     (iii) the Trustee  shall not be liable with  respect to any action it takes
or omits to take in good faith in  accordance  with a  direction  received by it
pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

<PAGE>

     (d) Whether or not therein  expressly so provided,  every provision of this
Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to clauses (a), (b),
and (c) of this Section.

     (e) No provision of this  Indenture  shall require the Trustee to expend or
risk  its own  funds or  incur  any  liability.  The  Trustee  shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this  Indenture at the
request of any  Holders,  unless such Holder  shall have  offered to the Trustee
security  and  indemnity  satisfactory  to it  against  any loss,  liability  or
expense.

     (f) The Trustee  shall not be liable for interest on any money  received by
it except as the Trustee may agree in writing  with the  Company.  Money held in
trust by the  Trustee  need not be  segregated  from other  funds  except to the
extent required by law.

SECTION 7.02. RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

     (a) The Trustee may conclusively  rely upon any document  believed by it to
be  genuine  and to have been  signed or  presented  by the proper  Person.  The
Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

     (b) Before the Trustee  acts or  refrains  from  acting,  it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be
liable  for any action it takes or omits to take in good  faith in  reliance  on
such Officers'  Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.  The Trustee may consult with
counsel and the written  advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel  shall
be full and complete  authorization  and protection from liability in respect of
any action  taken,  suffered  or omitted  by it  hereunder  in good faith and in
reliance thereon.

     (c) The Trustee may act through its  attorneys  and agents and shall not be
responsible  for the  misconduct or negligence of any agent  appointed  with due
care.

     (d) The  Trustee  shall not be liable  for any  action it takes or omits to
take in good faith that it  believes  to be  authorized  or within the rights or
powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

     (e) Unless otherwise  specifically provided in this Indenture,  any demand,
request,  direction or notice from the Company  shall be sufficient if signed by
an Officer of the Company.

     (f) The Trustee  shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers  vested in it by this  Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders  unless such Holders  shall have  offered to the Trustee  reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs,  expenses and liabilities that might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

SECTION 7.03. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.

     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  In the event
that the Trustee acquires any conflicting  interest,  however, it must eliminate
such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue

<PAGE>

as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The
Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

SECTION 7.04. TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.

     The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no  representation as to
the  validity  or  adequacy  of this  Indenture  or the  Notes,  it shall not be
accountable  for the  Company's  use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money
paid to the Company or upon the Company's  direction under any provision of this
Indenture,  it shall not be responsible  for the use or application of any money
received  by any  Paying  Agent  other  than the  Trustee,  and it shall  not be
responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or
any other document in connection  with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this
Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.05. NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.

     If a Default or Event of  Default  occurs  and is  continuing  and if it is
actually known to a Responsible  Officer of the Trustee,  the Trustee shall mail
to Holders of Notes a notice of the  Default or Event of Default  within 90 days
after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default relating to
the payment of principal  or interest on any Note,  the Trustee may withhold the
notice if it determines  that  withholding the notice is in the interests of the
Holders of the Notes.

SECTION 7.06. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS OF THE NOTES.

     Within 60 days after each April 24  beginning  with the April 24  following
the date of this  Indenture,  and for so long as Notes remain  outstanding,  the
Trustee  shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief  report dated as of such
reporting date that complies with TIA S 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA
S 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months  preceding the reporting date, no
report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA S 313(b)(2).
The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA S 313(c).

     A copy of each  report at the time of its  mailing to the  Holders of Notes
shall be mailed to the  Company  and filed  with the  Commission  and each stock
exchange  on which the Notes are  listed in  accordance  with TIA S 313(d).  The
Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock
exchange.

SECTION 7.07. COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.

     The  Company  shall  pay  to the  Trustee  from  time  to  time  reasonable
compensation  for its acceptance of this Indenture and services  hereunder.  The
Trustee's  compensation  shall not be  limited by any law on  compensation  of a
trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall  reimburse the Trustee  promptly
upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or
made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall
include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's
agents and counsel.

     The  Company  shall  indemnify  the  Trustee  against  any and all  losses,
liabilities or expenses  incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the

<PAGE>

acceptance or administration  of its duties under this Indenture,  including the
costs and expenses of enforcing  this Indenture  against the Company  (including
this Section 7.07) and defending  itself against any claim (whether  asserted by
the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in  connection  with
the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder,  except to
the extent any such  loss,  liability  or  expense  may be  attributable  to its
negligence or bad faith.  The Trustee  shall notify the Company  promptly of any
claim for which it may seek  indemnity.  Failure by the Trustee to so notify the
Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder.  The Company
shall  defend the claim and the Trustee  shall  cooperate  in the  defense.  The
Trustee may have separate  counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees
and expenses of such counsel.  The Company need not pay for any settlement  made
without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

     The  obligations  of the Company  under this Section 7.07 shall survive the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

     To secure the Company's  payment  obligations in this Section,  the Trustee
shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property  held or collected
by the  Trustee,  except  that held in trust to pay  principal  and  interest on
particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture.

     When the  Trustee  incurs  expenses or renders  services  after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i) hereof occurs,  the expenses and the
compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and
counsel)  are  intended  to  constitute  expenses  of  administration  under any
Bankruptcy Law.

     The Trustee  shall  comply with the  provisions  of TIA S 313(b)(2)  to the
extent applicable.

SECTION 7.08. REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.

     A  resignation  or removal of the  Trustee and  appointment  of a successor
Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor  Trustee's  acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section.

     The  Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be  discharged  from the
trust  hereby  created by so notifying  the  Company.  The Holders of Notes of a
majority  in  principal  amount of the then  outstanding  Notes may  remove  the
Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing.  The Company may
remove the Trustee if:

     (a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

     (b) the  Trustee is  adjudged a bankrupt  or an  insolvent  or an order for
relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

     (c) a  custodian  or public  officer  takes  charge of the  Trustee  or its
property; or

     (d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

<PAGE>

     If the Trustee  resigns or is removed or if a vacancy  exists in the office
of Trustee  for any  reason,  the  Company  shall  promptly  appoint a successor
Trustee.  Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office,  the Holders
of a majority in principal  amount of the then  outstanding  Notes may appoint a
successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

     If a  successor  Trustee  does not take  office  within  60 days  after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed,  the retiring Trustee,  the Company,  or
the Holders of Notes of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding
Notes may petition any court of competent  jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Trustee.

     If the Trustee,  after written request by any Holder of a Note who has been
a Holder of a Note for at least six months,  fails to comply with Section  7.10,
such Holder of a Note may petition any court of competent  jurisdiction  for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

     A successor  Trustee shall deliver a written  acceptance of its appointment
to the  retiring  Trustee and to the  Company.  Thereupon,  the  resignation  or
removal of the  retiring  Trustee  shall  become  effective,  and the  successor
Trustee  shall have all the rights,  powers and duties of the Trustee under this
Indenture.  The successor  Trustee shall mail a notice of its  succession to the
Holders of the Notes. The retiring Trustee shall promptly  transfer all property
held by it as Trustee to the successor  Trustee,  provided all sums owing to the
Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section
7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER, ETC.

     If the Trustee  consolidates,  merges or converts into, or transfers all or
substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another  corporation,  the
successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

SECTION 7.10. ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.

     There  shall at all  times be a  Trustee  hereunder  that is a  corporation
organized and doing  business  under the laws of the United States of America or
of any state  thereof that is authorized  under such laws to exercise  corporate
trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million
as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

     This Indenture  shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the  requirements
of TIA S 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA S 310(b).

<PAGE>

SECTION 7.11. PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.

     The Trustee is subject to TIA S 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship
listed in TIA S 311(b).  A Trustee  who has  resigned or been  removed  shall be
subject to TIA S 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.


                                  ARTICLE 8
                    LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01. OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

     The Company  may, at the option of its Board of  Directors  evidenced  by a
resolution  set forth in an Officers'  Certificate,  at any time,  elect to have
either  Section  8.02 or 8.03  hereof be applied to all  outstanding  Notes upon
compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

SECTION 8.02. LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE.

     Upon the  Company's  exercise  under  Section  8.01  hereof  of the  option
applicable  to  this  Section  8.02  and  subject  to  the  satisfaction  of the
conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, the Company shall be deemed to have
been discharged from its  obligations  with respect to all outstanding  Notes on
the date the  conditions  set forth  below are  satisfied  (hereinafter,  "Legal
Defeasance")  and  the  obligations  of  the  Guarantors  under  the  Subsidiary
Guarantees,  if any,  then  existing  shall  concurrently  terminate.  For  this
purpose,  Legal  Defeasance  means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid
and discharged the entire  Indebtedness  represented by the  outstanding  Notes,
which shall  thereafter be deemed to be  "outstanding"  only for the purposes of
Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture  referred to in (a)
and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other  obligations under such Notes
and this  Indenture  (and the  Trustee,  on demand of and at the  expense of the
Company,  shall execute proper instruments  acknowledging the same),  except for
the  following  provisions  which shall survive  until  otherwise  terminated or
discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive,
solely from the trust fund  described in Section 8.04 hereof,  and as more fully
set forth in such Section,  payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if
any,  and interest on such Notes when such  payments are due, (b) the  Company's
obligations  with respect to such Notes under  Articles 2 and 7 and Section 4.02
hereof,  (c) the rights,  powers,  trusts,  duties and immunities of the Trustee
hereunder and the  Company's  obligations  in connection  therewith and (d) this
Article 8. Subject to  compliance  with this Article 8, the Company may exercise
its option  under this Section 8.02  notwithstanding  the prior  exercise of its
option under Section 8.03 hereof.

SECTION 8.03. COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

     Upon the  Company's  exercise  under  Section  8.01  hereof  of the  option
applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall,  subject to the satisfaction
of the  conditions  set forth in  Section  8.04  hereof,  be  released  from its

<PAGE>

obligations  under the covenants  contained in Sections 4.07,  4.08, 4.09, 4.10,
4.11,  4.12, 4.13 and 4.15 hereof with respect to the  outstanding  Notes on and
after  the  date  the  conditions  set  forth  in  Section  8.04  are  satisfied
(hereinafter,  "Covenant Defeasance"),  and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed
not  "outstanding"  for  the  purposes  of any  direction,  waiver,  consent  or
declaration  or act  of  Holders  (and  the  consequences  of  any  thereof)  in
connection  with such covenants,  but shall continue to be deemed  "outstanding"
for all other purposes  hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not
be deemed  outstanding  for  accounting  purposes).  For this purpose,  Covenant
Defeasance  means that, with respect to the outstanding  Notes,  the Company may
omit to  comply  with and  shall  have no  liability  in  respect  of any  term,
condition or  limitation  set forth in any such  covenant,  whether  directly or
indirectly,  by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or
by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or
in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default
or an Event of Default  under  Section  6.01  hereof,  but,  except as specified
above,  the  remainder  of this  Indenture  and such Notes  shall be  unaffected
thereby.  In addition,  upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of
the option  applicable to this Section 8.03,  subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions  set forth in Section 8.04 hereof,  the Company's  failure to perform
its obligations  pursuant to Sections 4.07,  4.08,  4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13
and 4.15  hereof  shall not  result in an Event of Default  pursuant  to Section
6.01(d) hereof,  nor shall Sections 6.01(e) or 6.01(f) hereof  constitute Events
of Default. In connection with any Covenant Defeasance,  the Company may, at its
option,  by written  notice  given to the Trustee  prior to the  delivery to the
Trustee of the Opinion of Counsel  referred to in Section 8.04(c) hereof,  elect
that any or all of the  Subsidiary  Guarantees,  if any,  then  existing will be
terminated  on the date the  obligations  set forth in Section  8.04  hereof are
satisfied.  If no  such  notice  is  given  to the  Trustee  with  respect  to a
Subsidiary  Guarantee,  such Subsidiary Guarantee shall remain in full force and
effect following such Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 8.04. CONDITIONS TO LEGAL OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE.

     The following  shall be the conditions to the application of either Section
8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

     (a) the Company must  irrevocably  deposit with the Trustee,  in trust, for
the  benefit  of the  Holders  of the  Notes,  cash in  United  States  dollars,
non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as
will  be  sufficient,  in  the  opinion  of  a  nationally  recognized  firm  of
independent public  accountants,  to pay the principal of, premium,  if any, and
interest on the  outstanding  Notes on the Stated  Maturity or on the applicable
redemption  date,  as the case may be, and the Company must specify  whether the
Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

     (b) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company shall
have  delivered  to the  Trustee an  Opinion  of  Counsel  in the United  States
reasonably  acceptable  to the  Trustee  confirming  that  (A) the  Company  has
received  from, or there has been published by, the Internal  Revenue  Service a
ruling or (B) since the date of this  Indenture,  there has been a change in the
applicable  federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based
thereon  such  Opinion  of  Counsel  shall  confirm  that,  the  Holders  of the
outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes  as a result of such  Legal  Defeasance  and will be subject to federal

<PAGE>

income  tax on the same  amounts,  in the same  manner  and at the same times as
would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

     (c) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company shall
have  delivered  to the  Trustee an  Opinion  of  Counsel  in the United  States
reasonably  acceptable  to  the  Trustee  confirming  that  the  Holders  of the
outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes as a result of such Covenant  Defeasance and will be subject to federal
income  tax on the same  amounts,  in the same  manner  and at the same times as
would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

     (d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on
the date of such  deposit  (other  than a Default or Event of Default  resulting
from the  borrowing  of funds to be  applied  to such  deposit)  or,  insofar as
Sections  6.01(h)  or  6.01(i)  hereof is  concerned,  at any time in the period
ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;

     (e) such Legal  Defeasance  or  Covenant  Defeasance  shall not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or
instrument  (other  than  this  Indenture)  to which the  Company  or any of its
Subsidiaries  is bound  including,  without  limitation,  the  Revolving  Credit
Agreement and the Gold Consignment Agreement;

     (f) the Company  shall have  delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that after the 91st day  following  the  deposit,  the trust funds
will not be  subject  to the effect of any  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally;

     (g)  the  Company  shall  have   delivered  to  the  Trustee  an  Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent
of preferring the Holders of Notes over any other  creditors of the Company with
the intent of defeating,  hindering,  delaying or defrauding any other creditors
of the Company or others; and

     (h)  the  Company  shall  have   delivered  to  the  Trustee  an  Officers'
Certificate  and an  Opinion  of  Counsel,  each  stating  that  all  conditions
precedent  provided  for or relating  to the Legal  Defeasance  or the  Covenant
Defeasance have been complied with.

SECTION 8.05.  DEPOSITED  MONEY AND  GOVERNMENT  SECURITIES TO BE HELD IN TRUST;
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

     Subject to  Section  8.06  hereof,  all money and  non-callable  Government
Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other
qualifying  trustee,  collectively  for  purposes  of  this  Section  8.05,  the
"Trustee")  pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding  Notes
shall be held in trust  and  applied  by the  Trustee,  in  accordance  with the
provisions of such Notes and this Indenture,  to the payment, either directly or
through any Paying Agent  (including  the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the
Trustee  may  determine,  to the  Holders  of such  Notes of all sums due and to
become due thereon in respect of principal,  premium, if any, and interest,  but
such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required
by law.

<PAGE>
     The Company  shall pay and  indemnify  the Trustee  against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable  Government
Securities  deposited  pursuant  to Section  8.04  hereof or the  principal  and
interest  received  in respect  thereof  other  than any such tax,  fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

     Anything in this  Article 8 to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  the Trustee
shall  deliver or pay to the  Company  from time to time upon the request of the
Company any money or non- callable Government  Securities held by it as provided
in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally  recognized firm of
independent  public  accountants  expressed in a written  certification  thereof
delivered  to the Trustee  (which may be the  opinion  delivered  under  Section
8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required
to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 8.06. REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.

     Any money  deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent,  or then held by
the Company,  in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium,  if any, or
interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal,
and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the
Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from
such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as a secured creditor,
look only to the Company for payment  thereof,  and all liability of the Trustee
or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money,  and all liability of the
Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease;  provided,  however, that the
Trustee or such Paying Agent,  before being required to make any such repayment,
may at the expense of the Company  cause to be published  once,  in the New York
Times and The Wall Street  Journal  (national  edition),  notice that such money
remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified  therein,  which shall not be
less  than 30 days  from  the  date of such  notification  or  publication,  any
unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 8.07. REINSTATEMENT.

     If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars
or non-  callable  Government  Securities  in  accordance  with  Section 8.02 or
Section 8.03  hereof,  as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of
any  court  or  governmental  authority  enjoining,   restraining  or  otherwise
prohibiting  such  application,   then  the  Company's  obligations  under  this
Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had
occurred  pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 hereof until such time as the
Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance  with
Section  8.02 or Section  8.03 hereof,  as the case may be;  provided,  however,
that,  if the Company  makes any payment of principal  of,  premium,  if any, or
interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company
shall be  subrogated  to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such
payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

<PAGE>


                                  ARTICLE 9
                        AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

SECTION 9.01. WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES.

     Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee
may amend or supplement  this  Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any
Holder of a Note:

     (a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

     (b) to  provide  for  uncertificated  Notes in  addition  to or in place of
certificated Notes or to alter the provisions of Article 2 hereof (including the
related  definitions) in a manner that does not materially  adversely affect any
Holder;

     (c) to  provide  for the  assumption  of the  Company's  (and  Guarantors')
obligations to the Holders of the Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation
or sale of all or substantially  all of the Company's (and  Guarantors')  assets
pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 hereof;

     (d) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits
to the Holders of the Notes or that does not  adversely  affect the legal rights
hereunder of any Holder of the Note; and

     (e) to comply with  requirements  of the  Commission  in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

     Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of
Directors  authorizing  the  execution  of  any  such  amended  or  supplemental
Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section
7.02(b) hereof,  the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors,  if
any, in the  execution of any amended or  supplemental  Indenture  authorized or
permitted  by the terms of this  Indenture  and to make any further  appropriate
agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall
not be  obligated  to enter into such  amended or  supplemental  Indenture  that
affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 9.02. WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS OF NOTES.

     Except as provided  below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee
may  amend  or  supplement  this  Indenture  and the  Notes  and any  Subsidiary
Guarantees may be amended or supplemented  with the consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal  amount of the Notes then  outstanding  (including
consents  obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange
offer for, Notes),  and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof,  any existing
Default  or Event of  Default  (other  than a Default or Event of Default in the
payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a

<PAGE>

payment  default  resulting  from an  acceleration  that has been  rescinded) or
compliance  with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with
the  consent  of the  Holders  of a  majority  in  principal  amount of the then
outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of,
tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).  The determination as to which Notes
are considered to be "outstanding"  for purposes of this  Section 9.02  shall be
made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.08 hereof.

     Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of
Directors  authorizing  the  execution  of  any  such  amended  or  supplemental
Indenture,  and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the
Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by
the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall
join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture
unless such amended or supplemental Indenture directly affects the Trustee's own
rights,  duties or immunities  under this Indenture or otherwise,  in which case
the Trustee may in its  discretion,  but shall not be  obligated  to, enter into
such amended or supplemental Indenture.

     It shall not be  necessary  for the  consent of the  Holders of Notes under
this Section 9.02 to approve the  particular  form of any proposed  amendment or
waiver,  but it shall be  sufficient  if such  consent  approves  the  substance
thereof.

     After an  amendment,  supplement  or  waiver  under  this  Section  becomes
effective,  the Company  shall mail to the Holders of Notes  affected  thereby a
notice briefly  describing the amendment,  supplement or waiver.  Any failure of
the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein,  shall not, however,  in
any way  impair or affect  the  validity  of any such  amended  or  supplemental
Indenture or waiver.  Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a
majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the Notes then outstanding may waive
compliance  in a particular  instance by the Company with any  provision of this
Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an
amendment or waiver  under this Section 9.02 may not (with  respect to any Notes
held by a non-consenting Holder):

     (a) reduce the  principal  amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver;

     (b) reduce the  principal  of or change the fixed  maturity  of any Note or
alter the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes;

     (c) reduce the rate of or change the time for  payment of  interest  on any
Note;

     (d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of  principal  of or
premium,  if any, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of  acceleration
of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount
of the  Notes  and a waiver  of the  payment  default  that  resulted  from such
acceleration);

     (e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;

     (f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers
of past  Defaults  or the  rights of Holders  of Notes to  receive  payments  of
principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes;

<PAGE>

     (g) waive a redemption  payment with respect to any Note or make any change
in Sections 4.10,  4.15,  6.04 or 6.07 hereof or in the foregoing  amendment and
waiver provisions.

SECTION 9.03. COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.

     Every  amendment or supplement to this  Indenture or the Notes shall be set
forth in a amended or supplemental  Indenture that complies with the TIA as then
in effect.

SECTION 9.04. REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS.

     Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it
by a Holder of a Note is a continuing  consent by the Holder of a Note and every
subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as
the consenting Holder's Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any
Note.  Any such Holder of a Note or subsequent  Holder of a Note,  however,  may
revoke the  consent as to its Note if the  Trustee  receives  written  notice of
revocation  before  the  date  the  waiver,   supplement  or  amendment  becomes
effective.  An amendment,  supplement or waiver becomes  effective in accordance
with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder of a Note.

SECTION 9.05. NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF NOTES.

     The  Trustee  may  place  an  appropriate   notation  about  an  amendment,
supplement  or waiver  on any Note  thereafter  authenticated.  The  Company  in
exchange  for all Notes may issue and the  Trustee  shall,  upon  receipt  of an
Authentication  Order,  authenticate  new  Notes  that  reflect  the  amendment,
supplement or waiver.

     Failure  to make the  appropriate  notation  or issue a new Note  shall not
affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.06. TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC.

     The Trustee  shall sign any amended or  supplemental  Indenture  authorized
pursuant to this Article 9 if the  amendment or  supplement  does not  adversely
affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company
may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until the Board of Directors
approves it. In executing  any amended or  supplemental  indenture,  the Trustee
shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully
protected  in relying  upon,  in addition to the  documents  required by Section
11.04 hereof,  an Officer's  Certificate  and an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the  execution  of such  amended or  supplemental  indenture  is  authorized  or
permitted by this Indenture.

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE 10
                              SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES

SECTION 10.01 APPLICATION.

     The  provisions  of Sections  10.02  through  10.06  hereof  shall apply in
respect of (a) each Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Subsidiary organized
under the laws of a  jurisdiction  other than the United States of America,  its
territories and  possessions,  any State thereof or the District of Colombia) to
which the Company conveys, transfers,  contributes,  sells, leases or assigns or
otherwise  distributes  any  tangible  property or assets after the date of this
Indenture and (b) each Subsidiary of the Company which is acquired or created by
the Company after the date of this Indenture, in either case, in any transaction
or series of transactions  involving  aggregate value or consideration in excess
of $10.0 million;  provided,  however,  that for the purposes of determining the
applicability  of this  Article 10, the value of property or assets  (other than
cash)  transferred to any such Subsidiary of the Company in exchange for cash in
an  amount  equal to the  fair  market  value of such  property  or  assets,  as
determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Company  and  evidenced  by a
resolution set forth in an Officers'  Certificate  and delivered to the Trustee,
shall be excluded.

SECTION 10.02 GUARANTEE.

     Subject to this Article 10, the Company shall cause each of the Guarantors,
jointly and  severally,  unconditionally  to  guarantee to each Holder of a Note
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors
and assigns,  irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture,
the Notes or the obligations of the Company  hereunder or thereunder,  that: (a)
the  principal of and  interest on the Notes will be promptly  paid in full when
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest
on the overdue  principal of and interest on the Notes,  if any, if lawful,  and
all other  obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or
thereunder  will be promptly paid in full or performed,  all in accordance  with
the  terms  hereof  and  thereof;  and (b) in case of any  extension  of time of
payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will
be promptly paid in full when due or performed in  accordance  with the terms of
the  extension  or  renewal,  whether at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or
otherwise.  The Company shall cause each Guarantor,  failing payment when due of
any amount so guaranteed or any  performance so guaranteed for whatever  reason,
to be jointly and severally  obligated to pay the same immediately.  The Company
shall cause each  Guarantor  further to agree that such guarantee is a guarantee
of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

     The  Company  shall  further  cause  each  Guarantor  (i) to agree that its
obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be unconditional,  irrespective
of the validity,  regularity or  enforceability  of the Notes or this Indenture,
the  absence  of any action to  enforce  the same,  any waiver or consent by any
Holder of the Notes  with  respect  to any  provisions  hereof or  thereof,  the
recovery of any judgment against the Company,  any action to enforce the same or
any other  circumstance  which might  otherwise  constitute a legal or equitable
discharge  or  defense of a  guarantor;  (ii) to waive  diligence,  presentment,

<PAGE>

demand of payment,  filing of claims with a court in the event of  insolvency or
bankruptcy of the Company,  any right to require a proceeding  first against the
Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever;  and (iii) to covenant that
its Subsidiary  Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance
of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

     If any  Holder or the  Trustee is  required  by any court or  otherwise  to
return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian,  trustee,  liquidator or
other  similar  official  acting  in  relation  to  either  the  Company  or any
Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or any Guarantor either to the Trustee
or to  such  Holder,  each  Subsidiary  Guarantee,  to  the  extent  theretofore
discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

     The Company shall  further cause each  Guarantor to agree that (i) it shall
not be  entitled  to any right of  subrogation  in  relation  to the  Holders in
respect  of any  obligations  guaranteed  hereby  until  payment  in full of all
obligations  guaranteed hereby,  and (ii) as between the Guarantors,  on the one
hand,  and the Holders and the Trustee,  on the other hand,  (x) the maturity of
the  obligations  guaranteed by the Subsidiary  Guarantees may be accelerated as
provided  in  Article 6 hereof for the  purposes  of the  Subsidiary  Guarantees
notwithstanding  any  stay,  injunction  or other  prohibition  preventing  such
acceleration  in  respect  of  the  obligations  guaranteed  by  the  Subsidiary
Guarantees,  and (y) in the event of any  declaration  of  acceleration  of such
obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof,  such  obligations  (whether or not
due and payable)  shall  forthwith  become due and payable by the Guarantors for
the purpose of the Subsidiary Guarantees. The Guarantors shall have the right to
seek contribution from any non- paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such
right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.

SECTION 10.03 LIMITATION ON GUARANTOR LIABILITY.

     By its execution of its Subsidiary  Guarantee,  each Guarantor,  and by its
acceptance of Notes, each Holder,  confirms that it is the intention of all such
parties  that the  Subsidiary  Guarantee  of such  Guarantor  not  constitute  a
fraudulent  transfer or  conveyance  for  purposes of any  Bankruptcy  Law,  the
Uniform Fraudulent  Conveyance Act, the Uniform  Fraudulent  Transfer Act or any
similar  federal  or  state  law  to the  extent  applicable  to any  Subsidiary
Guarantee.  To effectuate the foregoing  intention,  the Trustee and the Holders
hereby irrevocably agree, and by its execution of its Subsidiary  Guarantee each
Guarantor shall irrevocably  agree, that the obligations of such Guarantor under
its  Subsidiary  Guarantee  and this Article 10 shall be limited to such maximum
amount  as will,  after  giving  effect  to such  maximum  amount  and all other
contingent and fixed  liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such
laws,  and  after  giving  effect to any  collections  from,  rights to  receive
contribution  from or payments  made by or on behalf of any other  Guarantor  in
respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result
in the  obligations  of  such  Guarantor  under  its  Subsidiary  Guarantee  not
constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

<PAGE>

SECTION 10.04 EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE.

     To  evidence  its  Subsidiary  Guarantee,  the  Company  shall  cause  each
Guarantor to agree that a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee substantially in
the form  included  in Exhibit D hereto  shall be endorsed by an Officer of such
Guarantor on each Note  authenticated  and  delivered by the Trustee on or after
the date of such  Guarantee.  Further,  the Company  shall cause each  Guarantor
promptly  to  execute  a  supplemental  indenture  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit E hereto.

     The Company shall further cause each Guarantor to agree that its Subsidiary
     Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure
to
endorse on each Note a notation of such Subsidiary Guarantee.

     If an Officer  whose  signature  is on any  Subsidiary  Guarantee no longer
holds that office at the time the Trustee  authenticates  the Note on which such
Subsidiary  Guarantee  is endorsed,  such  Subsidiary  Guarantee  shall be valid
nevertheless.

     The delivery of any Note by the Trustee,  after the authentication  thereof
hereunder,   shall   constitute  due  delivery  of  each  Subsidiary   Guarantee
theretofore  or  thereafter  executed  and  delivered  by or on  behalf  of  the
Guarantors or any of them.

     In the event that the  Company  creates or  acquires  any new  Subsidiaries
subsequent  to the  date  of  this  Indenture,  the  Company  shall  cause  such
Subsidiaries to execute supplemental indentures to this Indenture and Subsidiary
Guarantees in accordance with this Article 10.

SECTION 10.05 GUARANTORS MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC., ON CERTAIN TERMS.

     No Guarantor  may  consolidate  with or merge with or into  (whether or not
such Guarantor is the surviving  Person)  another  corporation,  Person or other
entity whether or not affiliated  with such Guarantor  unless (i) subject to the
provisions of Section  10.06 hereof,  the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation  or  merger  (if  other  than  such  Guarantor)  assumes  all  the
obligations of such Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee,  the Notes and the
Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory  to the  Trustee;  (ii) immediately  after  giving  effect  to such
transaction,  no Default or Event of Default exists; and (iii) the Company would
be permitted  immediately  after giving effect to such  transaction  to incur at
least $1.00 of  additional  Indebtedness  pursuant to the Fixed Charge  Coverage
Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof.

SECTION 10.06 RELEASES FOLLOWING SALE OF ASSETS.

     In the  event of a sale or other  disposition  of all of the  assets of any
Guarantor  (other than to the Company or another  Guarantor),  by way of merger,
consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital
Stock of any Guarantor  (other than to the Company or another  Guarantor),  then
such  Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other  disposition,  by way of such a

<PAGE>

merger,  consolidation  or  otherwise,  of all  of the  Capital  Stock  of  such
Guarantor) or the corporation  acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or
other  disposition of all of the assets of such  Guarantor) will be released and
relieved  of any  obligations  under  its  Subsidiary  Guarantee  and  any  such
acquiring  corporation  will not be required to assume any  obligations  of such
Guarantor under the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee;  provided that such sale or
other  disposition  complies with all  applicable  provisions of this  Indenture
including, without limitation, Section 4.10 hereof.

     Any  Guarantor  not  released  from its  obligations  under its  Subsidiary
Guarantee  shall remain  liable for the full amount of principal of and interest
on the  Notes  and for  the  other  obligations  of such  Guarantor  under  this
Indenture as provided in this Article 10.

SECTION 10.07 TRANSFERS OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS.

     If the Company or any Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  of the Company  proposes to
convey,  transfer,  contribute,  sell,  lease or assign or otherwise  distribute
(collectively,  "transfer") any  intellectual  property or similar assets to any
other  Subsidiary  of the  Company  after the date of this  Indenture,  (i) such
transfer  shall be made only to another  Wholly Owned  Subsidiary of the Company
and (ii) prior to or concurrently with such transfer, the Company or such Wholly
Owned  Subsidiary  effecting such transfer shall enter into a license  agreement
with such other Wholly Owned Subsidiary in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B
(with such  modifications as may be agreed to by the Trustee and the Company (or
the Trustee and such Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  of the  Company,  as the case may
be)),  pursuant to which the Company or such Wholly Owned  Subsidiary  effecting
such  transfer,  as the case may be, shall be permitted to utilize such property
or assets in the same manner and to the same  extent as such  property or assets
were used by such entity prior to the transfer thereof.

                                  ARTICLE 11
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 11.01. TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.

     If any provision of this Indenture limits,  qualifies or conflicts with the
duties imposed by TIA S 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

SECTION 11.02. NOTICES.

     Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to
the  others is duly  given if in writing  and  delivered  in person or mailed by
first class mail  (registered or certified,  return receipt  requested),  telex,
telecopier  or overnight  air courier  guaranteeing  next day  delivery,  to the
other's address:

<PAGE>

                  If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

                  Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation
                  529 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York  10175
                  Telecopier No.: (212) 808-2800
                  Attention: Secretary and Corporate Counsel

                  With a copy to:

                  Tenzer Greenblatt LLP
                  405 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, New York  10174
                  Attention:  James Martin Kaplan

                  If to the Trustee:

                  Marine Midland Bank
                  140 Broadway, 12th Floor
                  New York, New York  10005
                  Telecopier No. (212) 658-6425
                  Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

     The Company,  any  Guarantor or the Trustee,  by notice to the others,  may
designate   additional  or  different   addresses  for  subsequent   notices  or
communications.

     All notices and communications  (other than those sent to Holders) shall be
deemed to have been duly given:  at the time  delivered by hand,  if  personally
delivered;  five  Business  Days  after  being  deposited  in the mail,  postage
prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed;  when receipt  acknowledged,
if telecopied;  and the next Business Day after timely  delivery to the courier,
if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

     Any  notice or  communication  to a Holder  shall be mailed by first  class
mail,  certified or registered,  return receipt  requested,  or by overnight air
courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept
by the  Registrar.  Any notice or  communication  shall also be so mailed to any
Person described in TIA S 313(c),  to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to
mail a notice or  communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect
its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

     If a notice or  communication is mailed in the manner provided above within
the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

     If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders,  it shall mail a
copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

<PAGE>

SECTION 11.03. COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS OF NOTES WITH OTHER HOLDERS OF NOTES.

     Holders may  communicate  pursuant to TIA S 312(b) with other  Holders with
respect to their rights  under this  Indenture  or the Notes.  The Company,  the
Trustee,  the  Registrar  and  anyone  else  shall  have the  protection  of TIA
S 312(c).

SECTION 1.04. CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

     Upon any request or  application  by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

     (a) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory
to the Trustee  (which shall include the  statements  set forth in Section 11.05
hereof)  stating that, in the opinion of the signers,  all conditions  precedent
and covenants,  if any, provided for in this Indenture  relating to the proposed
action have been satisfied; and

     (b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably  satisfactory to
the Trustee  (which  shall  include the  statements  set forth in Section  11.05
hereof)  stating  that,  in the  opinion of such  counsel,  all such  conditions
precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

SECTION 11.05. STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION.

     Each  certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant  provided  for in this  Indenture  (other than a  certificate  provided
pursuant to TIA  S 314(a)(4))  shall comply with the  provisions of TIA S 314(e)
and shall include:

     (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read
such covenant or condition;

     (b) a brief  statement  as to the  nature and scope of the  examination  or
investigation   upon  which  the  statements  or  opinions   contained  in  such
certificate or opinion are based;

     (c) a statement  that,  in the opinion of such  Person,  he or she has made
such  examination  or  investigation  as is  necessary  to enable  him or her to
express an informed  opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been satisfied; and

     (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such  Person,  such
condition or covenant has been satisfied.

SECTION 11.06. RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS.

     The  Trustee  may make  reasonable  rules for  action by or at a meeting of
Holders.  The  Registrar  or  Paying  Agent  may make  reasonable  rules and set
reasonable requirements for its functions.

<PAGE>

SECTION  11.07.  NO PERSONAL  LIABILITY OF  DIRECTORS,  OFFICERS,  EMPLOYEES AND
STOCKHOLDERS.

     No past,  present or future director,  officer,  employee,  incorporator or
stockholder  of  the  Company,  as  such,  shall  have  any  liability  for  any
obligations  of the Company  under the Notes or this  Indenture or for any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such  obligations  or their  creation.
Each Holder by  accepting a Note waives and  releases  all such  liability.  The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

SECTION 11.08. GOVERNING LAW.

     THE  INTERNAL  LAW OF THE  STATE OF NEW YORK  SHALL  GOVERN  AND BE USED TO
CONSTRUE  THIS  INDENTURE,  THE NOTES  AND THE  SUBSIDIARY  GUARANTEES,  IF ANY,
WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE  APPLICATION  OF THE LAWS OF  ANOTHER  JURISDICTION  WOULD BE  REQUIRED
THEREBY.

SECTION 11.09. NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS.

     This  Indenture may not be used to interpret any other  indenture,  loan or
debt agreement of the Company or its  Subsidiaries  or of any other Person.  Any
such  indenture,  loan or debt  agreement  may  not be  used to  interpret  this
Indenture.

SECTION 11.10. SUCCESSORS.

     All  agreements  of the Company in this  Indenture and the Notes shall bind
its  successors.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its
successors.

SECTION 11.11 SEVERABILITY.

     In case any  provision in this  Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid,
illegal or  unenforceable,  the  validity,  legality and  enforceability  of the
remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 11.12 COUNTERPART ORIGINALS.

     The  parties may sign any number of copies of this  Indenture.  Each signed
copy  shall  be an  original,  but  all of them  together  constitute  the  same
agreement.

SECTION 11.13. TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC.

     The Table of Contents,  Cross-Reference  Table and Headings of the Articles
and Sections of this Indenture  have been inserted for  convenience of reference
only,  are not to be  considered  a part of this  Indenture  and shall in no way
modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

                         [Signatures on following page]

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


                                   
Dated as of April 24, 1998             FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION


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


Attest:/s/Bruce E. Zurlnick
                                        


 
Name:  Bruce E. Zurlnick
Title: Treasurer





Dated as of April 24, 1998             MARINE MIDLAND BANK, as Trustee





                                       By: Frank Godino
                                           -----------------------------------  
                                           Name:  Frank Godino
                                           Title: Vice President


<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT A
                                 (Face of Note)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          CUSIP/CINS 317887AB3

                        8 3/8% Senior Note due May 1, 2008

No.                                                             $_____________  


     Finlay  Fine  Jewelry  Corporation  promises to pay to  _______________  or
registered assigns, the principal sum of _______________ Dollars on May 1, 2008.

Interest Payment Dates: May 1 and November 1.

Record Dates: April 15 and October 15.

     Reference is hereby made to the further  provisions  of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof,  which further provisions shall for all purposes have the
same effect as if set forth at this place.

                                              FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION


                                              By:_____________________________ 
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:


                                              By:_____________________________ 
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

This is one of the [Global]
Notes referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture:

MARINE MIDLAND BANK, as Trustee


By:_________________________                                         
   Name:
   Title:

Dated:______________, 1998


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                                 (Back of Note)

                        8 3/8% Senior Note due May 1, 2008

     Capitalized  terms used herein shall have the meanings  assigned to them in
the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

     1. INTEREST.  Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation,  a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"),  promises to pay interest on the principal  amount of this Note at 8
3/8% per annum  from  April 24,  1998  until  maturity.  The  Company  shall pay
interest semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, or if any
such day is not a Business  Day, on the next  succeeding  Business  Day (each an
"Interest Payment Date"). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent
date to which  interest  has been paid or, if no  interest  has been paid,  from
April 24, 1998;  provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of
interest,  and if this Note (other than Note No. 1) is  authenticated  between a
record  date  referred to on the face  hereof and the next  succeeding  Interest
Payment Date,  interest shall accrue from such next succeeding  Interest Payment
Date; provided,  further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be November
1, 1998. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue  principal and premium,  if any,
from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate
then in effect; it shall pay interest (including  post-petition  interest in any
proceeding  under  any  Bankruptcy  Law) on  overdue  installments  of  interest
(without regard to any applicable  grace periods) from time to time on demand at
the same rate to the extent lawful.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

     2. METHOD OF PAYMENT.  The Company  shall pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted  interest) to the Persons who are  registered  Holders of Notes at the
close of  business  on the April 15 or October 15 next  preceding  the  Interest
Payment Date,  even if such Notes are canceled  after such record date and on or
before such  Interest  Payment  Date,  except as provided in Section 2.12 of the
Indenture with respect to defaulted  interest.  Principal,  premium, if any, and
interest  on the Notes will be  payable  at the office or agency of the  Company
maintained  for such  purpose  within  the City and State of New York or, at the
option of the  Company,  payment of interest  may be made by check mailed to the
Holders of the Notes at their respective  addresses set forth in the register of
Holders of Notes; provided that all payments of principal,  premium and interest
with respect to Notes the Holders of which have given wire transfer instructions
to the Company prior to the relevant  record date will be required to be made by
wire transfer of immediately  available  funds to the accounts  specified by the
Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Company, the Company's office
or agency in New York will be the  office  of the  Trustee  maintained  for such
purpose.  Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of
America  as at the time of payment  is legal  tender  for  payment of public and
private debts.

     3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  Initially, Marine Midland Bank, the Trustee
under the  Indenture,  will act as Paying Agent and  Registrar.  The Company may

<PAGE>

change any Paying Agent or Registrar  without notice to any Holder.  The Company
or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

     4.  INDENTURE.  The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of
April 24, 1998 ("Indenture")  between the Company and the Trustee.  The terms of
the Notes  include  those  stated in the  Indenture  and those  made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust  Indenture  Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.
Code SS  77aaa-77bbbb),  as in  effect  on the date on which  the  Indenture  is
qualified  thereunder.  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are
referred to the  Indenture  and such Act for a statement  of such terms.  To the
extent any provision of this Note conflicts  with the express  provisions of the
Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.  The
Notes are  obligations  of the Company  limited to $150.0  million in  aggregate
principal  amount,  subject to the  provisions  of Sections 2.07 and 2.08 of the
Indenture.

     5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. (a) Except as set forth in subparagraph (b) of this
Paragraph 5, the Notes are not  redeemable at the Company's  option prior to May
1, 2003. Thereafter,  the Notes will be subject to redemption at any time at the
option of the Company,  in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than
60 days' notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal
amount)  set forth  below  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  thereon  to the
applicable  redemption  date,  if  redeemed  during  the  twelve-  month  period
beginning on May 1 of the years indicated below:

        Year                                      Percentage
        ----                                      ----------
        2003.........................................104.188%
        2004.........................................102.792%
        2005.........................................101.396%
        2006 and thereafter..........................100.000%

provided,  however, that if the Company, at its option,  specifies in the notice
of redemption provided for in this paragraph 5(a) that such notice is revocable,
then the Company may revoke such notice at its further  option at any time on or
prior to the date which is 10 days prior to the  redemption  date  specified  in
such  notice  (provided  such  notice so  specifies)  by  providing  a notice of
revocation  to the  Trustee  on or  prior to the  date on  which  the  Company's
revocation right expires (and the Trustee shall promptly mail such notice to the
Holders by first class mail).

     (b)  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  until May 1, 2001, the Company may on
any one or more  occasions  redeem up to $50.0  million in  aggregate  principal
amount  of Notes at a  redemption  price of  108.375%  of the  principal  amount
thereof,  plus accrued and unpaid  interest  thereon,  if any, to the redemption
date,  with the net cash  proceeds of Public  Equity  Offerings  by the Company;
provided  that at least $100.0  million in aggregate  principal  amount of Notes
remains  outstanding  immediately  after the occurrence of each such  redemption
(excluding  Notes  held by the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries);  and  provided
further,  that such  redemption  shall occur  within 120 days of the date of the
closing of such Public Equity Offering.

<PAGE>

     6.  MANDATORY  REDEMPTION.  Except as set forth in  Paragraph 7 below,  the
Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect
to the Notes. There are no sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

     7.  REPURCHASE  AT OPTION OF HOLDER.  (a) If there is a Change of  Control,
each Holder of Notes will have the right to require the Company to make an offer
(a "Change of Control  Offer") to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or
an integral  multiple  thereof) of such Holder's Notes at an offer price in cash
equal to 101% of the aggregate  principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest  thereon,  if any,  to the date of  purchase  (the  "Change  of Control
Payment").  Within 30 days  following  any Change of Control,  the Company shall
mail a notice to each Holder  describing the  transaction or  transactions  that
constitute  the Change of Control and offering to  repurchase  Notes on the date
specified  in such  notice,  which date shall be no earlier  than 30 days and no
later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed  (the  "Change of Control
Payment  Date"),  pursuant  to the  procedures  required  by the  Indenture  and
described in such notice. The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule
14e-1  under the  Exchange  Act and any other  securities  laws and  regulations
thereunder to the extent such laws and  regulations are applicable in connection
with the repurchase of Notes as a result of a Change of Control.

     (b) If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company  consummates  any Asset
Sales,  when the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million,  the
Company  shall be  required  to make an offer to all Holders of Notes (an "Asset
Sale  Offer") to  purchase  the  maximum  principal  amount of Notes that may be
purchased  out of the Excess  Proceeds,  at an offer  price in cash in an amount
equal to 100% of the principal  amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest
thereon, if any, to the date of purchase,  in accordance with the procedures set
forth in the  Indenture.  To the  extent  that  the  aggregate  amount  of Notes
tendered  pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds,  the
Company  shall make an offer to all holders of Senior  Debentures  in accordance
with the  provisions  of Section 3.09 of the Indenture and on the same terms and
conditions  offered to Holders of Notes to purchase the maximum principal amount
of Senior Debentures that may be purchased out of the remaining Excess Proceeds.
To the extent that the aggregate amount of Senior  Debentures  tendered pursuant
to any such offer is less than the remaining Excess Proceeds, the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general  corporate
purposes or otherwise make an investment of such remaining amounts in any manner
that is not prohibited by the Indenture.  If the aggregate  principal  amount of
Notes  tendered  in  connection  with such Asset Sale Offer and  surrendered  by
Holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds,  the Trustee shall select
the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis.  Upon completion of such offer to
purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

     8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed by first class
mail at least 30 days but not more than 60 days  before the  redemption  date to
each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its  registered  address.  Subject to the
Company's  right of  revocation  under  the  Indenture  in  connection  with any
redemption  pursuant to Paragraph 5(a) hereof,  notices of redemption may not be
conditional.  Notes and portions of Notes  selected for  redemption  shall be in
amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000,  except that if all of the Notes

<PAGE>

of a Holder are to be redeemed,  the entire  outstanding amount of Notes held by
such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. If any Note is
to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption  that relates to such Note
shall state the portion of the principal  amount  thereof to be redeemed.  A new
Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed  portion thereof will be issued
in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. On and
after the  redemption  date,  interest  ceases  to  accrue on Notes or  portions
thereof called for redemption.

     9.  DENOMINATIONS,  TRANSFER,  EXCHANGE.  The Notes are in registered  form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The
transfer of Notes may be  registered  and Notes may be  exchanged as provided in
the Indenture.  The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder,  among other
things,  to furnish  appropriate  endorsements  and transfer  documents  and the
Company  may  require  a Holder to pay any  taxes  and fees  required  by law or
permitted  by the  Indenture.  The  Company  is not  required  (a) to issue,  to
register the  transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period  beginning at
the opening of business  15 days  before the day of any  selection  of Notes for
redemption  and ending at the close of business on the day of selection,  (b) to
register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for  redemption  in
whole or in part,  except the  unredeemed  portion of any Note being redeemed in
part or (c) to register  the  transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record
date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

     10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS.  The registered  Holder of a Note may be treated
as its owner for all purposes,  subject to the  provisions of the Indenture with
respect to record dates for the payment of interest.

     11. AMENDMENT,  SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER.  Subject to certain exceptions,  the
Indenture  or the Notes may be amended or  supplemented  with the consent of the
Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
(including, without limitation,  consents obtained in connection with a purchase
of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) and, subject to the provisions
of Sections  6.04 and 6.07 of the  Indenture,  any existing  Default or Event of
Default  (other  than a  Default  or  Event of  Default  in the  payment  of the
principal  of,  premium,  if any,  or  interest  on the Notes,  except a payment
default  resulting from an  acceleration  that has been rescinded) or compliance
with any  provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent
of the Holders of a majority in principal  amount of the Notes then  outstanding
(including, without limitation,  consents obtained in connection with a purchase
of, or tender offer or exchange  offer for,  Notes).  Without the consent of any
Holder of Notes,  the  Company  and the  Trustee  may  amend or  supplement  the
Indenture  or the  Notes to cure any  ambiguity,  defect  or  inconsistency,  to
provide for  uncertificated  Notes in  addition  to or in place of  certificated
Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company's  obligations to Holders of
the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation,  or sale of all or substantially
all of the  Company's  assets,  to  make  any  change  that  would  provide  any
additional  rights  or  benefits  to the  Holders  of the Notes or that does not
adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder,  or to
comply with the  requirements  of the  Commission in order to effect or maintain
the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

<PAGE>

     12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES.  Events of Default  include:  (i) default for 30
days in the payment  when due of interest on the Notes;  (ii) default in payment
when due of the principal of or premium,  if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by
the  Company to comply  with the  provisions  of Sections  3.09,  4.10,  4.15 or
Article 5 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company for 45 days after notice
to comply with any of its other  agreements in the  Indenture or the Notes;  (v)
default  under any mortgage,  indenture or  instrument  under which there may be
issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any  Indebtedness for money
borrowed by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (including any Indebtedness
the payment of which is  guaranteed  by the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries)
other than a Receivables  Subsidiary  whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now
exists,  or is created  after the date of the  Indenture,  which  default (a) is
caused by a failure to pay principal or a premium,  if any, on such Indebtedness
at the Stated Maturity for such payment of principal or premium, if any, or such
later date as has been  agreed in a writing  (provided  such  writing is entered
into prior to such Stated Maturity) by the parties to the documentation relating
to such Indebtedness (a "Payment Default") or (b) results in the acceleration of
such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal
amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such  Indebtedness  under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity
of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $12.5 million or more; (vi) failure
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than a Receivables Subsidiary to
pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $12.5 million,  which judgments are
not paid,  discharged  or stayed for a period of 60 days (or 90 days if prior to
such  sixtieth  day the  Company  has  delivered  to the  Trustee  an  Officers'
Certificate  attesting  that a  financially  responsible  insurance  company  of
recognized  national standing has acknowledged in writing complete liability for
such  judgment  and  attached  a copy of  such  acknowledgment  thereto);  (vii)
repudiation by any Subsidiary of its obligations under any Subsidiary  Guarantee
or, except as permitted by the Indenture, any Subsidiary Guarantee shall be held
in a judicial  proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid in any material respect
or shall cease to be in full force and effect;  (viii) the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  (other than a  Receivables  Subsidiary)  within the meaning of any
Bankruptcy Law (a) commences a voluntary  case,  (b) consents to the entry of an
order  for  relief  against  it in an  involuntary  case,  (c)  consents  to the
appointment  of a  custodian  of it or  for  all  or  substantially  all  of its
property,  (d) makes a general  assignment for the benefit of its creditors,  or
(e)  generally  is not paying its debts as they become due;  and (ix) a court of
competent  jurisdiction  enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that
(a) is for relief against the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  (other than a
Receivables  Subsidiary),  (b) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or for all or  substantially  all of the property of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables  Subsidiary) or (c) orders the
liquidation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  (other than a Receivables
Subsidiary)  and any such order or decree  described in this clause (ix) remains
unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

     In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes because an Event
of Default has occurred and is  continuing  as a result of a Payment  Default or
the  acceleration of any  Indebtedness  described in clause (v) of the preceding
paragraph,  the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be  automatically
annulled if (i) any Payment Default  described in clause (v)(a) of the preceding
paragraph  has been  cured or waived  and (ii) the  holders  of any  accelerated
Indebtedness  described  in  clause  (v)(b)  of  the  preceding  paragraph  have

<PAGE>

rescinded  the  declaration  of  acceleration  in respect of such  Indebtedness,
provided  in each such case that (a) such  cure,  waiver or  rescission  of such
declaration  of  acceleration  shall have been made in writing within 30 days of
the date of such Payment Default or declaration, as the case may be, and (b) the
annulment of the acceleration of such Notes would not conflict with any judgment
or decree of a court of competent  jurisdiction  and (c) all existing  Events of
Default, except nonpayment of principal or interest on the Notes that became due
solely because of the acceleration of the Notes, have been cured or waived.

     A Default under clause (iv) the first paragraph of this Paragraph 12 is not
an  Event of  Default  until  the  Trustee  or the  Holders  of at least  25% in
principal  amount  of the then  outstanding  Notes  give  written  notice to the
Company of the  default and the  Company  does not cure the  Default  within the
period provided in such clause. The notice must specify in reasonable detail the
Default,  demand that it be  remedied  and state that the notice is a "Notice of
Default".  If the  Holders  of 25% or  more  in  principal  amount  of the  then
outstanding  Notes request the Trustee to give such notice on their behalf,  the
Trustee shall do so.

     If any Event of  Default  occurs  and is  continuing,  the  Trustee  or the
Holders of at least 25% in  principal  amount of the then  outstanding  Notes by
written  notice to the  Trustee  and the Company may declare all the Notes to be
due and payable  immediately.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in the case of an
Event of Default  arising under clause (viii) or (ix) of the first  paragraph of
this Paragraph 12, with respect to the Company,  any  Significant  Subsidiary or
any group of  Subsidiaries,  that taken together would  constitute a Significant
Subsidiary,  all  outstanding  Notes will become due and payable without further
action or notice.  Holders of the Notes may not  enforce  the  Indenture  or the
Notes  except as  provided  in the  Indenture.  Subject to certain  limitations,
Holders of a majority  in  principal  amount of the then  outstanding  Notes may
direct the  Trustee  in its  exercise  of any trust or power.  The  Trustee  may
withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing  Default or Event of
Default  (except  a Default  or Event of  Default  relating  to the  payment  of
principal or  interest) if it  determines  that  withholding  notice is in their
interest.  The Holders of a majority in aggregate  principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of
the Notes waive any  existing  Default or Event of Default and its  consequences
under the  Indenture  except a  continuing  Default  or Event of  Default in the
payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.  The Company is required
to deliver to the Trustee  annually a statement  regarding  compliance  with the
Indenture,  and the Company is required  upon  becoming  aware of any Default or
Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement  specifying such Default
or Event of Default.

     In the case of any Event of  Default  occurring  by  reason of any  willful
action (or  inaction)  taken (or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company  with
the intention of avoiding payment of the premium that the Company would have had
to pay if the  Company  then had  elected  to redeem the Notes  pursuant  to the
optional  redemption  provisions of the Indenture,  an equivalent  premium shall
also become and be  immediately  due and payable to the extent  permitted by law
upon the  acceleration  of the Notes. If an Event of Default occurs prior to May
1, 2003 by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or
on behalf of the Company  with the  intention  of avoiding  the  prohibition  on
redemption of the Notes prior to May 1, 2003, then the premium  specified in the
Indenture shall also become  immediately due and payable to the extent permitted
by law upon the acceleration of the Notes.

<PAGE>

     13. TRUSTEE  DEALINGS WITH COMPANY.  The Trustee,  in its individual or any
other capacity,  may make loans to, accept  deposits from, and perform  services
for the Company or its  Affiliates,  and may otherwise  deal with the Company or
its  Affiliates,  as if it were not the  Trustee;  however,  if it acquires  any
conflicting  interest it must eliminate such conflict  within 90 days,  apply to
the Commission for permission to continue or resign.

     14. NO  RECOURSE  AGAINST  OTHERS.  No past,  present  or future  director,
officer,  employee,  incorporator or stockholder of the Company,  as such, shall
have any  liability  for any  obligations  of the Company under the Notes or the
Indenture  or for any claim  based  on, in  respect  of, or by reason  of,  such
obligations  or their  creation.  Each  Holder by  accepting  a Note  waives and
releases  all  such   liability.   The  waiver  and  release  are  part  of  the
consideration for the issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to
waive  liabilities  under the federal  securities laws and it is the view of the
Commission that such a waiver is against public policy.

     15. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

     16.  ABBREVIATIONS.  Customary  abbreviations  may be used in the name of a
Holder or an  assignee,  such as:  TEN COM (=  tenants  in  common),  TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties),  JT TEN (-- joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian),  and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).

     17.  CUSIP  NUMBERS.  Pursuant  to  a  recommendation  promulgated  by  the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification  Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP  numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP  numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.  No representation is made
as to the  accuracy  of such  numbers  either  as  printed  on the  Notes  or as
contained  in any notice of  redemption  and  reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

     18.  ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION.  The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon
written  request and without charge a copy of the Indenture  and/or the Security
and Pledge Agreement. Requests may be made to:

                  Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation
                  529 Fifth Avenue
                  New York, New York  10017
                  Attention:  Secretary and Corporate Counsel


<PAGE>


                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign  this Note,  fill in the form below:  (I) or (we) assign and  transfer
this Note to

________________________________________________________________________________
                  (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
              (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)


     and irrevocably appoint __________________________ to transfer this Note on
the books of the  Company.  The agent may  substitute  another to act for him or
her.

                                                                               

Date:____________

                                         Your Signature:______________________ 
                                         (Sign exactly as your name appears on 
                                          the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee.*



* NOTICE:  The signature must be guaranteed by an institution  which is a member
           of one of the following recognized signature guarantee programs:

           (1)  The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP);
           (2)  The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MSP);
           (3)  The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP).




<PAGE>


                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

     If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to
Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the box below:

                  |_| Section 4.10  |_|Section 4.15

     If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture,  state the amount you
elect to have purchased (if all, write "ALL"): $_________




Date:__________         Your Signature:________________________________________ 
                                             (Sign exactly as your name appears 
                                             on the Note)

                        Tax Identification No:_________________________________

Signature Guarantee.*





* NOTICE:  The signature must be guaranteed by an institution  which is a member
           of one of the following recognized signature guarantee programs:

           (1)   The Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program (STAMP);
           (2)   The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program (MSP);
           (3)   The Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP).



<PAGE>



              SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE
 
     The  following  exchanges  of a part of this Global Note for an interest in
another Global Note or for a Definitive  Note, or exchanges of a part of another
Global Note or  Definitive  Note for an interest in this Global Note,  have been
made:



                                                 Principal                    
                                                  Amount                       
               Amount of       Amount of         of this                      
              decrease in     increase in         Global         Signature of
               Principal       Principal         Debenture        authorized
               Amount of       Amount of      following such       officer
   Date of    this Global     this Global      decrease (or     of Trustee or
  Exchange     Debenture       Debenture         increase)        Custodian
  --------     ---------       ---------         ---------        ---------






















___________________________
1/ This should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B
                     [FORM OF TRADE NAME LICENSE AGREEMENT]


     Trade Name License Agreement (this "Agreement"),  dated as of ____________,
________,  between  [_____________],  a corporation organized and existing under
the  laws  of  [state]  (the  "Licensor"),  and  [____________],  a  corporation
organized and existing under the laws of [state] (the "Licensee").

     Whereas, the Licensee is the owner of certain trade names and service marks
shown on Schedule A hereto and has utilized such trade names and services  marks
in the operation of jewelry departments or stores and related activities; and

     Whereas,  on the date hereof Licensee has sold,  transferred,  conveyed and
assigned its right, title and interest to use such trade names and service marks
and goodwill  associated  therewith in the United States (but not  elsewhere) to
Licensor; and

     Whereas,  pursuant  to the  Indenture  dated as of April __,  1998  between
Finlay  Fine  Jewelry  Corporation  and Marine  Midland  Bank,  as trustee  (the
"Indenture"), relating to Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation's __% Senior Notes due
2008 (the "Senior Notes"),  in connection with such sale,  transfer,  conveyance
and assignment, Licensee and Licensor are required to enter into this Agreement;
and

     Whereas,  the Licensee desires to obtain, and the Licensor desires to grant
to the Licensee,  an exclusive right to use the Licensed Trade Names (as defined
in  Section 1)  in the  Territory  (as defined in Section 1) on or in connection
with the  operation  of jewelry  departments  or stores and related  purchasing,
consigning,   merchandising,   selling,   marketing,   promoting,   advertising,
distributing,  manufacturing,  importing  of or  other  activities  relating  to
jewelry upon the terms and conditions set forth below;

     Now  therefore,  to effect  the  foregoing,  the  parties  hereto  agree as
follows:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.

     "Affiliate" as used herein means,  with respect to either party, any entity
controlling, controlled by or under common control with such party. For purposes
of the foregoing  definition,  the term "control" (and correlative  terms) means
the power,  whether by contract,  equity  ownership or otherwise,  to direct the
policies or management of an entity.

     "Governmental  Authority" as used herein means any federal,  state, county,
local or other  governmental  department,  regulatory body,  commission,  board,
bureau, agency or instrumentality.

<PAGE>


     "Licensed Products" as used herein means jewelry products which are sold in
jewelry  departments  or stores  operated by the Licensee or any other  products
sold in any other venue with the prior approval of the Licensor.

     "Licensed  Trade  Names" as used  herein  means the trade names and service
marks shown on Schedule A attached hereto.

     "Licensee" as used herein means the Licensee,  its  Affiliates  (other than
the Licensor), sublicensees and successors to the Licensee's business.

     "Parties" as used herein means the Licensor and the Licensee.

     "Quality"  as used herein means  products  marketed and promoted as quality
items which meet or exceed the quality standards set forth in Section 4 below.

     "Revenues"  as used herein means gross  revenues  generated by sales of the
Licensed  Products in the  Territory  less sales taxes,  shipping,  freight,  or
transport  charges if  separately  stated on an  invoice;  actual  discounts  or
allowances to customers; and returns in the normal course of business.

     "Territory"  as used  herein  means  the  United  States  of  America,  any
political   subdivisions   thereof  and  its  territories,   commonwealths   and
possessions.

     SECTION 2. GRANT TO THE LICENSEE AND RELATED MATTERS.

     (a)  Exclusivity.  The Licensor  hereby grants to the  Licensee,  except as
otherwise  provided  herein,  an  exclusive  right in the  Territory  to use the
Licensed Trade Names in connection with the operation of jewelry departments and
stores whether now existing or hereafter established and the related purchasing,
consigning,   merchandising,   selling,   marketing,   promoting,   advertising,
distributing,  manufacturing,  importing of or other activities  relating to the
Licensed Products.

     (b)  Reserved  Rights.  All rights in the  Licensed  Trade Names other than
those  specifically  granted herein are reserved to the Licensor for its own use
and benefit.

     (c) Ownership.  The parties  acknowledge  and agree that the Licensed Trade
Names  are the  sole  and  exclusive  property  of the  Licensor.  The  Licensee
acknowledges and agrees that the Licensee shall not acquire any right,  title or
interest  in or to  the  Licensed  Trade  Names  as a  result  of  this  License
Agreement,  or the  Licensee's  use thereof,  or as a result of any other act or
thing,  that the Licensee shall not attack the Licensor's  title to or ownership
of the Licensed Trade Names, and that all use of the Licensed Trade Names by the
Licensee and all goodwill  generated  thereby  shall inure to the benefit of the
Licensor.  The  Licensee  shall not use or register or claim rights in any trade
name, trade dress or other indicia confusingly  similar, in whole or in part, to
the Licensed Trade Names.

<PAGE>

     (d)  Sublicenses.  The Licensee  shall not grant any  sublicense to use the
Licensed Trade Names,  other than to Licensee's  Affiliates  without the express
prior written approval of the Licensor.

     (e)  Royalty  Provisions.  Upon  receipt of an invoice  from the  Licensor,
Licensee  agrees to pay the Licensor a royalty  equal to [___  percent  (__%) of
Revenues  generated  from sales of the Licensed  Products by the Licensee in the
Territory.]

     (f) Statements and Payments.

     (i) Licensor has the option to request payment of such royalties at the end
of each six-month  period by sending an invoice to Licensee.  Within thirty (30)
days  after  receipt  of such  invoice,  Licensee  shall  furnish  a  statement,
certified as accurate by an officer of Licensee,  showing in  reasonable  detail
Licensee's  sales of the Licensed  Products,  applicable  allowances or credits,
uncollectible  amounts,   invoiced  free  or  sample  items  distributed  and  a
calculation  of Revenues  for the  Licensed  Products,  as well as the amount of
royalties payable with respect to such prior six month period.

     (ii) Acceptance by the Licensor of any statement  furnished or royalty paid
shall not preclude the Licensor from  questioning  its  correctness  and, if any
inconsistencies or mistakes are discovered, they shall immediately be rectified.

     (iii) All payments made by Licensee  hereunder  will be paid to Licensor or
its designee in United States Dollars.

     (iv) The Licensee shall pay interest on any overdue  royalty payment at the
prime  rate in  effect  on the  date on which  such  payment  was due,  and such
interest shall accrue from the date on which such payment was due.

     (v) If the  Licensee  does not receive an invoice  from the  Licensor,  all
royalties due and payable shall be paid within thirty (30) days after  receiving
the next invoice,  together with interest on such royalties at the prime rate in
effect on the date such  payment was  initially  due,  and such  interest  shall
accrue from the date on which such payment was due.

     (g) Audit.

     (i) The Licensee  shall keep  complete  and  accurate  records and books of
account at its principal place of business covering all transactions relating to
this Agreement, and the Licensor and/or its duly authorized representative shall
have the right,  during regular business hours and upon ten (10) days reasonable
notice,  at least once quarterly,  to examine such books and all other documents
and  materials  in  Licensee's  possession  or  control  with  respect  to  this
Agreement. Neither Licensor nor any of its representatives shall disclose to any
other person,  firm or corporation any information  acquired as a result of such
examination, provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed
to prevent  Licensor and/or  Licensee or their duly  authorized  representatives
from  testifying  in any court of  competent  jurisdiction  with  respect to the
information  obtained  as a  result  of  any  such  examination  in  any  action
instituted to enforce the rights of Licensor under the terms of this  Agreement.
If such an audit reveals an  underpayment  by the Licensee,  the Licensee  shall

<PAGE>

immediately remit payment to the Licensor in the amount of the underpayment plus
interest  calculated  at the  prime  rate  then in  effect  from the  date  such
payment(s)  were actually due. If such  underpayment  is greater than __% of the
royalties  payable for the audited  period,  the Licensee  shall  reimburse  the
Licensor for the costs and expenses of such audit.

     (ii) All books of account  and  records of the  Licensee  relating  to this
Agreement shall be retained for at least two (2) years after termination of this
Agreement.

     SECTION 3. METHOD OF USE OF THE LICENSED TRADE NAMES.

     (a) Use.  The  Licensee  acknowledges  that the  Licensed  Trade Names have
acquired a valuable  secondary  meaning and  goodwill to  department  stores and
vendors in the retail jewelry market place. Accordingly, the Licensee undertakes
and agrees not to use the Licensed Trade Names in any manner  whatsoever  which,
directly or indirectly, would derogate or detract from its repute or which would
dilute,  demean,  ridicule or reflect adversely upon the Licensed Trade Names or
the Licensor,  it being mutually agreed that use by the Licensee of the Licensed
Trade Names in the manner  being used on the date hereof  shall meet  Licensor's
standards.  The Licensee  acknowledges that the Licensed Trade Names have become
associated  generally  with  products and  services  that possess a positive and
quality  image,  and the Licensee  agrees not to use the Licensed Trade Names in
any manner  inconsistent  with such image.  The  Licensee  agrees to utilize the
Licensed  Trade Names in a Quality  manner in  connection  with the operation of
jewelry  departments or stores and the  purchasing,  consigning,  merchandising,
selling,  marketing,  promoting,   advertising,   distributing,   manufacturing,
importing of or other activities relating to the Licensed Products.

     (b) Form and Manner.  Except as may be otherwise  specifically  provided in
this  Agreement,  the  Licensee  may not (i) make any  change in the form of the
Licensed Trade Names,  (ii) use any partial  version of the Licensed Trade Names
at any  time  for  any  purpose,  or  (iii)  use the  Licensed  Trade  Names  in
combination,  juxtaposition  or  conjunction  with,  or as part  of,  any  other
trademarks,  service  marks or trade names  without the  express  prior  written
approval of the Licensor,  which approval may not be unreasonably  withheld,  it
being  mutually  agreed that use by the Licensee of the Licensed  Trade Names in
the manner being used on the date hereof shall meet  Licensor's  standards.  Any
mark approved  pursuant to this paragraph  shall be owned solely and exclusively
by the  Licensor  and after  approval  shall be  deemed a  Licensed  Trade  Name
pursuant to this Agreement.

     (c) Marking.  The Licensee  shall apply such trade name notices,  copyright
notices or other markings in connection  with the Licensed Trade Names as may be
necessary or  reasonably  deemed  desirable  by the  Licensor  under the laws or
regulations  of each  jurisdiction  of the Territory  where such Licensed  Trade
Names are used.

 
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 4. QUALITY STANDARDS.

     (a) Quality.  The Licensee shall not sell any Licensed  Products or operate
any jewelry  departments or stores or conduct  related  activities in connection
with the Licensed Trade Names that shall fail to meet the quality  standards and
specifications employed in connection with use of the Licensed Trade Names as of
the  date  hereof  or such  additional  standards  or  specifications  as may be
reasonably specified by the Licensor from time to time, it being mutually agreed
that use by the Licensee of the Licensed Trade Names in the manner being used on
the date hereof shall meet  Licensor's  standards.  The Licensee  shall  operate
jewelry  departments or stores or conduct related  activities in connection with
the Licensed  Trade Names only in a manner that will protect the  reputation  of
the Licensed Trade Names.

     (b) On Site  Inspections.  Upon  reasonable  notice,  the  Licensor  or its
representatives  shall  have  access  for  inspection  purposes  to the  jewelry
departments or stores operated by Licensee during regular business hours at such
time or times as to not unduly  interfere with the operations of the Licensee to
determine  compliance with quality control  standards.  If any inspection of any
premises  reveals  that the  Licensee  has  failed  to comply  with the  quality
standards  or  other  requirements  of this  Section 4,  the  Licensor  shall be
entitled  to  reinspect  such  premises  until  receipt of notice of cure by the
Licensee.  All expenses of  conducting  such  inspections  shall be borne by the
Licensor.

     (c)  Governmental  Inquiries.  The Licensee  shall  immediately  notify the
Licensor  in writing of any  investigation,  inquiry,  claim or  sanction by any
Governmental  Authority  regarding any quality,  labeling,  advertising or other
regulatory  matter relating to the Licensed Products and shall keep the Licensor
advised of the progress and findings of such investigation or inquiry.

     (d) Compliance;  Fitness for Use. The Licensee shall be solely  responsible
for and  shall  comply  with  all  laws,  rules  and  regulations,  if  any,  of
Governmental Authorities in connection with the operation of jewelry departments
or  stores  in  connection  with  the  Licensed  Trade  Names  and  the  related
purchasing,   consigning,    merchandising,   selling,   marketing,   promoting,
advertising,  distributing,  manufacturing,  importing  of or  other  activities
relating to any goods or services.

     SECTION 5. TERM.

     The term of this License Agreement shall commence as of the date hereof and
continue  until the earlier of (a) the date on which none of the Senior Notes is
outstanding  and all obligations of Finlay Fine Jewelry  Corporation   under the
Indenture  have  been  satisfied  in  full,  (b)  the  date  on  which  Licensee
permanently  ceases  operating  jewelry  departments  and stores and the related
purchasing,   consigning,    merchandising,   selling,   marketing,   promoting,
advertising,  distributing,  manufacturing,  importing  of or  other  activities
relating to the Licensed Products,  or (c) the date on which the Licensor sells,
transfers,  conveys and assigns to the  Licensee  all of the  Licensor's  right,
title and interest in and to the Licensed Trade Names.  Upon the  termination of
this Agreement,  all the rights of the Licensee  hereunder  shall  automatically
revert to the  Licensor,  the parties  shall perform all other acts which may be
necessary or useful to render  effective the  termination of the interest of the
Licensee in the Licensed Trade Names, and the Licensee shall execute any

<PAGE>

assignment,  conveyance,  acknowledgment or other document that the Licensor may
require,  relinquishing  or  conveying  to the Licensor any and all rights to or
interest  in use of the  Licensed  Trade  Names  that the  Licensee  has and any
goodwill  associated  therewith.  Without any limitation of the  foregoing,  the
Licensee hereby  consents to any  application  which the Licensor may make, upon
termination of this Agreement,  to limit or terminate the Licensee's status as a
registered user and hereby irrevocably agrees not to contest,  oppose or dispute
such application.

     SECTION 6. REMEDIES.

     (a) In the event of a breach of this Agreement,  the aggrieved party's sole
and exclusive remedy shall be specific performance of this Agreement,  including
any  injunctive  relief  necessary  to  effect  such  specific  performance.  In
particular and without any  limitation of the foregoing,  the Licensor shall not
institute  litigation  against  any  person or entity  for  infringement  of any
Licensed  Trade  Name  based  in whole or in part on any  activities  or  rights
covered or protected  by this  Agreement,  and  Licensee  shall not commence any
action seeking a declaration of invalidity,  unenforceability or noninfringement
of any  registrations  or  applications  covering  the  Licensed  Trade Names or
asserting any rights to the Licensed Trade Names or any mark or name confusingly
similar thereto.

     (b) The parties  further agree that this Agreement and the license  granted
herein may under no  circumstances  be rescinded and may be  terminated  only as
expressly provided in Section 5 above.

     SECTION 7. PROTECTION OF THE LICENSED TRADE NAMES.

     (a)  Maintenance.  The Licensor  shall  maintain at its expense each of the
registrations  for the Licensed Trade Names shown on Schedule A, if any, in full
force and effect as long as this Agreement continues in effect, and the Licensee
agrees to provide  such  assistance  and  documentation  as is required for such
maintenance.  The Licensor shall file such  additional  applications as Licensee
shall reasonably request to protect the Licensed Trade Names, and Licensor shall
diligently  prosecute such applications and maintain any  registrations  issuing
thereon.

     (b) Infringement.  The Licensee shall notify the Licensor of any suspected,
actual  or  threatened  infringement  of or act of unfair  competition  or other
harmful or wrongful  activities  of third  parties  with respect to the Licensed
Trade Names as to which it has notice.  The Licensee  shall  cooperate  with the
Licensor  with  respect  to any  action to be taken with  respect  thereto.  The
Licensor  will  have  the  obligation  to take  whatever  steps  are  reasonably
necessary  or  desirable  to  protect  the  Licensed  Trade  Names from any such
infringement or other harmful or wrongful  activities of third parties and shall
have the right to control any  litigation or other  proceeding  undertaken by it
for any such  purpose.  Such steps may  include  the filing and  prosecution  of
(i) litigation  against  infringement  or unfair  competition  by third parties,
(ii) opposition  proceedings  to oppose  applications  for trade name or service
mark  registration for marks that are confusingly  similar to any one or more of
the  Licensed  Trade  Names,  and   (iii) cancellation   proceedings  to  cancel

<PAGE>

registration of trade names or service marks that are confusingly similar to any
one or more of the Licensed Trade Names.

     (c) Claims Against the Licensee.  The Licensee  shall  promptly  notify the
Licensor of any claim of infringement or any complaint based upon the Licensee's
use of the Licensed  Trade Names and of any suit,  action or proceeding  brought
against the Licensee  based upon said claim or complaint,  and the provisions of
Section 10 shall apply.

     SECTION 8. RECORDATION OF AGREEMENT.

     The parties shall cooperate to determine and comply with applicable laws or
regulations  throughout  the  Territory  with  respect  to the  recordation  of,
validation  of, or otherwise to render  effective this  Agreement.  In countries
having registered user or license  recordation  requirements,  the parties shall
execute  all  documents  which may be  necessary  to record  the  Licensee  as a
registered  user or licensee  for the  Licensed  Trade  Names,  and all costs of
preparing and  recording  any  necessary  documents or other costs in connection
therewith shall be borne by the Licensee.

     SECTION 9. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

     (a) Representations and Warranties of the Licensor. The Licensor represents
and warrants as follows:

(i)  Due Organization  and Power of the Licensor.  The Licensor is a corporation
     duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of
     [state] and has all requisite  corporate  power and authority to enter into
     this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.

(ii) Authorization  and Validity of the Agreement.  The execution,  delivery and
     performance by the Licensor of this Agreement and the consummation by it of
     the transactions  contemplated hereby has been duly authorized by its Board
     of Directors and, if necessary,  its  shareholders,  and no other corporate
     action on the part of the Licensor is necessary for the execution, delivery
     and  performance by the Licensor of this Agreement and the  consummation by
     the Licensor of the transactions  contemplated  hereby.  This Agreement has
     been  duly  executed  and  delivered  by the  Licensor,  and  this  License
     Agreement  is the legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of the  Licensor,
     enforceable  against  the  Licensor in  accordance  with and subject to its
     terms except as may be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,
     fraudulent  conveyance or transfer,  moratorium,  or other similar laws and
     equitable principles relating to or limiting creditor's rights generally.

(iii)No Conflict.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance by the Licensor of
     this  Agreement and the  consummation  by the Licensor of the  transactions
     contemplated  hereby does not and will not (A) violate any provision of any
     federal,  state,  local or foreign law,  rule or  regulation  or any order,
     injunction,  judgment or decree applicable to the Licensor; (B) require any

<PAGE>

     consent or  approval  of, or filing  with or notice  to,  any  Governmental
     Authority  under any provision of law applicable to the Licensor other than
     filings under  applicable  trade name laws or except as may be contemplated
     under any  provision of this  Agreement;  (C) violate  any provision of the
     Certificate of Incorporation or By- Laws or other constituent  documents of
     the  Licensor;  or  (D) require  any  consent,  approval  or notice  under,
     conflict with, or result in the breach, lapse,  cancellation or termination
     of, or result in the  acceleration  (whether  after the filing of notice or
     the lapse of time or both) of any right or obligation of or the performance
     by the  Licensor  under,  or result in a loss of any  benefit  to which the
     Licensor is entitled  under,  or constitute a default under any  indenture,
     mortgage, deed of trust, lease, license,  franchise,  contract,  agreement,
     concession or other instrument to which the Licensor is a party or by which
     it, or any of its  assets,  are bound or  encumbered,  where the failure to
     obtain such  consent,  approval or notice or the  occurrence  of any of the
     matters  referred  to in this  subsection  (D) would  materially  adversely
     affect the Licensee's rights hereunder.

Except as  expressly  provided  above in this  Section 9(a) or elsewhere in this
Agreement,  the Licensor makes no other  representations or warranties regarding
this Agreement or the rights Licensed hereunder.

     (b)  Representations  and of  Warranties  of  the  Licensee.  The  Licensee
represents and warrants as follows:

(i)  Due Organization  and Power of the Licensee.  The Licensee is a corporation
     duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good standing  under the laws of
     [state] and has all requisite  corporate  power and authority to enter into
     this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder.

(ii) Authorization  and Validity of the Agreement.  The execution,  delivery and
     performance by the Licensee of this Agreement and the consummation by it of
     the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by its Board
     of Directors,  and no other corporate action on the part of the Licensee is
     necessary for the  execution,  delivery and  performance by the Licensee of
     this  Agreement and the  consummation  by the Licensee of the  transactions
     contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
     the Licensee, and this Agreement is the legal, valid and binding obligation
     of the Licensee,  enforceable  against the Licensee in accordance  with and
     subject to its terms  except as may be limited by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,
     reorganization,  fraudulent  conveyance  or transfer,  moratorium  or other
     similar laws and equitable  principles  relating to or limiting  creditors'
     rights generally.

(iii)No Conflict.  The  execution,  delivery and  performance by the Licensee of
     this  Agreement and the  consummation  by the Licensee of the  transactions
     contemplated  hereby does not and will not (A) violate any provision of any
     federal,  state,  local or foreign law,  rule or  regulation  or any order,
     injunction,  judgment or decree applicable to the Licensee; (B) require any

<PAGE>

     consent or  approval  of, or filing  with or notice  to,  any  Governmental
     Authority   under  any  provision  of  law   applicable  to  the  Licensee;
     (C) violate any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws or
     other  constituent  documents of the Licensee;  or (D) require any consent,
     approval or notice under,  conflict  with, or result in the breach,  lapse,
     cancellation  or  termination  of, or result in the  acceleration  (whether
     after  the  filing  of notice or the lapse of time or both) of any right or
     obligation of or the performance by the Licensee under, or result in a loss
     of any benefit to which the  Licensee is entitled  under,  or  constitute a
     default  under any  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of trust,  lease,  license,
     franchise, contract, agreement, concession or other instrument to which the
     Licensee  is a party  or by  which  it or any of its  assets  are  bound or
     encumbered, where the failure to obtain such consent, approval or notice or
     the  occurrence  of any of  the  matters  referred  to in  this  subsection
     (D) would materially adversely affect the Licensee's rights hereunder..

     SECTION 10. INDEMNIFICATION.

     (a) By the Licensor. The Licensor shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the  Licensee  from and against  and in respect of any and all  claims,  losses,
damages,   expenses,   obligations,   penalties,   demands,  suits,  procedures,
assessments,  judgments,  costs and liabilities  (including costs of collection,
investigation, reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of defense) ("Losses")
incurred  by  it,   arising  out  of  or  resulting   from  any  breach  of  any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Licensor herein.

     (b) By the Licensee. The Licensee shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the Licensor and its  Affiliates  from and against and in respect of any and all
Losses  incurred by them  arising  out of or  resulting  from any  breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Licensee herein.

     (c)  Procedure.  If a claim by a third party is made against an indemnified
party,  the indemnified  party shall promptly notify the  indemnifying  party of
such claim.  Failure to so notify the  indemnifying  party shall not relieve the
indemnifying  party of any liability  which the  indemnifying  party might have,
except to the extent that such failure  materially  prejudices the  indemnifying
party's  legal  rights.  The  indemnifying  party  shall have  thirty days after
receipt of such notice to undertake, conduct and control, through counsel of its
own choosing (subject to the consent of the indemnified  party, such consent not
to be  unreasonably  withheld) and at its expense,  the settlement or defense of
such claim,  and the  indemnified  party shall  cooperate with the  indemnifying
party in connection  therewith;  provided,  however,  that (i) the  indemnifying
party shall permit the  indemnified  party to participate in such  settlement or
defense through counsel chosen by the indemnified party,  provided that the fees
and  expenses  of such  counsel  shall  be borne by the  indemnified  party  and
(ii) the  indemnifying  party shall reimburse the indemnified party for the full
amount of any Loss resulting from such claim and all related  expenses  incurred
by the  indemnified  party  within  the  limits of this  Section  10 as such are
incurred.  Notwithstanding  anything  contained herein,  the indemnifying  party
shall not enter into any  settlement  without  the  consent  of the  indemnified
party,  unless  the  settlement  involves  the  payment  of  money  only and the
indemnified  party is solely  liable for payment of said  money.  So long as the
indemnifying  party is reasonably  contesting any such claim in good faith,  the
indemnified  party shall not pay or settle any such claim.  Notwithstanding  the

<PAGE>

foregoing,  the indemnified party shall have the right to pay or settle any such
contested claim  (provided that such  settlement  does not adversely  affect any
rights of the indemnifying  party with respect to the Licensed Trade Names), but
in such event it shall  automatically  waive any right to indemnity  therefor by
the  indemnifying   party.  If  the  indemnifying  party  does  not  notify  the
indemnified  party within thirty days after receipt of the  indemnified  party's
notice of a claim of indemnity hereunder that it elects to undertake the defense
thereof, or so notifies the indemnified party but fails to undertake or maintain
such defense  promptly and in good faith,  the indemnified  party shall have the
right  to  contest,  settle  or  compromise  the  claim in the  exercise  of its
reasonable judgment and without prejudice to the rights of the indemnified party
to indemnification hereunder.

     (d)  Survival.   The  provisions  of  this  Section 10  shall  survive  the
termination or expiration of this Agreement.

     SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS.

     (e) Notices.  Except as otherwise provided herein,  all notices,  requests,
demands,  waivers and other  communications  required or  permitted  to be given
under this  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given if delivered  personally  or by overnight  courier with  delivery  charges
prepaid,  or mailed by certified or registered mail,  postage  prepaid,  receipt
requested, or sent by telecopy, as follows:

                  If to the Licensor, to it at:

                  __________________________________             

                  __________________________________  
                  
                  __________________________________   

                  __________________________________
                  
                  __________________________________ 


                                                       
                                                            
<PAGE>

                  with a copy to:

                  __________________________________  
                  
                  __________________________________
                                                     
                  __________________________________  
                  
                  __________________________________ 

                  __________________________________  
                                                              
                                                           
                                                         
                  If to the Licensee, to it at:

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________


                  with a copy to:

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________

                  __________________________________ 


or to such other  person or address as either  party shall  specify by notice in
writing to the other party.  All such notices,  requests,  demands,  waivers and
communications shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery.

     (f) Binding Effect;  Benefit.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding  upon the  parties  hereto and their  respective  successors  and
permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement,  expressed or implied, is intended

<PAGE>


to  confer on any  person  other  than the  parties  hereto or their  respective
successors and assigns, any rights,  remedies,  obligations or liabilities under
or by reason of this Agreement.

     (g) Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  (including  the  Schedule  hereto)
constitutes the entire agreement  between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject   matter  hereof  and   supersedes   all  other  prior   agreements  and
understandings, oral and written, between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof.

     (h)  Assignability.  This  Agreement  shall  be  freely  assignable  by the
Licensee to any  successor of the  Licensee's  business  which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Licensee with respect to the operation of jewelry  departments
and the  related  purchasing,  consigning,  merchandising,  selling,  marketing,
promoting,  advertising,  distributing,  manufacturing,  importing  of or  other
activities relating to jewelry products.  This Agreement shall not be assignable
by the Licensor.

     (i) Relationship of the Parties.  This Agreement shall in no way constitute
or give rise to a partnership,  joint venture or agency between the parties,  it
being  acknowledged and agreed that the relationship  created hereby is strictly
that of  licensor  and  licensee.  Except as may be  expressly  provided  to the
contrary  herein,  nothing in this  Agreement  shall  constitute or be deemed to
constitute  either party as the legal  representative or agent of the other, nor
shall either  party have the right or  authority to assume,  create or incur any
liability or any obligation of any kind,  express or implied,  in the name of or
on behalf of the other party.

     (j) Amendment and  Modification;  Waiver.  Subject to applicable  law, this
Agreement  (including  Schedule  A hereto)  may only be  amended,  modified  and
supplemented by written instrument  expressly  identified as an amendment hereto
authorized  and  executed by the  Licensor and the Licensee at any time prior to
the  termination  hereof with respect to any of the terms contained  herein.  No
waiver by any party of any of the  provisions  hereof shall be effective  unless
explicitly set forth in writing and executed by the party so waiving. The waiver
by any party  hereto of a breach of any  provision of this  Agreement  shall not
operate  or be  construed  as a waiver of any  other or  subsequent  breach.  No
failure  on the  part of  either  party  hereto  to  exercise,  and no  delay in
exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.

     (k) Further  Assurances.  From time to time, pursuant to the request of the
Licensee  delivered to the Licensor,  the Licensor,  at the Licensee's  expense,
shall execute and deliver such  instruments  and documents and take such actions
as the Licensee may reasonably request in order to allow the Licensee the use of
the  Licensed  Trade Names  contemplated  hereby or  otherwise  to carry out the
purposes  and  intent  of this  Agreement.  From time to time,  pursuant  to the
request  of  the  Licensor  delivered  to the  Licensee,  the  Licensee,  at the
Licensor's expense, shall execute and deliver such instruments and documents and
take such  actions  as the  Licensor  may  reasonably  request  to carry out the
purposes and intent of this Agreement.

     (l) Section Headings.  The section headings contained in this Agreement are
inserted  for  reference  purposes  only and shall not  affect  the  meaning  or
interpretation of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

     (m) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several  counterparts,
each of which shall be an  original,  and all of which shall be deemed to be one
and the same agreement.

     (n)  Applicable  Law. This  Agreement and the legal  relations  between the
parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of New York without regard to choice of laws or principles thereof.

     (o)  Severability  of Provisions.  Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction  shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be  ineffective  to the extent of such  prohibition  or  enforceability  without
invalidating  the  remaining  provisions  hereof or  affecting  the  validity or
enforceability of such provisions in any other jurisdiction.


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


                                             [NAME OF LICENSOR]


                                             By:___________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:


                                             [NAME OF LICENSEE]


                                             By:___________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:



<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE A


                              Licensed Trade Names


<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT C
                          FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE

     For good and valuable  consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby  acknowledged,  the  undersigned  Guarantor  (which term includes any
successor   Person  under  the   Indenture)   jointly  and   severally,   hereby
unconditionally guarantees,  subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as
of April 24, 1998 (the  "Indenture")  among Finlay Fine Jewelry  Corporation and
Marine  Midland  Bank,  as trustee  (the  "Trustee"),  but  irrespective  of the
validity and  enforceability of the Indenture,  the Notes and the obligations of
the Company  thereunder,  (a) the due and punctual  payment of the principal of,
premium,  if any,  and  interest  on the Notes (as  defined  in the  Indenture),
whether at maturity,  by  acceleration,  redemption  or  otherwise,  the due and
punctual  payment of  interest on overdue  principal  and  premium,  and, to the
extent permitted by law, interest,  and the due and punctual  performance of all
other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance
with the  terms of the  Indenture  and (b) in case of any  extension  of time of
payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations,  that the same
will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms
of the extension or renewal,  whether at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or
otherwise.  The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the
Trustee pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set
forth in  Article  10 of the  Indenture  and  reference  is  hereby  made to the
Indenture for the precise terms of the  Subsidiary  Guarantee.  Each Holder of a
Note, by accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.


                                          [Name of Guarantor]

                                          By:_______________________________  
                                             Name:
                                             Title:



<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT D
                         FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
                    TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

     SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE  (this  "Supplemental  Indenture"),   dated  as  of
_______________,  among ___________________ (the "Guaranteeing  Subsidiary"),  a
subsidiary of Finlay Fine Jewelry  Corporation (or its permitted  successor),  a
Delaware  corporation (the  "Company"),  the other Guarantors (as defined in the
Indenture  referred to herein) and Marine  Midland  Bank,  as trustee  under the
Indenture referred to below (the "Trustee").

                                   WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS,  the Company has heretofore  executed and delivered to the Trustee
an indenture  (the  "Indenture"),  dated as of April 24, 1998  providing for the
issuance of an aggregate principal amount of up to $150.0 million of 83/8% Notes
due May 1, 2008 (the "Notes");

     WHEREAS,  the  Indenture  provides  that under  certain  circumstances  the
Guaranteeing  Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental
indenture  pursuant to which the Guaranteeing  Subsidiary shall  unconditionally
guarantee all of the Company's  Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on
the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Indenture (the  "Subsidiary
Guarantee"); and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to Sections 9.01 and 9.06 of the Indenture,  the Trustee
is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

     NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing and for other good and
valuable  consideration,  the  receipt  of which  is  hereby  acknowledged,  the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

     1.  Capitalized  Terms.  Capitalized  terms used herein without  definition
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

     2.   Agreement   to   Guarantee.   The   Guaranteeing   Subsidiary   hereby
unconditionally  guarantees  all of the  Company's  Obligations  as set forth in
Article 10 of the  Indenture  in the same manner and to the same extent as if it
had executed the Indenture on the date thereof as Guarantor thereunder.

     3. Continuing  Agreement.  Except as herein amended, all terms,  provisions
and  conditions  of the  Indenture,  all  Exhibits  thereto and all  instruments
executed in  connection  therewith  shall  continue in full force and effect and
shall remain enforceable and binding in accordance with their respective terms.

     4. New York Law to Govern.  THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL
GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS  SUPPLEMENTAL  INDENTURE BUT WITHOUT  GIVING

<PAGE>

EFFECT TO  APPLICABLE  PRINCIPLES  OF  CONFLICTS  OF LAW TO THE EXTENT  THAT THE
APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

     5.  Counterparts.  The  parties  may  sign any  number  of  copies  of this
Supplemental  Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together constitute the same agreement.

     6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only
and shall not affect the construction hereof.

     7.  The  Trustee.  The  Trustee  shall  not be  responsible  in any  manner
whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental
Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals  contained  herein,  all of which
recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto  have  caused  this  Supplemental
Indenture  to be duly  executed  and  attested,  all as of the date first  above
written.

Dated: ______________, ____

                                          [GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]

                                          By: ________________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                          FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION


                                          By: ________________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:

                                          MARINE MIDLAND BANK, as Trustee
    

                                          By: ________________________________
                                              Name:
                                              Title:
 

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT E
                     [FORM OF SUBSIDIARY INTERCOMPANY NOTE]

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$[____________________]                                      New York, New York
                                                             [date]


     FOR  VALUE  RECEIVED,  [_________________],  a  [____________]  corporation

("Borrower"),   promises  to  pay  to  the  order  of  [__________________],   a

[_____________]   corporation   ("Payee"),   [upon  demand  by  the  Payee]  [on

[________________]],  at its office at [____________________],  or at such other

place as Payee may, from time to time,  designate in writing, in lawful money of

the United States of America, in immediately  available funds, the principal sum

of [___________] Dollars ($[_______])  [together with interest thereon at a rate

of [___]% per annum from [___________] until maturity].


     PAYEE AND ANY HOLDER  HEREOF,  BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THIS  PROMISSORY  NOTE,

AGREES  THAT THE  PAYMENT OF THE  PRINCIPAL  OF AND  INTEREST  ON, IF ANY,  THIS

PROMISSORY NOTE IS SUBORDINATED IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE PRIOR PAYMENT IN FULL

IN CASH OF ALL INDEBTEDNESS OF THE BORROWER OTHER THAN INDEBTEDNESS WHICH BY ITS

TERMS IS SUBORDINATE IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO OTHER  INDEBTEDNESS  OF THE BORROWER

("SENIOR DEBT"),  WHETHER  OUTSTANDING ON THE DATE HEREOF OR HEREAFTER  CREATED,

INCURRED,  ASSUMED OR GUARANTEED,  AND THAT THE SUBORDINATION IS FOR THE BENEFIT

OF THE HOLDERS OF THE SENIOR NOTES.


     [Borrower  will pay interest  [semi-annually]  in arrears on [ ] and [ ] of

each year,  or if any such day is not a  Business  Day,  on the next  succeeding

<PAGE>

Business Day (each an "Interest Payment Date"). Interest on this Promissory Note

will accrue from the most recent date to which  interest has been paid or, if no

interest  has been  paid,  from the date of  issuance;  provided  that the first

Interest  Payment Date shall be [ ].  [Borrower  shall pay  interest  (including

post-petition  interest in any proceeding  under any Bankruptcy  Law) on overdue

principal from time to time on demand at a rate that is [ ]% per annum in excess

of the rate then in  effect;  it shall  pay  interest  (including  post-petition

interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue  installments of

interest  (without regard to any applicable  grace periods) from time to time on

demand at the same rate to the extent lawful.]  Interest will be computed on the

basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.]

     Upon any  distribution  to  creditors  of Borrower in an  insolvency  or in

connection with any proceeding  under Bankruptcy Law relating to Borrower or its

property,  (i) holders of Senior  Debt shall be  entitled to receive  payment in

full in cash of all  Obligations  due in respect of such Senior Debt  (including

post-petition interest in any proceeding under Bankruptcy Law) before the holder

hereof  shall be  entitled to receive  any  payment of the  principal  hereof or

interest,  if any, hereon and (ii) until all Obligations  with respect to Senior

Debt are paid in full in cash, any distribution to which the holder hereof would

otherwise be entitled  shall be made to the holders of such Senior Debt on a pro

rata basis.


     Any contrary  provision hereof  notwithstanding,  Borrower may not make any

payment of the principal hereof or interest,  if any, hereon if a default occurs

and is continuing with respect to any Senior Debt.


     Upon the failure of the  Borrower to pay  principal  [or accrued  interest]

when due and at any time  thereafter  [(but  prior to the payment in full of all

<PAGE>


such  accrued  and  unpaid  interest)]  the holder of this  Promissory  Note may

declare the unpaid principal  balance and all accrued and unpaid interest hereon

to be immediately due and payable.


     In the event that any action shall be brought for the  enforcement  hereof,

the undersigned hereby promises to pay all costs and expenses hereof, including,

but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements.


     Borrower's  obligations  hereunder shall be unconditional  and shall not be

subject  to  any  defense  (other  than  prior  payment),   set-off,  deduction,

counterclaim or recoupment whatsoever by Borrower.


     Any  amounts due under this  Promissory  Note may be prepaid at any time or

times in whole or in part without premium or penalty.


     Presentation,  notice of protest, and demand are hereby expressly waived by

the undersigned.


     Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to

such terms in the  Indenture,  dated as of April 24, 1998,  between  Finlay Fine

Jewelry Corporation and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee.


     THE TERMS OF THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED  BY AND  CONSTRUED  IN  ACCORDANCE

WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK  APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS  MADE AND TO BE

PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.


                                        BORROWER


                                        By: ______________________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:






                                 AMENDMENT No. 3

     AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT  No.  3  dated  as of  April  24,  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 add the
following definitions in their proper alphabetical sequence:

     "Acquisition  Facility Advance" shall mean any Revolving Advance which also
constitutes an  Acquisition  Facility  Advance in accordance  with Section 2.1.A
hereof.

<PAGE>

     "Additional Unused Facility Fee" shall mean, as applicable, a nonrefundable
fee, due and payable on the first day of each month, if no Acquisition  Facility
Advance is outstanding,  equal to (i) twenty-five  basis points (.25%) per annum
on the  difference  between  $275,000,000  and the sum of (A) the  average daily
outstanding  principal  balance  of the  Revolving  Loan  during  the  preceding
calendar  month or longer  period and  (B) the  average  daily  Letter of Credit
Obligations  during the preceding  calendar month or longer period,  on such day
(provided that in no event shall such .25% be charged on more than $50,000,000),
or,  if  any  Acquisition  Facility  Advance  is  outstanding,   equal  to  (ii)
thirty-seven  and  one-half  basis  points  (.375%) per annum on the  difference
between $275,000,000 and the sum of (A) the average daily outstanding  principal
balance of the  Revolving  Loan during the  preceding  calendar  month or longer
period and  (B) the  average  daily  Letter of Credit  Obligations  during  such
preceding calendar month or longer period, on such day.

     "New Debenture  Indenture"  shall mean the indenture  dated as of April 24,
1998 between the Parent and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, under which the New
Senior  Debentures were issued,  as such indenture is in effect on the Effective
Date of Amendment No. 3. to this Credit Agreement.

     "New Senior  Debentures"  shall mean the Parent's 9% New Senior  Debentures
due 2008 in the original principal amount of $75,000,000.

     "New Senior Note Indenture"  shall mean the indenture dated as of April 24,
1998 between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee under which the New
Senior Notes were issued,  as such  indenture is in effect on the Effective Date
of Amendment No. 3 to this Credit Agreement.

     "New Senior Notes" shall mean the Company's 8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2008 in
the original principal amount of $150,000,000.

     "Offering  Expenses"  means  Non-recurring   charges,  costs  and  expenses
(including transaction expenses, any write-off of deferred financing costs, debt
discount costs and redemption premiums,  and including interest expense incurred
solely in respect of the Senior Notes and the  Debentures  and solely during the
period prior to the redemption thereof during which the New Senior Notes and the
New Senior Debentures shall also be outstanding) incurred


                                        2


<PAGE>

by the Parent and the Company in  connection  with (a) the Parent's  offering of
its common stock on or about the Effective Date of this Amendment No 3., (b) the
Parent's offering of the New Senior  Debentures,  (c) the Company's  offering of
the New Senior Notes and (d) the related  redemption of the  Debentures  and the
Senior Notes.

     "Permitted  Acquisition"  means any acquisition by the Company to which the
Majority Lenders have delivered their prior written  consent,  which consent may
be withheld in their sole discretion.

     "Permitted Acquisition Request" means the notice, substantially in the form
of Exhibit D hereto,  delivered by the Company to the Agent  requesting that the
Lenders make an Acquisition Facility Advance available to the Company.

     "Security and Pledge Agreement" shall mean that certain Security and Pledge
Agreement dated as of April 24, 1998 between the Parent and Marine Midland Bank.

     "Supplemental  Equity  Offering" shall mean that certain public offering by
the Parent of an  aggregate of  1,800,000  shares of its common stock  (together
with any overallotment shares) (567,310, together with any overallotment shares,
of which are being offered for sale by the Parent,  and the balance of which are
being  offered for sale by  shareholders  of the Parent),  of which the Net Cash
Proceeds to Parent shall be used by the Parent to redeem the Debentures.

     "Third Party  Interactives"  shall mean all Persons with whom Borrowers and
their  Subsidiaries  exchange  data  electronically  in the  ordinary  course of
business,  including,  without  limitation,  customers,  suppliers,  third-party
vendors, subcontractors, processors-converters, shippers and warehousemen.

     "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
Foreign Eligible Inventory and 85% of Eligible  Receivables and Foreign 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



                                        3

<PAGE>


Foreign Eligible Inventory and 85% of Eligible  Receivables and Foreign Eligible
Receivables as provided herein.

     "Year 2000 Assessment" shall mean a comprehensive written assessment of the
nature and extent of Borrowers' and their  Subsidiaries'  Year 2000 Problems and
Year 2000 Date- Sensitive  Systems/Components,  including,  without  limitation,
Year 2000 Problems regarding data exchanges with Third Party Interactives.

     "Year 2000  Corrective  Actions"  shall  mean,  as to  Borrowers  and their
Subsidiaries,  all  actions  necessary  to  eliminate  such  Persons'  Year 2000
Problems,   including,  without  limitation,   computer  code  enhancements  and
revisions,    upgrades   and   replacements   of   Year   2000    Date-Sensitive
Systems/Components,  and coordination of such enhancements,  revisions, upgrades
and replacements with Third Party Interactives.

     "Year 2000 Corrective Plan" shall mean, with respect to Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries,  a  comprehensive  plan to eliminate all of their  respective Year
2000 Problems on or before December 31, 1998,  including without  limitation (i)
computer code  enhancements or revisions,  (ii) upgrades or replacements of Year
2000 Date-Sensitive  Systems/Components,  (iii) test and validation  procedures,
(iv) an  implementation  time line and budget and (v)  designation  of  specific
employees who will be responsible for planning,  coordinating  and  implementing
each phase or subpart of the Year 2000 Corrective Plan.

     "Year 2000  Date-Sensitive  System/Component  shall mean, as to any Person,
any  system,  software,  network  software  applications  software,  data  base,
computer file, embedded microchip,  firmware or hardware that accepts,  creates,
manipulates, sorts, sequences,  calculates, compares or outputs calendar related
data accurately;  such systems and components shall include, without limitation,
mainframe  computers,   fileserver/client  systems,  computer-related  software,
firmware or hardware and information processing and delivery systems of any kind
and  telecommunications  systems and other communications  processors,  security
systems, alarms, elevators and HVAC Systems.

     "Year 2000  Implementation  Testing" shall mean, as to any Person,  (i) the
performance of test and  validation  procedures  regarding Year 2000  Corrective
Actions on a unit basis and on a systemwide  basis; (ii) the performance of test
and  validation   procedures   regarding  data  exchanges  among  Borrowers  and
Borrowers' and their Subsidiaries' Year 2000 Date- Sensitive  Systems/Components
and data  exchanges  with  Third  Party  Interactives,  and (iii) the design and
implementation of additional Year 2000 Corrective Actions the need for which has
been demonstrated by test and validation procedures.

     "Year 2000  Problems"  shall mean,  with  respect to  Borrowers'  and their
Subsidiaries',  limitations  on the capacity or  readiness of any such  Person's
Year 2000 Date-  Sensitive  Systems/Components  to  accurately  accept,  create,
manipulate, sort, sequence,  calculate, compare, control or output calendar date
information  with respect to calendar year 1999 or any subsequent  calendar year
beginning  on or after  January  1,  2000  (including  leap  year  computations)
including,  without  limitation,  exchanges of information among Year 2000 Date-
Sensitive Systems/Components of Borrowers' and their Subsidiaries' and exchanges
of  information   among   Borrowers  and  their   Subsidiaries   and  Year  2000
Date-Sensitive  systems/Components of Third Party Interactives and functionality
of peripheral interfaces, firmware and embedded microchips.

     (b) the  definition  of  "Borrowing  Base"  contained in Section 1.1 of the
Credit Agreement shall be amended by adding the following  immediately after the
penultimate   sentence  in  the  first  full   paragraph   of  such   definition
"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%)."

     (c) the definition of "Revolving Credit Facility  Commitment"  contained in
Section  1.1 of the Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by  deleting  the amount
"$225,000,000" contained therein and substituting "$275,000,000" therefor;

     (d) the following  Section 2.1.A shall be added  immediately  following the
last full sentence of Section 2.1(v) of the Credit Agreement:



                                        4
<PAGE>







         "S 2.1.A          ACQUISITION FACILITY.

     (a) At the request of the Company,  Revolving Advances may be designated by
the Agent as "Acquisition  Facility Advances",  provided that such amounts shall
only be available to the Company to fund Permitted Acquisitions and cannot be so
designated  until  receipt by the Agent of the written  consent of the  Majority
Lenders to a Permitted Acquisition Request.

     (b) After  receipt of a  Permitted  Acquisition  Request,  the Agent  shall
designate such  Acquisition  Facility Advance as either a Tranche 1 Advance or a
Tranche 2  Advance  based  upon the  Borrowing  Base at the time such  Permitted
Acquisition  Request is approved.  The Company,  by written notice to the Agent,
may terminate  the  designation  of  Acquisition  Facility  Advances at any time
provided,  that,  the Company may not deliver such notice  unless the  Revolving
Loan can be  supported by the  Borrowing  Base at the time such  termination  is
requested.  Upon  Agent's  receipt  and  acceptance  of such  written  notice of
termination (i) any  designation of outstanding  Acquisition  Facility  Advances
then existing shall immediately terminate,  and from the date of receipt of such
written notice of termination for all purposes hereunder be treated as Revolving
Advances which are not Acquisition Facility Advances, and (ii) the Company shall
no longer be able to request  that the Agent  designate  Revolving  Advances  as
Acquisition Facility Advances.

     (c) No Revolving  Advance that  constitutes  a Tranche 1 Advance may remain
outstanding  for more than an  aggregate  of  eighteen  months from the date any
Tranche 1 Advance is made,  and all  Tranche 1 Advances  and  Tranche 2 Advances
must be  repaid in full on or prior to the  eighteen  month  anniversary  of the
first funding of any Tranche 1 Advance (the "Tranche 1 Availability Period"). No
Revolving  Advance that  constitutes a Tranche 2 Advance may remain  outstanding
for longer than the nine month anniversary of the first funding of any Tranche 2
Advance (the "Tranche 2 Availability  Period"),  but in any event must be repaid
by the earlier of the end of the Tranche 1 Availability Period and the Tranche 2
Availability  Period. The Company may prepay Acquisition  Facility Advances,  in
full or in part, and without premium or penalty, subject to Section 3.3 hereof.

     (d) Each Permitted  Acquisition  Request shall be executed and delivered by
the Company and shall constitute,  unless otherwise  disclosed in writing to the
Agent and the Lenders, a representation and warranty by the Company that (1) the
representations and


                                        5

<PAGE>

warranties  contained  in this  Agreement  are true and correct in all  material
respects on and as of such date as though made on and as of such date, (2) after
giving  effect to the  Acquisition  Facility  Advance,  no  Default  or Event of
Default has occurred and (3) such requested  Acquisition Facility Advance,  when
added  to  the  aggregate   Revolving  Loans,   Letters  of  Credit  and  unpaid
reimbursement obligations related to drawings under such Letters of Credit which
are then  outstanding  and  Revolving  Loans and  Letters  of  Credit  for which
requests  have been  delivered  to the Agent by the  Borrowers do not exceed the
Revolving  Credit  Facility  Commitments.  Acquisition  Facility  Advances shall
constitute  Revolving  Advances  and  Revolving  Loans for all  purposes of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

     (e) The following  Section 3.5.A shall be added  immediately  following the
last full sentence of Section 3.5 of the Credit Agreement:

                  "S3.5.A           Additional Unused Facility Fee.

     From and  after  the  Effective  Date of  Amendment  No.  3 to this  Credit
Agreement,  the Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, the Additional Unused Facility Fee."

     (f)  Section  2.6(f) of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended to add the
following  immediately  after the last full sentence  immediately  following the
Applicable Margin Grid: "Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Tranche 1 Advance
shall be  outstanding,  the interest rate during such period shall be the sum of
(i) the Index Rate or Eurodollar  Rate (as the case may be) plus the  Applicable
Margin plus 0.375% per annum on  $50,000,000 of the  outstanding  Revolving Loan
and  (ii)  the  Index  Rate or  Eurodollar  Rate  (as the  case may be) plus the
Applicable  Margin  multiplied  by any  outstanding  amounts  in  excess of such
$50,000,000;  if any Tranche 2 Advance shall be  outstanding,  the interest rate
during such period shall be the sum of (i) the Index Rate or Eurodollar Rate (as
the case may be) plus the Applicable Margin plus 0.750% per annum on $50,000,000
of the outstanding Revolving Loan and (ii) the Index Rate or Eurodollar Rate (as
the case  may be)  plus the  Applicable  Margin  multiplied  by any  outstanding
amounts in excess of such $50,000,000."

     (g)  Section  8.17 of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be  amended  to add the
following new paragraph immediately after the word "thereafter" appearing at the
end of the Sonab EBITDA covenants:


                                        6

<PAGE>







     "Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions  of this Section 8.17,  for the
purposes of calculating the financial  covenants set forth in Sections  8.17(a),
8.17(b) and 8.17(c) hereof for the fiscal  quarters  ending April 30, 1998, July
31, 1998,  October 31, 1998 and January 31, 1999, all Offering Expenses shall be
excluded from such calculations."

     (h) the  following  Section 8.27 shall be added  immediately  following the
last full sentence of Section 8.26 of the Credit Agreement:

                  "S 8.27           YEAR 2000.

     On or prior to October 31, 1998,  Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  shall
complete and deliver to Agent a Year 2000 Assessment, and on or prior to January
31, 1999 Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries shall complete and deliver to Agent a
Year 2000  Corrective  Plan. On or prior to March 31, 1999,  Borrowers and their
Subsidiaries shall implement Year 2000 Corrective  Actions. On or before May 31,
1999  Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  shall  complete  Year 2000  Corrective
Actions  and Year  2000  Implementation  Testing.  On or before  July 31,  1999,
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries shall eliminate all Year 2000 Problems,  except
where  failure to correct  the same could not  reasonably  be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate."

     (i) Section 9.2(e) of the Credit Agreement shall be deleted in its entirety
and replaced by the following:

     "(e)  Liens  in  favor of  Marine  Midland  Bank  pursuant  to the  "Pledge
Agreement" (as defined in the Debenture Indenture) covering the capital stock of
the Company,  and Liens in favor of Marine Midland Bank pursuant to the Security
and Pledge Agreement."

     (j)  Section  9.3 of the  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended to delete the
"and"  immediately  following  9.3(q),  to delete the reference to "$25,000,000"
contained in Section 9.3(r) and substitute "$32,000,000" therefor, and to delete
the  period  at the  end  of  9.3(r)  and to  insert  a  semi-colon  immediately
thereafter and to add the following immediately thereafter;

     "(s)  Indebtedness  of the  Company  evidenced  by the  New  Senior  Notes,
provided,  that all Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company in respect of such
New Senior  Notes  shall be used to pay in full or  otherwise  retire the Senior
Notes; and


                                        7

<PAGE>

     (t)  Indebtedness  of the Parent  evidenced  by the New Senior  Debentures,
provided,  that all Net Cash Proceeds  received by the Parent in respect of such
New  Senior  Debentures  shall be used to pay in full or  otherwise  retire  the
Debentures."

     (k) Section 9.6 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended as follows:

(i)  Section  9.6(b) of the Credit  Agreement  shall be amended to add the words
     "and the New Senior Notes"  immediately  following the reference to "Senior
     Notes" contained therein.

(ii) Section  9.6(b)(ii)  of the Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by deleting
     references to "Senior  Notes"  contained  therein and inserting "New Senior
     Notes" in lieu thereof;

(iii)Section  9.6(b)(iii) of the Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by deleting
     references to "Debentures"  contained therein and in lieu thereof inserting
     "New Senior Debentures";

(iv) by deleting the "and"  immediately  following Section  9.6(b)(iv)  thereof,
     deleting the period immediately  following the word "Documents" in the last
     sentence of Section  9.6(b)(v),  and inserting ";" in lieu thereof and then
     adding the following:

"(vi)The Company may use  proceeds  from the issuance of the New Senior Notes to
     redeem the Senior Notes, including any premiums associated therewith;

(vii)The Parent shall use the  aggregate  proceeds  from the issuance of the New
     Senior  Debentures  to  redeem  the  Debentures,  including  any  costs and
     premiums associated therewith;

(viii) The Company may make  payments to the Parent in such amounts as necessary
     (a) to  permit  the  Parent to make  interest  payments  on the New  Senior
     Debentures; and

(ix) The Parent shall (a) make an initial capital contribution to the Company in
     the aggregate principal amount of $33,000,000 within five (5) Business Days
     of the final and irrevocable  redemption of the Debentures and Senior Notes



                                       8

<PAGE>


     and (b) make an additional  capital  contribution to the Company consisting
     of any funds  received by the Parent  which were not used by the Parent for
     the final and irrevocable  redemption of the Debentures,  including payment
     of costs and premiums associated therewith, within sixty-five (65) Business
     Days of the final and  irrevocable  redemption of the Debentures and Senior
     Notes."

     (l) Section 9.15 of the Credit  Agreement  shall be amended by deleting the
period  immediately  following the last  sentence  thereof and adding the phrase
"except that the Parent may enter into the New  Debenture  Indenture and the New
Senior Note Indenture".

     (m) Section 9.16 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the words
"and shall not include rental obligations incurred by the Company pursuant to or
as a result of the Diamond  Park  Acquisition"  immediately  following  the word
"hereof" at the end of the proviso to Section 9.16(i) hereof.

     (n) The Credit Agreement shall be amended to attach a revised Schedule 9.21
thereof in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

     (o) Exhibit A to the Credit  Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety to
read as set  forth on  Exhibit  A hereto  and  Exhibit  D hereto is added to the
Credit Agreement as Exhibit D thereto.

     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.

     (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,  fraudulent
conveyance or transfer, moratorium and similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and by general equity principles.


                                        9

<PAGE>

     (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 each of the
Lenders;  (ii) the acknowledgement  attached hereto shall have been executed and
delivered by each of the  Subsidiaries;  (iii) the Parent and the Company  shall
have  delivered  to the  Agent  for  each of the  Lenders  new  Revolving  Notes
reflecting  their  new  Revolving  Commitments;  (iv)  solely  with  respect  to
paragraphs 2(b),  2(c), 2(d), 2(e) and 2(f) hereof,  such paragraphs shall be of
no force or effect  until  the  Supplemental  Equity  Offering  shall  have been
consummated,  or, if the  Supplemental  Equity Offering is not consummated or if
the Parent shall fail to receive  gross  proceeds from the  Supplemental  Equity
Offering equal to or excess of  $15,000,000,  Borrowers shall have increased the
New Senior Debentures and/or New Senior Notes offerings by an amount,  such that
the gross proceeds of such increase in offering amounts, when added to the gross
proceeds from the Supplemental Equity Offering will equal or exceed $15,000,000;
and (v)  Borrowers  shall have paid to Agent for the  benefit of the Lenders all
fees set forth in that  certain  commitment  letter dated March 24, 1998 between
the Agent and the Borrowers.


                                       10

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

     8.  Supplemental  Equity  Offering.  The  Lenders  hereby  consent  to  the
Supplemental  Equity Offering provided that the Parent shall have received gross
proceeds  from the  Supplemental  Equity  Offering  in an  amount  not less than
$15,000,000,  provided,  that if the Parent shall fail to receive gross proceeds
in excess of $15,000,000 from such offering, Borrowers shall increase the amount
of New Senior Debentures and/or New Senior Notes offered by an amount, such that
the gross proceeds of such increased offering,  when added to the gross proceeds
received from the Supplemental Equity Offering will equal or exceed $15,000,000.

     9.  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.

     10.  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.



                                       11

<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/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



                                      GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
                                      Individually and as Agent


                                      By: /s/Rick Luck                
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name: Rick Luck
                                          Title: Duly Authorized Signatory


                                      FLEET PRECIOUS METALS INC.


                                      By: /s/David P. Berube          
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  David P. Berube
                                          Title: AVP


                                      By: /s/Anthony J. Capuano       
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Anthony J. Capuano
                                          Title: SVP


                                       12

<PAGE>





                                      THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                                      By: /s/Dolores A. Walsh         
                                          ----------------------------------   
                                          Name:  Dolores A. Walsh
                                          Title: Vice President

                                      GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.


                                      By: /s/E.C. Forst               
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Name:  E.C. Forst
                                          Title: Authorized Signatory



                                      BANK LEUMI USA


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


                                      By: /s/Jeffrey E. Pfeffer       
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Jeffrey E. Pfeffer
                                          Title: Senior Vice President



                                      ABN AMRO BANK, N.V.


                                      By: /s/Jeffrey Sarfaty          
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Jeffrey Sarfaty
                                          Title: VP



                                      By: /s/Ned Koppelson            
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Ned Koppelson
                                          Title: VP



                                       13

<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. 3 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


                                       14

<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.       $48,888,889              17.778%
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



<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.        $4,444,444               17.778%
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


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




                                AMENDMENT NO. 6

     THIS AMENDMENT NO. 6 (this  "Amendment")  is made as of April_24,  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 RHODE ISLAND  HOSPITAL TRUST NATIONAL BANK, a national  banking  association
with its principal office at One Hospital Trust Plaza, Providence,  Rhode Island
02903 (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.  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 in certain respects as hereinafter more fully
set forth;

     WHEREAS,  the  Consignor  is willing to amend the terms of the  Consignment
Agreement  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.  Amendments  of S1 of  the  Consignment  Agreement.__Section  1 of  the
Consignment Agreement is hereby amended by:

(a)  deleting the text "two and one quarter percent (2-1/4%)" from clause (b) of
     the definition of "Consignment Fixed Rate" and substituting in lieu thereof
     the text "one and three-quarters percent (1-3/4%)".
 
(b)  deleting  the dollar  amount  "$25,000,000"  contained in clause (b) of the
     definition  of  "Consignment  Limit" and  substituting  in lieu thereof the
     dollar amount "$32,000,000".
 
(c)  inserting in the place  required by  alphabetical  order the  following new
     definitions:
 
     "Existing  Senior  Discount  Debentures:  The Parent's 12% Senior  Discount
Debentures due 2005,  issued  pursuant to an Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993,
as supplemented by the First Supplemental  Indenture thereto dated as of October
28, 1994 and by the Second


                                   

<PAGE>



     Supplemental  Indenture  thereto   dated  as  of July 14, 1995, in the form
     provided to the Consignor."

"Existing Senior Notes:  The Consignee's  10-5/8% Senior Notes due 2003,  issued
     pursuant to an Indenture  dated as of May 26, 1993 as  supplemented  by the
     First  Supplemental  Indenture  thereto dated as of October 28, 1994 and by
     the Second Supplemental Indenture thereto dated as of July 14, 1995, in the
     form provided to the Consignor."
 
"1998Offering Expenses:  Non-recurring  charges,  costs and expenses  (including
     transaction  expenses,  any  write-off of deferred  financing  costs,  debt
     discount  costs and  redemption  premiums and  including  interest  expense
     incurred  solely in respect of the  Existing  Senior Notes and the Existing
     Senior  Discount  Debentures  and solely  during  the  period  prior to the
     redemption  thereof during which the Senior Debentures and the Senior Notes
     shall also be outstanding),  incurred by the Parent and its Subsidiaries in
     connection  with (a) the Parent's  offering of its common stock on or about
     the Sixth  Amendment  Effective Date pursuant to a  registration  statement
     filed by the Parent with the  Securities  Exchange  Commission on March 24,
     1998, as such  registration  statement may be amended from time to ime, (b)
     the  Parent's  offering  of the  Senior  Debentures,  (c)  the  Consignee's
     offering of the Senior Notes and (d) the related redemption of the Existing
     Senior Discount Debentures and the Existing Senior Notes."

(d)  deleting  the   definition  of  "Maturity   Date",   in  its  entirety  and
     substituting in lieu thereof the following new definition:
 
"Maturity Date:  The earliest of (a) December  31, 2001,  (b) the maturity  date
     from time to time in effect  under the Dollar  Facility,  or (c) such other
     date on which all  Obligations  may become due and payable  pursuant to the
     terms hereof."
 
(e)  deleting  definitions of "Senior Discount Debentures" and "Senior Notes" in
     their  entirety  and   substituting  in  lieu  thereof  the  following  new
     definitions:


"Senior  Debentures.  The Parent's  Senior  Debentures  due 2008 in the original
     principal  amount of  $75,000,000,  as in  effect  on the  Sixth  Amendment
     Effective  Date,  which Senior  Debentures  are being issued  pursuant to a
     registration  statement  filed by the Parent with the  Securities  Exchange
     Commission on March 24, 1998, as such registration statement may be amended
     from time to time."

                    
<PAGE>
 

"Senior Notes: The Consignee's  Senior Notes due 2008 in the original  principal
     amount of $150,000,000, as in effect on the Sixth Amendment Effective Date,
     which Senior Notes are being issued  pursuant to a  registration  statement
     filed by the Consignee with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 24,
     1998, as such registration statement may be amended from time to time."

"Sixth  Amendment:  Amendment  No. 6 dated  as of April  24,  1998  between  the
     Consignor  and  the  Consignee,   amending   certain   provisions  of  this
     Agreement."

"Sixth  Amendment  Effective  Date:  The date upon which the  conditions  to the
     effectiveness of the Sixth Amendment set forth in Section 10 thereof, other
     than the condition set forth in  subparagaph  (j) of such Section 10, shall
     have been  satisfied  or waived in  accordance  with the terms of the Sixth
     Amendment."

     S2.  Amendment  of S5  of  the  Consignment  Agreement.__Section  5 of  the
Consignment  Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the first paragraph thereof
in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following new paragraph:

     "On or prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date, the Consignee shall pay
to the Consignor a closing fee in the amount of $120,000.  The  Consignee  shall
also pay to the Consignor, on the first day of each calendar month following the
Sixth  Amendment  Effective  Date and upon the earlier to occur of the  Maturity
Date or the date upon which the Commitment is no longer in effect,  a commitment
fee  calculated  at a rate per annum  which is equal to one half of one  percent
(1/2%) of the  average  daily  difference  by which the  Commitment  amount  (in
Dollars)  exceeds  the  aggregate  of the Fair  Market  Value  of all  Consigned
Precious  Metal  outstanding  during  the  preceding  calendar  month or portion
thereof;  provided,  however,  that no such  commitment  fee shall  accrue or be
payable with respect to any calendar  month or portion  thereof during which the
average Fair Market Value of all Consigned  Precious  Metal  outstanding  during
such calendar month or portion thereof during which the Fair Market Value of all
Consigned  Precious  Metal  outstanding  during such  calendar  month or portion
thereof shall exceed $12,000,000. The Consignee shall also pay to the Consignor,
on or prior to the Sixth Amendment Effective Date and on each anniversary of the
date  hereof,  a  collateral  administration  fee in the amount of  $25,000  per
annum."

     S3.  Amendment  of S6  of  the  Consignment  Agreement.__Section  6 of  the
Consignment  Agreement is hereby  amended by (a) replacing the period at the end
of subparagraph (p) thereof with a semicolon followed by the word "and", and (b)
adding  the  following  new  subparagraph  (q)  thereto  immediately   following
subparagraph (p):



                     


<PAGE>



     "(q)__ttthe  Consignee and its Subsidiaries  have reviewed or are reviewing
the areas  within  their  businesses  and  operations  which could be  adversely
affected  by, and have  developed  or are  developing  a program to address on a
timely basis, the "Year 2000 Problem" (i.e. the risk that computer  applications
used by any of the Consignee and its Subsidiaries may be unable to recognize and
perform properly  date-sensitive  functions involving certain dates prior to and
any date after  December  31,  1999).  Based  upon such  review,  the  Consignee
reasonably  believes that the "Year 2000  Problem" will not have any  materially
adverse effect on the business or financial condition of any of the Consignee or
its Subsidiaries."

     S4.  Amendment of S8.1 of the  Consignment  Agreement.__Section  8.1 of the
Consignment  Agreement is hereby  amended by (a) replacing the period at the end
of subparagraph (j) thereof with a semicolon followed by the word "and", and (b)
adding the following new subparagraphs (k) and (l) thereto immediately following
subparagraph (j):

     "(k)__comply  in all respects with Section 8.27 of the Amended and Restated
Credit  Agreement dated as of September 11, 1997 entered into in connection with
the  Dollar  Facility,  as such  agreement  is in effect on the Sixth  Amendment
Effective  Date (such  Section  8.27 and the defined  terms used  therein  being
incorporated  by reference  herein with the same effect as if set forth in their
entirety herein), and deliver to the Consignor copies of all information, plans,
assessments,  reports or other  documents  delivered  to the Dollar Agent or the
lenders under the Dollar Facility pursuant to such Section 8.27; and

     (l)__the  Parent  shall (i) make an  initial  capital  contribution  to the
Consignee  in the  aggregate  principal  amount of  $33,000,000  within five (5)
Business Days of the final and  irrevocable  redemption  of the Existing  Senior
Discount  Debentures  and (ii) make an additional  capital  contribution  to the
Consignee  consisting  of any funds  received by the Parent  from the  aggregate
proceeds  of the  issuance of the Senior  Debentures  which were not used by the
Parent  for the  payment  of costs and  premiums  associated  with the final and
irrevocable redemption of the Existing Senior Discount Debentures, including any
premiums associated therewith."

     S5.  Amendment of S8.2 of the  Consignment  Agreement.__Section  8.2 of the
Consignment Agreement is hereby amended by:

(a)  deleting  subparagraph  (vi) of clause  (a)  thereof  in its  entirety  and
     substituting in lieu thereof the following new subparagraph (vi):


                    

<PAGE>

"(vi)__Indebtedness  of the  Consignee  (A)  evidenced by the Senior Notes in an
     aggregate principal amount not to exceed $150,000,000, and (B) evidenced by
     the Existing  Senior Notes in an aggregate  principal  amount not to exceed
     $135,000,000,  provided that such Indebtedness described in this clause (B)
     shall be  permitted  solely  until the  earlier of (1)  redemption  of such
     Existing  Senior  Notes with the  proceeds  from the issuance of the Senior
     Notes and other available cash and (2) June 24, 1998;"
 
(b)  replacing the period at the end of subparagraph  (d)(ii)(F)  thereof with a
     semicolon followed by the word "and"
 
(c)  adding  the  following  new  subparagraph  (d)(ii)(G)  thereto  immediately
     following existing subparagraph (d)(ii)(F) thereof:
 
"(G) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or
     would occur after giving effect thereto, the Consignee may make payments to
     the Parent in such  amounts as are  necessary  to enable the Parent to make
     interest payments on the Senior Debentures;"
 
(d)  adding  the  following   new  clause  (D)  to  the  proviso   contained  in
     subparagraph (h) thereof  immediately  prior to the semicolon at the end of
     clause (C) of such proviso:
 
     ",and (D) the  Consignee   shall  redeem or repurchase  all of the Existing
     Senior  Notes  with the  proceeds  from the issuance  of  the Senior  Notes
     and other available cash".
 
     S6.  Amendment  of S8.3 of the  Consignment  Agreement.  Section 8.3 of the
Consignment Agreement is hereby amended by:
 
(a)  (i)  deleting  the ratio  "1.15 to 1; or" in  su paragraph  (a) thereof and
     substituting  in lieu thereof the phrase "the ratio set forth  opposite the
     date set forth in the table below upon which such period  shall have ended"
     and (ii) inserting the following new table at the end of  subparagraph  (a)
     thereof:
 

          "Period Ending:            Ratio:
              1/31/98                1.17:1
              4/30/98                1.17:1
              7/31/98                1.17:1
             10/31/98                1.17:1
              1/31/99                1.26:1



                     

<PAGE>

              4/30/99                1.26:1
              7/31/99                1.26:1
             10/31/99                1.31:1
            1/31/00 and              1.35:1"
            thereafter
 
(b)  deleting  subparagraph (b) thereof in its entirety and substituting in lieu
     thereof the following new subparagraph (b):
 
     "(b) __permit  the  ratio  of (i) the  aggregate  principal  amount  of all
          Indebtedness  for Borrowed Money of the Parent and its Subsidiaries on
          a consolidated basis as of any fiscal quarter ending date set forth in
          the table  below to (ii)  Consolidated  EBITDA of the  Parent  and its
          Subsidiaries for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending
          on such fiscal quarter ending date in such table,  to exceed the ratio
          set forth opposite such date in such table:
 

          Fiscal Quarter              
           Ending Date:              Ratio:
              1/31/98                4.73:1
              4/30/98                6.55:1
              7/31/98                6.55:1
             10/31/98                6.33:1
              1/31/99                4.29:1
              4/30/99                6.16:1
              7/31/99                6.16:1
             10/31/99                5.94:1
              1/31/00                4.24:1
              4/30/00                5.50:1
              7/31/00                5.50:1
             10/31/00                5.28:1
              1/31/01                3.85:1
              4/30/01                4.95:1
              7/31/01                4.95:1
             10/31/01                4.73:1
              1/31/02                3.52:1
 


          ;provided, however,  that solely for the purposes of  calculating  the
          above  ratio as of, and for the fiscal  period  ended on,  October 31,


                    

<PAGE>


          1997 only,  there shall be excluded from such  calculation  any effect
          upon   Indebtedness   for  Borrowed   Money  of  the  Parent  and  its
          Subsidiaries  and  on  Consolidated  EBITDA  of  the  Parent  and  its
          Subsidiaries  resulting  from the  acquisition by the Consignee of the
          assets  and  business  acquired  from the  Diamond  Park Fine  Jewelry
          Division  (the "Diamond Park  Division") of Zale  Delaware,  Inc. (the
          "Seller")  pursuant to the terms of a certain Asset Purchase Agreement
          dated  September 3, 1997 among the Parent,  the Consignee,  the Seller
          and Zale  Corporation,  as in  effect on the date of  Amendment  No. 4
          hereto  (the  "Acquisition"),  or from the related  financing  of such
          Acquisition  under the Dollar Facility;  and provided,  further,  that
          solely for the purposes of calculating  the above ratio as of, and for
          the fiscal  periods  ending on,  January 31, 1998,  April 30, 1998 and
          July 31,  1998,  the  Consignee  may  utilize  the  actual  historical
          earnings  information  (provided to the Consignee by Zale  Corporation
          pursuant  to the  Acquisition)  in  respect  of the  operation  of the
          Diamond  Park  Division  by  the  Seller  prior  to  the   Consignee's
          acquisition  of the Diamond Park  Division to  calculate  Consolidated
          EBITDA for such fiscal periods."
 
     (c)  inserting  the  following  new  subparagraph  (c) therein  immediately
          following subparagraph (b) thereof:
 
          "(c) permit Consolidated EBITDA of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for
               any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on any date
               set forth in the table below to be less than the amount set forth
               opposite such date in such table:
 

               Date:                 Amount:
              1/31/98                $55,800,000
              4/30/98                $58,500,000
              7/31/98                $58,500,000
             10/31/98                $60,300,000
              1/31/99                $63,000,000
              4/30/99                $63,000,000
              7/31/99                $63,000,000
             10/31/99                $63,000,000
              1/31/00                $67,500,000
              4/30/00                $67,500,000
              7/31/00                $67,500,000
             10/31/00                $67,500,000
              1/31/01                $72,000,000
              4/30/01                $73,800,000
              7/31/01                $73,800,000



                     

<PAGE>




             10/31/01                $73,800,000
              1/31/02                $78,300,000
 
          ;provided, however,  that  solely  for  the  purposes  of  calculating
          Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal periods ending on October 31, 1997,
          January 31, 1998,  April 30, 1998 and July 31, 1998, the Consignee may
          utilize the actual historical  earnings  information  (provided to the
          Consignee by Zale Corporation  pursuant to the Acquisition) in respect
          of the  operation of the Diamond Park  Division by the Seller prior to
          the Consignee's  acquisition of the Diamond Park Division to calculate
          Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal periods."
 
     (d)  inserting  the  following  new  text  therein  immediately   following
          subparagraph (c) thereof:
 
          "Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  provisions  of this Section 8.3, for
           purposes of   calculating   the   financial   covenants  set forth in
           Sections 8.3(a),   (b) and  (c) above,  there  shall be excluded from
           such calculations the effect of any 1998 Offering Expenses."
 
     S7. References to "Senior Discount  Debentures".  The Consignment Agreement
is hereby  amended to delete each reference to "Senior  Discount  Debentures" in
its entirety and to substitute in lieu thereof the text "Senior Debentures".

     S8.  Limited  Consent.  Subject  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  conditions
precedent  set  forth  in S10  hereof,  the  Consignor  hereby  consents  to the
execution  and delivery by the  Consignee of Amendment  No. 3 to the Amended and
Restated Credit  Agreement dated as of September 11, 1997,  among the Consignee,
the Parent, the Dollar Agent and the lenders party thereto, such Amendment No. 3
being in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     S9.  Representations and  Warranties.__The  Consignee hereby represents and
warrants to the Consignor as follows:

(a)  Representations    and   Warranties   in   Consignment    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.


                     
<PAGE>

(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 10 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 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.
 


     S10. Condition to Effectiveness.__The effectiveness of this Amendment shall
be subject to satisfaction of the following conditions  precedent,  in each case



                    

<PAGE>

in  form  and  substance  satisfactory  to  the  Consignor;  provided  that  the
effectiveness of the amendments described in Section 5(a) of this Amendment (and
the  associated  amendments to the  definitions  of "Senior Notes" and "Existing
Senior  Notes",  in  each  case  solely  for  purposes  of  using  such  amended
definitions in such Section 5(a) hereof) shall not be subject to satisfaction of
the condition precedent set forth in subparagraph (j) of this Section 10:

(a)  this Amendment duly executed by each of the Consignee and the Consignor;
 
(b)  a  Certificate  of the  Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of the  Consignee
     certifying  as to the  Consignee's  charter  documents (as certified by the
     Secretary  of State of the  State of  Delaware),  by-laws,  incumbency  and
     authorizing  resolutions of the Consignee's board of directors  authorizing
     the transactions contemplated by the Amendment;
 
(c)  a good  standing  certificate  from the  Secretary of State of the State of
     Delaware regarding the Consignee's good standing;
 
(d)  foreign qualification certificates for the Consignee from each jurisdiction
     in  which  the  Consignee  has  qualified  to  do  business  as  a  foreign
     corporation;
 
(e)  a legal opinion of Tenzer Greenblatt LLP, counsel to the Consignee;
 
(f)  a cash amount  equal to  $145,000,  comprised of (i) the closing fee in the
     amount of $120,000  contemplated  by S5 of the  Consignment  Agreement  (as
     amended by this  Amendment) and (ii) the annual  collateral  administration
     fee  in  the  amount  of  $25,000  contemplated  by S5 of  the  Consignment
     Agreement (as amended by this Amendment);
 
(g)  evidence of the issuance by the Parent of its Senior Debentures due 2008 in
     the maximum  aggregate  principal  amount of  $75,000,000  (the "New Senior
     Debentures"),  the net cash  proceeds  of which shall be used to redeem the
     Senior Discount  Debentures (as defined in the Consignment  Agreement prior
     to the amendments contemplated by this Amendment);
 
(h)  evidence of the  issuance by the  Consignee of its Senior Notes due 2008 in
     the maximum  aggregate  principal  amount of $150,000,000  (the "New Senior
     Notes"),  the net cash proceeds of which shall be used to redeem the Senior
     Notes (as  defined in the  Consignment  Agreement  prior to the  amendments
     contemplated by this Amendment);
 


                     

<PAGE>



(i)  evidence  of the  issuance by the Parent of up to  $19,200,000  (and in any
     event   yielding  net  cash  proceeds  to  the  Parent  of  not  less  than
     $12,700,000)  of its common  stock,  provided  that if the Parent  shall be
     unable to complete such issuance of common stock for any reason, the Parent
     shall  have  instead  issued  additional  New  Senior  Debentures  or other
     Indebtedness of the Parent in an aggregate  principal  amount not less than
     $12,700,000  on terms and conditions  satisfactory  to the Consignor in its
     sole  discretion;  and provided  further that the net cash proceeds of such
     issuance shall be used to redeem the Senior Discount Debentures (as defined
     in the Consignment  Agreement prior to the amendments  contemplated by this
     Amendment);
 
(j)  evidence  of  the  repayment  in  full  of  the  existing  Senior  Discount
     Debentures (as defined in the Consignment Agreement prior to the amendments
     contemplated by this Amendment) of the Parent and the existing Senior Notes
     (as  defined  in  the   Consignment   Agreement  prior  to  the  amendments
     contemplated  by this  Amendment) of the Consignee with the proceeds of the
     New Senior  Debentures and the New Senior Notes and other  available  cash,
     including the retirement in full of all such Senior Discount Debentures and
     Senior Notes and all fees and expenses in connection therewith;
 
(k)  evidence of the  amendment  of the Dollar  Facility to provide  for,  among
     other things,  an increase in the maximum  principal amount of credit to be
     extended thereunder from $225,000,000 to $275,000,000; and
 
(l)  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.

     S11.  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 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.

     S12.__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.



                     

<PAGE>





     S13.  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 State of Rhode Island.

     S14.  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.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
















                     

<PAGE>


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


                                          FINLAY FINE JEWELRY
                                          CORPORATION


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


                                          RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL TRUST
                                          NATIONAL BANK


                                          By:/s/ Albert L. Brown
                                             ---------------------------------
                                             Name:  Albert L. Brown
                                             Title: Sr. Vice President





                     




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