<PAGE>

   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1997.
 
                                                   REGISTRATION NO. 333-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                                       <C>
                DELAWARE                                    5944                                   13-3492802
    (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF             (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL                     (IRS EMPLOYER
     INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)             CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)                  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                             ----------------------
 
                                521 FIFTH AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10175
                                 (212) 808-2060
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                             ----------------------
 
                              BONNI G. DAVIS, ESQ.
                        SECRETARY AND CORPORATE COUNSEL
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                521 FIFTH AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10175
                                 (212) 808-2060
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                             ----------------------
 
                                   Copies to:
 
<TABLE>

<S>                                                             <C>
                     JAMES M. DUBIN, ESQ.                                          ROBERT A. PROFUSEK, ESQ.
                    EDWIN S. MAYNARD, ESQ.                                         ROBERT A. ZUCCARO, ESQ.
           PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON                               JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE
                 1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS                                         599 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                   NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019                                        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
                        (212) 373-3000                                                  (212) 326-3939
</TABLE>
 
                             ----------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO
THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes
effective.
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. / /
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering: / /
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: / /

                             ----------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM
    TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF        AMOUNT TO BE     OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE            AMOUNT OF
  SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED     REGISTERED(1)     PER SHARE(2)      OFFERING PRICE(2)     REGISTRATION FEE
------------------------------    -------------   ----------------    -----------------   --------------------
<S>                               <C>             <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Common Stock, par value $.01
per share......................     3,450,000          $17.81            $61,444,500            $18,620
</TABLE>
 
(1) Includes 450,000 shares issuable upon exercise of over-allotment options
    granted to the Underwriters.
 
(2) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating the
    registration fee based on the average of the high and low prices reported on
    the Nasdaq National Market on August 28, 1997.

                             ----------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY  STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.


                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 1997
                                3,000,000 SHARES
 
[FINLAY LOGO]             FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                             ----------------------
 
     Of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 2,046,971 shares
are being sold by the Company and 953,029 shares are being sold by the Selling
Stockholder. See 'Principal and Selling Stockholders'. The Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the
Selling Stockholder.
 
     The last reported sale price of the Common Stock, which is quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol 'FNLY', on August 29, 1997 was $17.75
per share. See 'Price Range of Common Stock'.
 
     SEE 'RISK FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
 
                             ----------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
    THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
     COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
       ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ----------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                INITIAL PUBLIC       UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS TO       PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                OFFERING PRICE       DISCOUNT(1)          COMPANY(2)           STOCKHOLDER
                              ------------------  ------------------  ------------------   --------------------
<S>                           <C>                 <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Per Share...................          $                   $                   $                     $
Total(3)....................          $                   $                   $                     $
</TABLE>

 
------------------
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933.
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $                payable by the
    Company.
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters an option for 30 days to purchase
    up to an additional 450,000 shares at the initial public offering price per
    share, less the underwriting discount, solely to cover over-allotments. If
    such option is exercised in full, the total initial public offering price,
    underwriting discount and proceeds to the Company will be
    $                  , $                and $                , respectively.
    See 'Underwriting'.
 
                             ----------------------
 
     The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the Underwriters, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that certificates
for the shares will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on or about
           , 1997, against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                         DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                            SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
                                                    SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
 
                            ----------------------
 
             The date of this Prospectus is                , 1997.

<PAGE>


   [ARTWORK: PICTURES OF THE COMPANY'S FINE JEWELRY PRODUCTS AND MAP SHOWING
         LOCATION OF THE COMPANY'S DEPARTMENTS AND STAND-ALONE STORES.]
 

                             ----------------------
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH
SECURITIES AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
OFFERING. IN ADDITION, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS (AND SELLING GROUP MEMBERS, IF ANY)
ALSO MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE
NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 UNDER THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE 'UNDERWRITING'.

<PAGE>

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to, the more detailed information and the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, in
this Prospectus, (i) references to 'Finlay Jewelry' mean Finlay Fine Jewelry
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Finlay Enterprises, Inc., (ii)
references to 'Finlay' or the 'Company' mean, collectively, Finlay Enterprises,
Inc., Finlay Jewelry, their subsidiaries and all predecessor businesses, (iii)
all information presented assumes no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option, (iv) all information is presented as of May 3, 1997, the
date of the Company's most recent quarterly balance sheet, and (v) all
information presented herein gives effect to a two-for-three combination of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the 'Common Stock'), effected
March 7, 1995. Finlay's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31
of each year. References to 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 relate to the
fiscal years ending on January 30, 1993, January 29, 1994, January 28, 1995,
February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997 and January 31, 1998, respectively. Each of
the fiscal years include 52 weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks. All
references herein to 'Departments' refer to fine jewelry departments operated
pursuant to license agreements or other arrangements with host department
stores.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Finlay is one of the leading retailers of fine jewelry in the United States
and France. The Company operates leased fine jewelry departments ('Departments')
in major department stores for retailers such as May Department Stores ('May'),
Federated Department Stores ('Federated'), Galeries Lafayette, Belk, Carson
Pirie Scott and Proffitt's. Finlay sells a broad selection of moderately priced
fine jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and watches, and
markets these items principally as fashion accessories with an average sales
price of approximately $150 per item. Average sales per Department were $729,000
in 1996 and the average size of a Department is approximately 1,000 square feet.
Finlay operates 940 Departments and in 1996 achieved sales of $685.3 million,
making Finlay the largest operator of Departments in the United States and
France.
 
     Management believes that current trends in jewelry retailing, particularly
in the department store sector, provide a significant opportunity for Finlay's
growth. Consumers spent approximately $41 billion on jewelry (including both
fine and costume jewelry) in the United States in 1996, an increase of
approximately $17 billion over 1986, according to the United States Department
of Commerce. In the department store sector in which Finlay operates, consumers
spent $4 billion on fine jewelry in 1996. Management believes that demographic
factors such as the maturing of the U.S. population and an increase in the
number of working women have resulted in greater disposable income, thus
contributing to the growth of the fine jewelry retailing industry. Management
also believes that jewelry consumers today increasingly perceive fine jewelry as
a fashion accessory, resulting in purchases which augment the Company's gift and
special occasion sales. Finlay's Departments are typically located in 'high

traffic' areas of leading department stores, enabling Finlay to capitalize on
these consumer buying patterns.
 
     Host stores benefit from outsourcing the operation of their fine jewelry
departments. By engaging Finlay, host stores gain specialized managerial,
merchandising, selling, marketing, inventory control and security expertise.
Additionally, by avoiding the high working capital investment typically required
of the jewelry business, host stores improve their return on investment and can
potentially increase their profitability.
 
     As a lessee, Finlay benefits from the host stores' reputation, customer
traffic, advertising, credit services and established customer base. Finlay also
avoids the substantial capital investment in fixed assets typical of stand-alone
retail formats, which generally has enabled Finlay's new Departments to achieve
profitability within their first twelve months of operation. Finlay further
benefits because net sales proceeds are generally remitted to Finlay by each
host store on a monthly basis with essentially all customer credit risk borne by
the host store.
 
                                       3

<PAGE>

     The Company employs a unique merchandising strategy, known as the 'Finlay
Triangle', which integrates store management, vendors and Finlay's central
office. This alliance enables the Company to capitalize on economies of scale,
while allowing store management to tailor merchandising programs to each host
store's unique fashion image and customer demographics. Store management,
vendors and Finlay's central office coordinate efforts and share access to
information, enabling the vendor to assist in identifying fashion trends thereby
improving inventory turnover and profitability.
 
     As a result of Finlay's strong relationships with its vendors, management
believes that the Company's working capital requirements are lower than those of
many other jewelry retailers. In recent years, on average, approximately 50% of
Finlay's domestic merchandise has been carried on consignment. The use of
consignment merchandise also reduces Finlay's inventory exposure to changing
fashion trends because unsold consigned merchandise can be returned to the
vendor.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On September 3, 1997, Finlay entered into an agreement to acquire the
Diamond Park Fine Jewelers division of Zale Corporation ('Diamond Park'), a
leading operator of Departments, for approximately $66 million. By acquiring
Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments that had total sales of $93
million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will also add new host
store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian.
Management believes that in addition to increasing sales volume, the acquisition
of Diamond Park (the 'Diamond Park Acquisition') will improve Finlay's results
of operations through the leveraging of expenses and the achievement of other
operating synergies. Finlay does not expect the Diamond Park Acquisition to have
a material impact on earnings per share in the current fiscal year but expects
the transaction to be accretive thereafter. The Company intends to finance the

Diamond Park Acquisition with borrowings under its revolving credit facility (as
amended, the 'Revolving Credit Facility').
 
     On July 8, 1997, the Company received a commitment letter to amend the
Revolving Credit Facility by (i) increasing the line of credit from $135
milllion to $225 million, (ii) including eligible international assets in the
borrowing base formula, (iii) reducing interest rates, (iv) permitting higher
balances during the annual balance reduction period and (v) extending the
maturity date from May 1998 to February 2003.
 
     On June 18, 1997, the Company announced the extension of its lease
agreements with Federated for an additional three years. The lease extensions
apply to all of Finlay's Departments within Federated stores, including leases
for Departments in Burdines, Rich's, Lazarus, Goldsmith's and The Bon Marche
which have been extended through February 3, 2001, and the lease for Departments
in Stern's which has been extended through February 1, 2003.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     Finlay intends to pursue the following key initiatives to increase sales
and earnings:
 
           INCREASE COMPARABLE DEPARTMENT SALES. In 1995 and 1996, Finlay
      achieved comparable Department sales increases of 5.7% and 5.9%,
      respectively, outpacing the majority of its host stores. These increases
      were achieved primarily by emphasizing key merchandise items, increasing
      focus on holiday and event-driven promotions, participating in host store
      marketing programs and positioning its Departments as a 'destination
      location' for fine jewelry. Finlay believes that comparable Department
      sales will continue to benefit from these merchandising and marketing
      strategies, as well as from increasing demand for fine jewelry.
 
           ADD DEPARTMENTS WITHIN EXISTING HOST STORE GROUPS. Finlay's well
      established relationships with many of its host store groups have enabled
      the Company to add Departments in new locations opened by existing host
      stores. Finlay has operated Departments in May stores since 1948 and
      operates the fine jewelry departments in all of May's 364 department
      stores. Finlay also has operated Departments in Federated stores since
      1983 and operates Departments in 153 of Federated's 411 department stores.
      Since the beginning of 1992, host store expansion
 
                                       4

<PAGE>

      has added 123 net new Departments including 49 net new Departments since
      the beginning of 1995. Based on expansion plans recently announced by May,
      Finlay believes it will have the opportunity to open approximately 100 new
      Departments in May stores alone over the next five years (excluding
      possible closings).
 
           ESTABLISH NEW HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS. Finlay has an opportunity to
      grow by establishing new relationships with department stores that
      presently either lease their fine jewelry departments to Finlay's

      competitors or operate their own fine jewelry departments. Finlay seeks to
      establish these new relationships by demonstrating to department store
      management the potential for improved financial performance. Since the
      beginning of 1992, Finlay has added such host store groups as Burdines,
      The Bon Marche, Elder Beerman and Stern's. Over the past two years, Finlay
      has added 27 Departments in the Hecht's division of May as a result of
      May's acquisition of John Wanamaker and Strawbridge's. By acquiring
      Diamond Park, Finlay will add Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and
      Parisian to its host store relationships.
 
           EXPAND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS. In October 1994, Finlay acquired
      Societe Nouvelle d'Achat de Bijouterie-S.O.N.A.B. ('Sonab'), the largest
      operator of Departments in France. In 1996, Finlay expanded in France by
      adding 26 Departments in Monoprix and plans to open an additional 15
      Monoprix Departments in 1997. Finlay operates 135 Departments in France
      through five host store groups, including Galeries Lafayette, Nouvelles
      Galeries and Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville. In addition, in 1996, Finlay began
      operating seven Departments in Debenhams, a department store chain which
      operates 90 stores throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 1996, the
      Company also opened a Department in a new Galeries Lafayette store in
      Berlin, Germany and is exploring additional opportunities in other
      European countries.
 
           CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OPERATING LEVERAGE. Selling, general and
      administrative expenses as a percentage of sales declined from 44.2% in
      1993 to 42.3% in 1996. Finlay seeks to continue to leverage expenses both
      by increasing sales at a faster rate than expenses and by reducing its
      current level of certain operating expenses. For example, Finlay has
      demonstrated that by increasing the selling space (with host store
      approval) of certain high volume Departments, incremental sales can be
      achieved without having to incur proportionate increases in selling and
      administrative expenses. In addition, management believes the Company will
      benefit from recent investments in technology and refinements of operating
      procedures designed to allow Finlay's sales associates more time for
      customer sales and service. Finlay's new distribution and warehouse
      facility, expected to become fully operational in the Spring of 1998, will
      permit the Company to improve the flow of merchandise to Departments while
      reducing payroll and freight costs.
 
     Additionally, since 1994 the Company has opened nine domestic stand-alone
discount jewelry outlet stores which provide Finlay with a channel to sell
discontinued, close-out and certain other merchandise. The Company will seek to
identify opportunities to develop additional outlet stores.
                            ------------------------
 
     The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 521 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10175 and its telephone number at this address is
(212) 808-2060.
 
                                       5

<PAGE>

                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Common Stock Offered by:
 
     The Company..........................  2,046,971 Shares (1)
 
     The Selling Stockholder..............  953,029 Shares
                                            -------------
 
       Total..............................  3,000,000 Shares
                                            -------------
                                            -------------
 
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
  Offering................................  9,616,449 Shares (1)(2)
 
Use of Proceeds...........................  The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering are expected to be
                                            used for working capital, repayment of indebtedness or other general
                                            corporate purposes. The Company will not receive any proceeds from
                                            the sale of the shares being sold by the Selling Stockholder. See
                                            'Use of Proceeds'.
 
Nasdaq National Market symbol.............  FNLY
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(1) Excludes up to 450,000 additional shares of Common Stock subject to the
    over-allotment option granted by the Company to the Underwriters. See
    'Underwriting'.
 
(2) Excludes 958,734 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of employee
    stock options outstanding at the date of this Prospectus. See 'Management --
    Executive Compensation -- Long-Term Incentive Plans'.
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     See 'Risk Factors' beginning on page 9 for certain considerations relevant
to an investment in the Common Stock.
 
                                       6

<PAGE>

                   SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following table presents summary consolidated financial information of
the Company for the periods indicated. This information should be read in
conjunction with 'Selected Consolidated Financial Information', 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' and
the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in

this Prospectus. The Company's balance sheet at May 3, 1997 and statement of
operations data for each of the thirteen week periods ended May 4, 1996 and May
3, 1997 were derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements of the
Company which include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary
to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results
of operations of the Company for the dates and periods presented.
 
     Because of the seasonal nature of Finlay's business, the results for the
interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire year.
Significant portions of Finlay's sales and income from operations are generated
in the fourth quarter of the year. See 'Risk Factors -- Seasonality',
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Seasonality' and 'Business -- Seasonality'. For information
regarding the Diamond Park Acquisition, see 'Business -- Recent Developments'.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                (UNAUDITED)
                                                  FISCAL YEAR ENDED (1)                     THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                 --------------------------------------------------------   --------------------
                                 JAN. 30,    JAN. 29,    JAN. 28,    FEB. 3,     FEB. 1,     MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                   1993        1994        1995        1996        1997       1996       1997
                                 --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   ---------  ---------
                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales.........................   $473,746    $505,639    $552,090    $654,491    $685,274   $130,719   $134,592
Gross margin..................    253,394     267,775     290,827     340,462     354,974     66,681     68,870
Management transition and
  consulting expense (2)......      --          --          5,144       --          --         --         --
Nonrecurring expenses
  associated with
  recapitalization (3)........      --          1,915       --          --          --         --         --
Income (loss) from
  operations..................     37,112      33,819      36,499      48,299      53,996        347        950
Other nonrecurring (income)
  expense (4).................      2,100      17,150       --         (5,000)      --         --         --
Interest expense, net.........     23,841      25,469      28,488      29,705      31,204      7,284      7,699
Income (loss) before income
  taxes and cumulative effect
  of accounting change........     11,171      (8,800)      8,011      23,594      22,792      (6,937)   (6,749)
Net income (loss).............      6,028      (9,205)      2,731      14,251      11,757      (4,400)   (4,226)
Net income (loss) applicable
  to common shares............      1,339     (12,799)       (601)      3,534      11,757      (4,400)   (4,226)
Net income (loss) per share
  applicable to common
  shares......................   $   0.78    $  (6.49)   $  (0.27)   $   0.53    $   1.55   $   (0.59) $  (0.56)
Weighted average number of
  shares outstanding
  (000's).....................      1,728       1,973       2,261       6,640       7,570      7,474      7,493
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA:
Number of Departments (end of
  period) (5).................        746         757         903         941         939        907        952
Percentage increase in

  comparable Department
  sales.......................       1.9%        0.7%        4.5%        5.7%        5.9%      14.9%       4.3%
Average sales per Department
  (5).........................   $    673    $    673    $    674    $    710    $    729   $    141   $    142
EBITDA (6)....................     44,149      42,580      45,409      57,958      64,836      2,985      3,703
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted)
  (7).........................     43,579      46,424      51,398      58,901      66,755      3,176      3,894
Capital expenditures..........      7,294       9,150      11,228      14,933      17,533      3,602      3,375
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                       MAY 3, 1997
                                                                                                       -----------
<S>                                                                                                    <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- END OF PERIOD (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS):
Working capital.....................................................................................   $   72,352
Total assets........................................................................................      447,570
Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt (8)....................................      101,219
Long-term debt, excluding current portion...........................................................      213,685
Stockholders' equity (deficit)......................................................................       16,054
</TABLE>
 
                                                   (Continued on following page)
 
                                       7

<PAGE>

----------------------
(1) Each of the fiscal years for which information is presented includes 52
    weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.
 
(2) Included in 1994 are compensation and benefits for a former senior executive
    totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of his employment
    agreement and other management transition and consulting expense totaling
    $2.0 million.
 
(3) Included in 1993 in connection with the Recapitalization Transactions (as
    defined in 'Risk Factors -- Concentration of Ownership') is the redemption
    of outstanding equity participation units in accordance with the terms and
    conditions of the Company's former equity participation plan totaling $0.9
    million and bonuses totaling $1.0 million.
 
(4) Included in 1992 are $2.1 million of nonrecurring expenses associated with a
    withdrawn initial public offering. Included in 1993 are nonrecurring
    expenses of $17.2 million relating to the write-off of certain deferred
    financing costs and other expenses incurred in connection with the
    Recapitalization Transactions. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
    Statements. Included in 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million from a life
    insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.
 
(5) Includes, beginning in 1994, Departments and stand-alone locations.

 
(6) EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation and
    amortization expenses. For 1993, EBITDA includes the effect of nonrecurring
    expenses totaling $1.9 million described in Note 3 above and for 1994,
    EBITDA includes the effect of management transition and consulting expense
    totaling $5.1 million described in Note 2 above. The Company believes EBITDA
    provides additional information for determining its ability to meet future
    debt service requirements. EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute
    for income from operations, net income or cash flow from operating
    activities (all as determined in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles) for the purpose of analyzing Finlay's operating
    performance, financial position and cash flows. However, Finlay has
    presented EBITDA because it is commonly used by certain investors and
    analysts to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating
    performance and to determine a company's ability to service and/or incur
    debt.
 
(7) EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) represents EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
    before nonrecurring expenses of $1.9 million deducted in arriving at income
    from operations for 1993 and management transition and consulting expense of
    $5.1 million deducted in arriving at income from operations for 1994.
 
(8) At February 1, 1997, short-term debt was $2,000; at May 3, 1997, short-term
    debt consisted principally of indebtedness under the Revolving Credit
    Facility and was used for seasonal working capital needs.
 
                                       8

<PAGE>

                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, the
following risk factors should be considered carefully before purchasing the
Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities
Act'), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act').
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different
from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk
factors set forth below. See 'Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements'.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE
 
     Following the Offering, the Company will remain substantially leveraged. At
May 3, 1997, total debt outstanding was $314.9 million, representing 95.1% of
total book capitalization. After giving effect to the Offering (assuming an
initial public offering price of $17.75 per share) and increased borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Facility to finance the Diamond Park Acquisition,
Finlay's total indebtedness would have been $383.3 million, representing 88.7%
of total book capitalization. See 'Capitalization'.
 
     The degree to which Finlay is leveraged could have important consequences
to holders of the Common Stock, including the following: (i) Finlay's ability to
obtain additional financing in the future may be impaired; (ii) a substantial
portion of Finlay's cash flow from operations must be dedicated to service its
indebtedness, including an annual balance reduction requirement under Finlay's
Revolving Credit Facility; (iii) the credit agreement (as amended, the
'Revolving Credit Agreement') relating to Finlay's Revolving Credit Facility,
the indenture (the 'Note Indenture') relating to Finlay Jewelry's 10 5/8% Senior
Notes due 2003 (the 'Notes'), the indenture (the 'Debenture Indenture', and,
together with the Note Indenture, the 'Indentures') relating to Finlay's 12%
Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 (the 'Debentures') and the Company's gold
consignment agreement (the 'Gold Consignment Agreement') all contain provisions
which restrict the ability of the Company to pay dividends; (iv) the Revolving
Credit Agreement and the Indentures impose other operating and financial
restrictions on Finlay Jewelry which may limit its operations and development,
including its ability to finance acquisitions; (v) future financing arrangements
will likely impose similar restrictions on Finlay; (vi) changes in interest
rates or rates charged under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Gold
Consignment Agreement could adversely affect the Company's results of operations
or financial condition; (vii) Finlay may be more leveraged than other providers
of similar products and services, which may place Finlay at a competitive
disadvantage; and (viii) Finlay's significant degree of leverage could make it
more vulnerable to changes in general economic conditions. See 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations'.
 
SEASONALITY
 

     Finlay's business is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of its
sales and income from operations generated during the fourth quarter of each
year, which includes the year-end holiday season. The fourth quarter accounted
for an average of 42% of Finlay's sales and 86% of operating income (excluding
nonrecurring expenses) for 1994, 1995 and 1996. Finlay has typically experienced
losses in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. During these periods,
working capital requirements have been funded by the Revolving Credit Facility.
This pattern is expected to continue. Accordingly, the results for any of the
first three quarters of any given fiscal year, taken individually or in the
aggregate, are not indicative of annual results. A substantial decrease in sales
during the fourth quarter would have a material adverse effect on Finlay's
profitability. The Company's quarterly results of operations also may fluctuate
significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new
Department openings, net sales contributed by new Departments, increases or
decreases in comparable Department sales, timing of certain holidays, changes in
the Company's selection of merchandise, general economic, industry and weather
conditions that affect consumer spending and
 
                                       9

<PAGE>

actions of competitors. In addition, since jewelry purchases are discretionary
and a majority of jewelry purchases by store customers are made using credit,
declines in general economic conditions or consumer credit availability, or
increases in prevailing interest rates, could adversely affect the business and
financial condition of Finlay, particularly if such changes were to occur in the
fourth quarter of Finlay's fiscal year. See 'Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Seasonality' and
'Business -- Seasonality'.
 
DEPENDENCE ON HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS
 
     During 1996, approximately 48% of Finlay's sales were generated by
Departments operated in store groups owned by May, and approximately 22% of
Finlay's sales were generated by Departments operated in store groups owned by
Federated. Management believes that its relationships with the May and Federated
store groups are excellent. Nevertheless, a decision by either company to
transfer the operation of some or all of their Departments to a competitor, or
to assume the operation of those Departments themselves, could have a material
adverse effect on the business and financial condition of Finlay. Such adverse
effects could also be caused by consolidation transactions effected by May,
Federated or other host store groups. In recent years the department store
industry has been consolidating. Although Finlay has, in the past, benefitted
from host store consolidations, no assurance can be given that significant host
store relationships of Finlay will not be terminated as a result of such
consolidation. For example, when Federated acquired Emporium/Weinstocks, 30
stores in which Finlay operated Departments were integrated into Federated's
Macy's division, which currently operates its own fine jewelry business. See
'Business -- Store Relationships'.
 
     Finlay's lease agreements typically have an initial term of one to five
years, and contain renewal options or provisions for automatic renewal absent
prior notice of termination by either party. Each year, a substantial number of

leases are subject to renewal. For example, all of Finlay's leases with May host
stores are subject to renewal in January 1998 or January 1999. Although Finlay's
leases have historically been renewed in the ordinary course, there can be no
assurance that such leases will continue to be renewed, or, if renewed, on
comparable terms. Finlay's lease agreements also give host stores termination
rights based on certain performance and other factors. See 'Business -- Store
Relationships'.
 
AVAILABILITY OF CONSIGNED MERCHANDISE
 
     In recent years, on average, approximately 50% of Finlay's domestic
merchandise has been carried on consignment (pursuant to written agreements or
other arrangements) or otherwise financed by vendors, thereby reducing Finlay's
direct capital investment in inventory to levels which it believes are low for
the retail jewelry industry. Although Finlay does not believe that its
consignment agreements or arrangements with its vendors will be subject to
substantial adverse changes in the future, there can be no assurance that Finlay
will be able to continue to obtain substantial amounts of merchandise on these
terms. See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations' and 'Business -- Purchasing and Inventory'.
 
COMPETITION
 
     Finlay faces competition for retail jewelry sales from national and
regional jewelry chains, other department stores, local independently owned
jewelry stores and chains, specialty stores, mass merchandisers, catalog
showrooms, discounters, direct mail suppliers and televised home shopping.
Several of Finlay's competitors are substantially larger and have greater
financial resources than Finlay. With respect to the operation of Departments in
host store groups, Finlay competes with a limited number of established
Department lessees and department store chains. See 'Business -- Competition'.
 
                                       10

<PAGE>

EXPANSION
 
     A significant portion of Finlay's growth in sales and income from
operations in recent years has resulted from Finlay's obtaining leases to
operate Departments in new host store groups and the addition of new Departments
in existing host store groups. Finlay cannot predict the number of Departments
it will operate in the future or whether its expansion, if any, will be at
levels comparable to that experienced to date. In many cases, Finlay is subject
to limitations under its lease agreements which prohibit Finlay from operating
Departments for other host store groups within a certain geographical radius of
the host stores (typically five to ten miles). Such limitations restrict Finlay
from further expansion within areas where it currently operates Departments,
including expansion by possible acquisitions. However, Finlay has from time to
time obtained the consent of an existing host store group to operate Departments
for another host store group within the prohibited area. May and Federated have
granted consents of this type to Finlay with respect to one another's host
stores. There can be no assurance that additional consents will be obtained in
the future. The existence of these geographic limitations may impede Finlay's

ability to enter into leases with other potential host store groups. In
addition, in certain cases, Finlay has found that, notwithstanding the absence
of any geographical limitation in a lease agreement, it may be limited as a
practical matter from opening Departments for competing host store groups in
close proximity to each other because of the adverse effect such openings might
have on its overall host store group relationships. See 'Business -- Store
Relationships'.
 
     The Company may also from time to time examine opportunities to acquire or
invest in companies or businesses that complement the Company's existing
business. For example, on September 3, 1997, the Company entered into an
agreement to acquire Diamond Park. There can be no assurance that the Diamond
Park Acquisition or future acquisitions by the Company will be successful or
improve the Company's operating results. In addition, the Company's ability to
complete acquisitions will depend on the availability of both suitable target
businesses and acceptable financing. Any future acquisitions may result in a
potentially dilutive issuance of additional equity securities, the incurrence of
additional debt or increased working capital requirements. Any such acquisition
may also result in earnings dilution, the amortization of goodwill and other
intangible assets or other charges to operations, any of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations. Such acquisitions could involve numerous additional
risks, including, without limitation, difficulties in the assimilation of the
operations, products, services and personnel of any acquired company and the
diversion of management's attention from other business concerns. See 'Business
-- Recent Developments'.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY OFFICERS
 
     Finlay's recent success has depended to a significant degree on the efforts
of Arthur E. Reiner, President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the
Company and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry, as well as
David B. Cornstein, Chairman of the Company. Finlay's operations may be
adversely affected if its current officers cease to be active in management.
Messrs. Reiner and Cornstein have employment agreements with Finlay for a period
ending January 31, 2001 and 1999, respectively. Upon the expiration of the term
of his employment agreement on January 31, 1999, Mr. Cornstein is expected to
become Chairman Emeritus of the Company. See 'Management -- Executive
Compensation -- Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'.
 
LIMITED PUBLIC MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK; VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have 9,616,449 shares of
Common Stock outstanding of which 5,798,376 shares are expected to be held by
non-affiliates of the Company. The Common Stock has been included in the Nasdaq
National Market since completion of an initial public offering in April 1995
(the 'Initial Public Offering'). During the twelve months ended August 31, 1997,
the average daily volume of Common Stock traded in the Nasdaq National Market
was approximately 8,500 shares. During that period, there were 37 trading days
on which no shares of the Common Stock were traded. There can be no assurance
that the market for the Common Stock will become more
 
                                       11


<PAGE>

active following the Offering. Although several securities firms act as
market-makers for the Common Stock, a less active market for the Common Stock
may cause the price of the Common Stock to be more volatile than it otherwise
would be. In addition, there can be no assurance that market prices after the
Offering will equal or exceed the initial public offering price per share set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The market price of the Common Stock
could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to Finlay's operating
results and developments relating to the Company, its competitors, general
retailing and economic conditions and other external factors. In addition, in
recent years the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and
volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the
operating performance of companies. These market fluctuations, as well as
general economic conditions, may adversely affect the market price of the Common
Stock.
 
AVAILABILITY AND COST OF PRECIOUS METALS AND PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES
 
     The jewelry industry in general is affected by fluctuations in the prices
of precious metals and precious and semi-precious stones. The availability and
prices of gold, diamonds and other precious metals and precious and
semi-precious stones may be influenced by cartels, political instability in
exporting countries and inflation. Shortages of these materials or sharp changes
in their prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations or financial condition. Although the Company attempts to protect
against such fluctuations in the price of gold by entering into futures
contracts, there can be no assurance these hedging techniques will be
successful.
 
CONCENTRATION OF OWNERSHIP
 
     In May 1993, affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Company (together with its
affiliated transferees, the 'Lee Investors') and partnerships managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated (the 'Desai Investors') acquired a controlling
interest in the Company in connection with a series of transactions that
recapitalized the Company (the 'Recapitalization Transactions'). Before giving
effect to the Offering, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and Messrs.
Cornstein and Reiner (collectively, the 'Management Stockholders') beneficially
own, in the aggregate, 61.9% of the Common Stock. Equity-Linked Investors, L.P.,
one of the Desai Investors, in connection with the scheduled winding-up of this
partnership, is selling all of the Common Stock owned by it in the Offering.
After giving effect to the Offering, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and
the Management Stockholders will beneficially own, in the aggregate, 38.8% of
the Common Stock, of which 24.4% will be held by the Lee Investors, 7.3% will be
held by the Desai Investors and 7.1% will be held by the Management
Stockholders. See 'Principal and Selling Stockholders'.
 
     The Company, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management
Stockholders and certain third parties are parties to a Stockholders' Agreement
(as amended, the 'Stockholders' Agreement'). The Stockholders' Agreement
provides, among other things, that all of the parties thereto will, subject to
certain conditions, vote their shares to fix the number of members of the Board
of Directors at eight and that each of the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors

and the Management Stockholders have the right to nominate certain members of
the Company's Board of Directors, totaling six nominees. Each of the parties to
the Stockholders' Agreement have agreed to vote in favor of such nominees. The
nomination and election of the remaining two directors is not governed by the
Stockholders' Agreement, although the Stockholders' Agreement does require that
such directors not be parties to the Stockholders' Agreement. See 'Management',
'Principal and Selling Stockholders' and 'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders'
Agreement'.
 
     Although none of the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors nor the Management
Stockholders individually currently own, and following the Offering none of them
individually will own, a majority of the voting securities of the Company, their
respective significant beneficial ownership of the Common Stock and rights to
nominate directors under the Stockholders' Agreement enable each of them to
exercise substantial influence over the management of Finlay. The concentration
of beneficial ownership of the Company may have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company, may discourage bids
for the Common Stock at a premium over the market price of the Common Stock
 
                                       12

<PAGE>

and may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. See 'Principal
and Selling Stockholders', 'Certain Transactions' and 'Description of Capital
Stock'.
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market after the
Offering under Rule 144 of the Securities Act ('Rule 144') or otherwise or the
perception that such sales could occur may adversely affect prevailing market
prices of the Common Stock. The Company has agreed not to register for sale, and
the Company, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and the current directors
and executive officers of Finlay who hold Common Stock or options to purchase
Common Stock have agreed, during the period beginning from the date of the
underwriting agreement relating to the Offering (the 'Underwriting Agreement')
and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any
shares of Common Stock or any securities which are substantially similar to the
shares of Common Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for, or
represent the right to receive, shares of Common Stock or securities which are
substantially similar to the shares of Common Stock without the prior written
consent of the representatives of the Underwriters, except, in the case of the
Company and the Selling Stockholder, for the shares of Common Stock offered in
connection with the Offering and, in the case of the Company, securities issued
pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on the date of this Prospectus.
The Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and certain
other individuals have the right to demand registration under the Securities Act
of their shares of Common Stock and have the right to have their shares of
Common Stock included in future registered public offerings of securities by the
Company. These stockholders have agreed not to exercise such rights for a period
of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent
of the representatives of the Underwriters. The exercise of such registration

rights or the perception of an ability to do so could adversely affect the
market price of the Common Stock and could impair Finlay's future ability to
raise capital through an offering of the Company's equity securities. See
'Certain Transactions' and 'Shares Eligible for Future Sale'.
 
DILUTION
 
     Purchasers of Common Stock in the Offering will experience immediate
dilution of $24.93 per share in net tangible book value per share, which exceeds
the assumed $17.75 initial public offering price of the Common Stock offered
hereby. The net tangible book value (deficiency) per share, after giving pro
forma effect to the Offering, will be $(7.18) per share. Existing stockholders
will receive an increase in the net tangible book value of their shares of
Common Stock.
 
RESTRICTION ON PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company has no present intention to pay dividends on the Common Stock.
In addition, various restrictions under Finlay's financing arrangements limit
the ability of the Company to pay dividends or to make other similar
distributions. See '-- Substantial Leverage' and 'Dividend Policy'.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
     The Debenture Indenture provides that, upon the occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined in the Debenture Indenture), the Company will be required to
make an offer (a 'Change of Control Offer') to purchase all of the Debentures
issued and then outstanding under the Debenture Indenture at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the accreted value thereof on the date of purchase (if prior to
May 1, 1998) or 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon to the date of purchase (if on or after May 1, 1998). Under the
Debenture Indenture, a 'Change of Control' occurs when (a) a person or group
other than certain of the Company's existing stockholders becomes the beneficial
owner of 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of the Company; (b) during
any period of two consecutive calendar years, certain changes in the composition
of the Company's Board of Directors occur; or (c) the Company ceases to own 100%
of Finlay Jewelry. A Change of Control under the Debenture Indenture would
constitute a default under the Revolving Credit Agreement and would
 
                                       13

<PAGE>

also constitute a Change of Control under the Note Indenture, accelerating all
obligations under those agreements.
 
     In addition, employment agreements with certain members of senior
management contain provisions requiring Finlay to make certain payments to such
executives in the event such executives are terminated in connection with a
Change of Control (as defined in such employment agreements). See 'Management --
Executive Compensation -- Employment Agreements and Change of Control
Arrangements'.
 
     The foregoing provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or

preventing a change of control of the Company, may discourage bids for the
Common Stock and may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
     Certain provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (the 'Certificate of Incorporation') and Amended and Restated
By-laws (the 'By-laws'), as well as provisions of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the 'DGCL'), may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change of control of the Company, may discourage bids for the
Common Stock and may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. For
example, under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is
authorized to issue one or more series of preferred stock having such
designations, rights and preferences as may be determined by the Board, and the
Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws provide for a classified Board of
Directors. See 'Description of Capital Stock'.
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This Prospectus includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All
statements other than statements of historical information provided herein are
forward-looking statements and may contain information about financial results,
economic conditions, trends and known uncertainties. The forward-looking
statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include,
but are not limited to, those discussed under 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations', as
well as trends in the general economy, competition in the retail jewelry
business, the seasonality of the retail jewelry business, the Company's ability
to increase comparable Department sales and to open new Departments, the
Company's dependence on certain host store relationships due to the
concentration of sales generated by such host stores, the availability to the
Company of alternate sources of merchandise supply in the case of an abrupt loss
of any significant supplier, the Company's ability to continue to obtain
substantial amounts of merchandise on consignment, the Company's dependence on
key officers, the Company's ability to integrate the Diamond Park assets (and
any future acquisitions) into its existing business, the Company's high degree
of leverage and the availability to the Company of financing and credit on
favorable terms and changes in regulatory requirements which are applicable to
the Company's business.
 
     Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which reflect management's analysis, judgment, belief or expectation
only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that
arise after the date hereof. In addition to the disclosure contained herein,
readers should carefully review any disclosure of risks and uncertainties
contained in other documents the Company files or has filed from time to time
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'Commission') pursuant to the
Exchange Act.
 
                                       14

<PAGE>


                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The proceeds to the Company from the Offering, net of underwriting discount
and other expenses of the Offering (assuming an initial public offering price of
$17.75 per share), are estimated to be $32.6 million ($40.0 million if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). The Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the
Selling Stockholder. The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering are
expected to be used for working capital, repayment of indebtedness or other
general corporate purposes.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Common Stock is included in the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
'FNLY'.
 
     The following table sets forth the range of high and low reported sale
prices for the Common Stock for the fiscal periods indicated, as reported by the
Nasdaq National Market.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 HIGH        LOW
                                                                                                ------      ------
<S>                                                                                             <C>         <C>
Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 1996:
  First Quarter (1)..........................................................................   $14 1/4     $   14
  Second Quarter.............................................................................   15 7/8          11
  Third Quarter..............................................................................   18 1/4          14
  Fourth Quarter.............................................................................   17 1/8      10 3/8
Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 1997:
  First Quarter..............................................................................   $   15      $10 1/4
  Second Quarter.............................................................................   17 1/8      13 1/8
  Third Quarter..............................................................................   15 3/8          12
  Fourth Quarter.............................................................................   17 3/4      13 1/2
Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1998:
  First Quarter..............................................................................   $16 1/2     $13 3/4
  Second Quarter.............................................................................       18          15
  Third Quarter (through August 29, 1997)....................................................       18      16 3/4
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(1) The first quarter of 1995 includes the period April 6, 1995 (the date of the
    Initial Public Offering) through April 29, 1995.
 
     As of September 1, 1997 there were approximately 75 record holders of the
Common Stock, including holders who are nominees for an undetermined number of
beneficial owners, estimated to be in excess of 500, and 7,569,478 shares of
Common Stock outstanding. The last reported sale price for the Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market on August 29, 1997 was $17.75.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 

     The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and has no
present intention to pay any such dividends in the foreseeable future. Certain
restrictive covenants in the Indentures, the Revolving Credit Agreement and the
Gold Consignment Agreement impose limitations on the payment of dividends by the
Company. See 'Risk Factors -- Substantial Leverage', 'Description of Capital
Stock' and Notes 3 and 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       15

<PAGE>

                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth as of May 3, 1997: (i) the cash and cash
equivalents and the capitalization of the Company; (ii) the adjustments to
reflect the net proceeds to the Company of the Offering and indebtedness
incurred in connection with the Diamond Park Acquisition; and (iii) the adjusted
capitalization of the Company to reflect these events. This table should be read
in conjunction with 'Selected Consolidated Financial Information' and the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                    MAY 3, 1997
                                                                    -------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          AS
                                                                     ACTUAL         ADJUSTMENTS        ADJUSTED
                                                                    --------   ---------------------   --------
                                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>                     <C>
Cash and cash equivalents........................................   $  2,762       $      32,590(1)    $ 35,352
                                                                    --------                           --------
                                                                    --------                           --------
Short-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)....   $101,219       $      66,298(2)
                                                                    --------               2,062(3)    $169,579
                                                                    --------                           --------
                                                                                                       --------
Long-term debt:
  Notes..........................................................   $135,000                           $135,000
  Debentures.....................................................     78,685                             78,685
                                                                    --------                           --------
     Total long-term debt........................................    213,685                            213,685
                                                                    --------                           --------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock...................................................         76                  20(1)          96
  Additional paid-in capital.....................................     47,732              32,570(1)      80,302
  Distributions in excess of carryover basis.....................    (24,390)                           (24,390)
  Note receivable from stock sale................................     (1,001)                            (1,001)
  Retained earnings (deficit)....................................     (1,081)                            (1,081)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment........................     (5,282)                            (5,282)
                                                                    --------                           --------
     Total stockholders' equity (deficit)........................     16,054                             48,644

                                                                    --------                           --------
       Total capitalization......................................   $229,739                           $262,329
                                                                    --------                           --------
                                                                    --------                           --------
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(1) Reflects the net proceeds to the Company of the Offering (assuming an 
    initial public offering price of $17.75 per share).
 
(2) Reflects indebtedness incurred in connection with the Diamond Park
    Acquisition.
 
(3) Reflects the payment of fees associated with the amendment to the Revolving
    Credit Facility.
 
                                       16

<PAGE>

                  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The selected consolidated financial information set forth below should be
read in conjunction with 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations' and the Consolidated Financial Statements
and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The balance sheet and
statement of operations data of the Company at January 30, 1993, January 29,
1994, January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and for each of
the fiscal years then ended were derived from consolidated financial statements
of the Company, which statements have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report included elsewhere
herein. The Company's balance sheet at May 3, 1997 and statement of operations
data for each of the thirteen week periods ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997
were derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company
which include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of
operations of the Company for the dates and periods presented.
 
     Because of the seasonal nature of Finlay's business, the results for the
interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire year.
Significant portions of Finlay's sales and income from operations are generated
in the fourth quarter of the year. See 'Risk Factors -- Seasonality',
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations --  Seasonality' and 'Business -- Seasonality'. For information
regarding the Diamond Park Acquisition, see 'Business -- Recent Developments'.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                         THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED (1)                          ENDED
                                                ----------------------------------------------------   -------------------
                                                JAN. 30,   JAN. 29,   JAN. 28,   FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,     MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                                  1993       1994       1995       1996       1997       1996       1997

                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales.........................................  $473,746   $505,639   $552,090   $654,491   $685,274   $130,719   $134,592
Cost of sales.................................   220,352    237,864    261,263    314,029    330,300     64,038     65,722
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Gross margin (2)..............................   253,394    267,775    290,827    340,462    354,974     66,681     68,870
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses....................................   209,245    223,280    240,274    282,504    290,138     63,696     65,167
Depreciation and amortization.................     7,037      8,761      8,910      9,659     10,840      2,638      2,753
Management transition and consulting
  expense (3).................................     --         --         5,144      --         --         --         --
Nonrecurring expenses associated with
  recapitalization (4)........................     --         1,915      --         --         --         --         --
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income (loss) from operations.................    37,112     33,819     36,499     48,299     53,996        347        950
Other nonrecurring (income) expense (5).......     2,100     17,150      --        (5,000)     --         --         --
Interest expense, net.........................    23,841     25,469     28,488     29,705     31,204      7,284      7,699
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  cumulative effect of accounting change......    11,171     (8,800)     8,011     23,594     22,792     (6,937)    (6,749)
Provision (credit) for income taxes...........     5,608        405      5,280      9,343     11,035     (2,537)    (2,523)
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
  accounting change...........................     5,563     (9,205)     2,731     14,251     11,757     (4,400)    (4,226)
Cumulative effect of accounting change (6)....       465      --         --         --         --         --         --
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income (loss).............................  $  6,028   $ (9,205)  $  2,731   $ 14,251   $ 11,757   $ (4,400)  $ (4,226)
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income (loss) applicable to common
  shares......................................  $  1,339   $(12,799)  $   (601)  $  3,534   $ 11,757   $ (4,400)  $ (4,226)
Net income (loss) per share applicable to
  common shares...............................  $   0.78   $  (6.49)  $  (0.27)  $   0.53   $   1.55   $  (0.59)  $  (0.56)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  (000's).....................................     1,728      1,973      2,261      6,640      7,570      7,474      7,493
</TABLE>
 
                                                   (Continued on following page)
 
                                       17

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                         THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED (1)                          ENDED
                                                ----------------------------------------------------   -------------------
                                                JAN. 30,   JAN. 29,   JAN. 28,   FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,     MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                                  1993       1994       1995       1996       1997       1996       1997
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------

                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA:
Number of Departments (end of period) (7).....       746        757        903        941        939        907        952
Percentage increase in comparable Department
  sales (7)(8)................................       1.9%       0.7%       4.5%       5.7%       5.9%      14.9%       4.3%
Average sales per Department (7)(9)...........  $    673   $    673   $    674   $    710   $    729   $    141   $    142
EBITDA (10)...................................    44,149     42,580     45,409     57,958     64,836      2,985      3,703
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) (11)................    43,579     46,424     51,398     58,901     66,755      3,176      3,894
Capital expenditures..........................     7,294      9,150     11,228     14,933     17,533      3,602      3,375

BALANCE SHEET DATA -- END OF PERIOD:
Working capital...............................  $  6,139   $ 21,728   $ 27,362   $ 66,395   $ 77,616   $ 62,825   $ 72,352
Total assets..................................   272,769    292,112    340,764    395,145    421,273    398,650    447,570
Short-term debt, including current portion of
  long-term debt..............................    13,228      1,271        576        206          2     71,833    101,219
Long-term debt, excluding current portion.....   132,221    194,234    201,217    202,905    211,427    204,904    213,685
Series A Preferred Stock......................    16,561      --         --         --         --         --         --
Series C Preferred Stock......................     --        22,096     25,428      --         --         --         --
Stockholders' equity (deficit)................   (20,355)   (56,799)   (57,084)    12,784     22,505      8,307     16,054
</TABLE>
 
------------------
 
 (1) Each of the fiscal years for which information is presented includes 52
     weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.
 
 (2) Finlay utilizes the LIFO method of accounting for inventories. If Finlay
     had valued inventories at actual cost, as would have resulted from the
     specific identification inventory valuation method, the gross margin would
     have increased (decreased) as follows: $(0.6) million, $1.9 million, $0.8
     million, $0.9 million, $1.9 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million for
     1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996
     and May 3, 1997, respectively.
 
 (3) Included in 1994 are compensation and benefits for a former senior
     executive totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of his
     employment agreement and other management transition and consulting expense
     totaling $2.0 million.
 
 (4) Included in 1993 in connection with the Recapitalization Transactions is
     the redemption of outstanding equity participation units in accordance with
     the terms and conditions of the Company's former equity participation plan
     totaling $0.9 million and bonuses totaling $1.0 million.
 
 (5) Included in 1992 are $2.1 million of nonrecurring expenses associated with
     a withdrawn initial public offering. Included in 1993 are nonrecurring
     expenses of $17.2 million relating to the write-off of certain deferred
     financing costs and other expenses incurred in connection with the
     Recapitalization Transactions. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
     Financial Statements. Included in 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million from a
     life insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.
 
 (6) This item represents the cumulative effect of change in accounting for

     income taxes in 1992.
 
 (7) Includes, beginning in 1994, Departments and stand-alone locations.
 
 (8) Comparable Department sales are calculated by comparing the sales from
     Departments open for the same months in the comparable periods.
 
 (9) Average sales per Department is determined by dividing sales by the average
     of the number of Departments open at the beginning and at the end of each
     period. For 1994, the effect of the acquisition of Sonab, and subsequent
     Department openings by Sonab, was prorated in determining average sales per
     Department.
 
(10) EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation and
     amortization expenses. For 1993, EBITDA includes the effect of nonrecurring
     expenses totaling $1.9 million described in Note 4 above and for 1994,
     EBITDA includes the effect of management transition and consulting expense
     totaling $5.1 million described in Note 3 above. The Company believes
     EBITDA provides additional information for determining its ability to meet
     future debt service requirements. EBITDA should not be construed as a
     substitute for income from operations, net income or cash flow from
     operating activities (all as determined in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles) for the purpose of analyzing Finlay's
     operating performance, financial position and cash flows. However, Finlay
     has presented EBITDA because it is commonly used by certain investors and
     analysts to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating
     performance and to determine a company's ability to service and/or incur
     debt.
 
(11) EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) represents EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
     before nonrecurring expenses of $1.9 million deducted in arriving at income
     from operations for 1993 and management transition and consulting expense
     of $5.1 million deducted in arriving at income from operations for 1994.
 
                                       18

<PAGE>

               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following should be read in conjunction with 'Selected Consolidated
Financial Information' and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
     Certain statements under this caption 'Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' constitute 'forward-looking
statements' under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. See 'Risk Factors'
and 'Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements'.
 
GENERAL
 
     Over the past three years, sales have increased by $133.2 million to $685.3
million, a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%, while comparable Department
sales have increased by 4.5%, 5.7% and 5.9% in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. Comparable Department sales include Departments open for the same
months during comparable periods. The increase in total sales during this period
is the result of (i) adding 182 net new Departments and stand-alone stores,
including 95 Departments and three stand-alone stores from the acquisition of
Sonab, a French jewelry retailer, and (ii) increasing comparable Department
sales. Management attributes its comparable Department sales increases during
this period to the following Company initiatives: (i) introducing its 'Key Item'
and 'Best Value' merchandising programs, which provide a targeted assortment of
items at competitive prices; (ii) increasing focus on holiday and event-driven
promotions as well as host store marketing programs; (iii) positioning the
Company's Departments as a 'destination location' for fine jewelry; and (iv)
implementing project PRISM (Promptly Reduce Inefficiencies and Sales Multiply),
a management initiative designed to allow Finlay's sales associates more time
for customer sales and service.
 
     Gross margin as a percentage of sales has decreased from 52.7% in 1994 to
51.8% in 1996. This is principally the result of the Company's 'Key Item' and
'Best Value' programs, which produce higher sales volume and a slightly lower
gross margin, on average, than other merchandise. In 1996, the Company's gross
margin as a percentage of sales was essentially unchanged as compared to 1995.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses ('SG&A') as a percentage of
sales have decreased from 43.5% in 1994 to 42.3% in 1996. Management attributes
this improvement to (i) leveraging operating expenses through higher sales and
(ii) reducing the level of certain operating expenses through the ongoing
implementation of project PRISM. The components of SG&A include payroll expense,
lease fees, net advertising expenditures and other field and administrative
expenses.
 
     As a result of the Recapitalization Transactions in 1993 and the 1988
Leveraged Recapitalization (as defined in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus), the Company is
highly leveraged and, as such, interest expense has significantly impacted the
Company's results of operations. In addition, the Company records approximately
$3.0 million of goodwill amortization, on an annual basis, resulting from the

1988 Leveraged Recapitalization.
 
     Finlay entered the international fine jewelry retailing market in October
1994 by acquiring Sonab, which as of May 3, 1997 operated 143 Departments and
three stand-alone stores, principally in France. Finlay's results of operations
for 1995 reflect the first full year of Sonab's operations. In 1996, Finlay
expanded its international operations into the United Kingdom with the opening
of seven Departments in the Debenhams department store chain and into Germany
with the opening of a Galeries Lafayette store in Berlin.
 
DIAMOND PARK ACQUISITION
 
     On September 3, 1997, Finlay entered into an agreement to acquire Diamond
Park, a leading operator of Departments, for approximately $66 million. By
acquiring Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments that had total sales of
$93 million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will also add new
host store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian.
Management believes that in addition to increasing sales volume, the Diamond
Park Acquisition will improve Finlay's results of operations through the
leveraging of expenses and the achievement of other operating synergies. Finlay
does not expect the Diamond Park Acquisition to have a material impact on
earnings per share in the current fiscal year but expects the transaction to be
accretive thereafter. The Company intends to finance the Diamond Park
Acquisition with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. 

 
                                       19

<PAGE>

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth operating results as a percentage of sales
for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                                            FISCAL YEAR ENDED                ENDED
                                                                      ------------------------------    ----------------
                                                                      JAN. 28,    FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,    MAY 4,    MAY 3,
                                                                        1995       1996       1997       1996      1997
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
<S>                                                                   <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales..............................................................     100.0%     100.0%     100.0%     100.0%    100.0%
Cost of sales......................................................      47.3       48.0       48.2       49.0      48.8
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Gross margin.....................................................      52.7       52.0       51.8       51.0      51.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses.......................      43.5       43.2       42.3       48.7      48.4
Depreciation and amortization......................................       1.6        1.4        1.6        2.0       2.1
Management transition and consulting expense (1)...................       1.0       --         --         --        --
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Income (loss) from operations....................................       6.6        7.4        7.9        0.3       0.7

Other nonrecurring income (2)......................................     --          (0.7)      --         --        --
Interest expense, net..............................................       5.1        4.5        4.6        5.6       5.7
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Income (loss) before income taxes................................       1.5        3.6        3.3       (5.3)     (5.0)
Provision (credit) for income taxes................................       1.0        1.4        1.6       (1.9)     (1.9)
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Net income (loss)................................................       0.5%       2.2%       1.7%      (3.4)%    (3.1)%
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
EBITDA (3).........................................................       8.2%       8.9%       9.5%       2.3%      2.8%
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) (4)......................................       9.3%       9.0%       9.7%       2.4%      2.9%
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(1) Included in 1994 are compensation and benefits for a former senior executive
    totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of his employment
    agreement and other management transition and consulting expense totaling
    $2.0 million.
 
(2) Included in other nonrecurring income for 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million
    from a life insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.
 
(3) EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation and
    amortization expenses. For 1994, EBITDA includes the effect of management
    transition and consulting expense totaling $5.1 million described in Note 1
    above. Management believes EBITDA provides additional information for
    determining its ability to meet future debt service requirements.
 
(4) EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) represents EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
    before management transition and consulting expense of $5.1 million deducted
    in arriving at income from operations in 1994.
 
THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 3, 1997 COMPARED WITH THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 4, 1996
 
     SALES.  Sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 increased $3.9
million, or 3.0%, over the comparable period in 1996. Comparable Department
sales increased 4.3%. Management attributes this increase in comparable
Department sales primarily to the 'Key Item' and 'Best Value' merchandising
programs and to the marketing initiatives discussed above. The increase in
comparable Department sales was offset by a $1.7 million decrease in sales
resulting from the net effect of Department openings and closings. During the
thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997, Finlay opened 17 Departments and closed four
Departments. The openings and closings were all within existing store groups.
The closings resulted from host store decisions to close the stores, with one of
the stores reopening at a new location with a Finlay operated Department.
 
     GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin for the period increased by $2.2 million and,
as a percentage of sales, gross margin increased by 0.2% primarily related to
the lower average price of gold in the 1997 period compared to the 1996 period.
 
     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  SG&A increased $1.5 million,
or 2.3%, due primarily to payroll expense and lease fees associated with the
increase in the Company's sales. In addition, through increased vendor

participation, net advertising expenditures were comparable with the 1996
period. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased by 0.3% as a result of the
leveraging of these expenses.
 
                                       20

<PAGE>

     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization was
essentially unchanged, reflecting an increase in capital expenditures for the
most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain assets becoming fully
depreciated. This increase in fixed assets was due to the addition of new
Departments and the renovation of existing Departments.
 
     INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.  Interest expense increased by $0.4 million,
reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($294.0 million for the period in
1997 compared to $260.7 million for the comparable period in 1996) primarily as
a result of the timing of inventory receipts during the 1997 period and an
increase in the outstanding balance of the Debentures due to the accretion of
interest. The increase in average borrowings was partially offset by a lower
weighted average interest rate (10.3% for the 1997 period compared to 10.5% for
the comparable period in 1996).
 
     PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES.  The income tax provision for the 1997
and 1996 periods reflects an effective tax rate of 41.5%.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS).  Net loss of $4.2 million for the 1997 period was $0.2
million lower than the net loss of $4.4 million for the comparable period in
1996 as a result of the factors discussed above.
 
1996 COMPARED WITH 1995
 
     SALES.  Sales increased $30.8 million, or 4.7%, in 1996 compared to 1995.
Comparable Department sales increased 5.9%. Management attributes this increase
in comparable Department sales primarily to the 'Key Item' and 'Best Value'
merchandising programs and to the marketing initiatives discussed above. Sales
decreased $7.8 million as a result of the net effect of new store openings
offset by store closings as well as the timing of such Department openings and
closings. During 1996, Finlay opened 84 Departments and closed 86 Departments.
The openings were comprised of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            NUMBER OF
                           DEPARTMENTS/
      STORE GROUP             STORES                                REASON
------------------------   ------------   ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>            <C>
Hecht's                         13        May's acquisition of Strawbridge's.
Monoprix                        26        Expansion in France.
Debenhams                        7        Initial Departments in the United Kingdom.
New York Jewelry Outlet          2        Additional outlet stores.
Other                           36        Department openings within existing store groups.
                                --

                                84
                                --
                                --
</TABLE>
 
The closings were comprised of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           NUMBER OF
                          DEPARTMENTS/
      STORE GROUP            STORES                                REASON
-----------------------   ------------   ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>            <C>
Emporium/Weinstocks            29        Acquired by Federated and integrated into Macy's.
The Jones Store Co.             8        Lessor consolidated with one lessee.
Maison Blanche/Gayfers         17        Lessor consolidated with one lessee.
Other                          32        Department closings within existing store groups.
                               --
                               86
                               --
                               --
</TABLE>
 
The majority of the 32 closings within existing host store groups resulted from
host store decisions to close the stores, with nine of the stores reopening at
new locations with Finlay operated Departments (including two which reopened in
1997). Ten closings resulted from Finlay's decision to close unprofitable
Departments in Steinbach stores.
 
     GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin increased by $14.5 million in 1996 compared to
1995 but, as a percentage of sales, gross margin decreased by 0.2% primarily due
to an increase in the LIFO provision and to a lesser extent as a result of
management's efforts to increase market penetration and market share through its
pricing strategy.
 
     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  SG&A increased $7.6 million,
or 2.7%, in 1996 compared to 1995 due primarily to payroll expense and lease
fees associated with the increase in the
 
                                       21

<PAGE>

Company's sales. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased by 0.9% in 1996
compared to 1995 as a result of the leveraging of these expenses.
 
     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization increased by
$1.2 million in 1996 compared to 1995, reflecting $17.5 million in capital
expenditures for the most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain
assets becoming fully depreciated. The increase in fixed assets was due to the
addition of new Departments and the renovation of existing Departments.
 
     OTHER NONRECURRING INCOME.  The Company received, during the second quarter

of 1995, proceeds of $5.0 million from a life insurance policy maintained on a
senior executive.
 
     INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.  Interest expense increased by $1.5 million in 1996
compared to 1995 reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($283.3 million
for 1996 compared to $269.5 million for 1995) partially offset by a lower
weighted average interest rate (10.3% for 1996 compared to 10.5% for 1995).
 
     PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES.  The income tax provision for 1996 and
1995 reflects an effective tax rate of 41.5%.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS).  Net income of $11.8 million for 1996 represents a
decrease of $2.5 million as compared to the net income of $14.3 million in 1995
as a result of the factors discussed above. Excluding the effect of the receipt
of life insurance proceeds in 1995, net income of $11.8 million in 1996
represents an increase of $2.5 million from $9.3 million in 1995.
 
1995 COMPARED WITH 1994
 
     SALES.  Sales increased $102.4 million, or 18.5%, in 1995 compared to 1994.
Comparable Department sales increased 5.7%. Management attributes this increase
in comparable Department sales primarily to joint marketing efforts coordinated
with several host store groups and intensified promotion of 'Key Item' and 'Best
Value' merchandising programs. Sonab had total sales of $46.8 million in 1995
and accounted for $34.0 million of the total sales increase. Sales from the
operation of net new Departments contributed $70.9 million. During 1995, Finlay
opened 70 Departments and closed 32 Departments. The new openings included 14
Departments in the Hecht's division of May, as a result of May's acquisition of
John Wanamaker's, four Departments in Sonab and five additional outlet stores.
The balance of openings consisted of Departments within existing host store
groups. The closings consisted of four Departments in Lamonts as a result of
bankruptcy, four Departments due to the sale by The Popular of its stores and
the balance of closings consisted of Departments within existing host store
groups.
 
     GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin increased by $49.6 million in 1995 compared to
1994 but, as a percentage of sales, gross margin decreased by 0.7% as a result
of management's efforts to increase market penetration and market share through
a pricing strategy that had become more competitive. Sonab accounted for $17.3
million of the total increase in gross margin primarily due to the inclusion of
a full year of Sonab operations in 1995.
 
     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  SG&A increased $42.2
million, or 17.6%, in 1995 compared to 1994 due primarily to payroll expense and
lease fees associated with the increase in the Company's sales. In addition,
Sonab accounted for $13.7 million of the total increase in SG&A. As a percentage
of sales, SG&A decreased by 0.3% in 1995 compared to 1994 as a result of the
leveraging of these expenses.
 
     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization increased by
$0.7 million in 1995 compared to 1994, reflecting $14.9 million in capital
expenditures for the most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain
assets becoming fully depreciated. The increase in fixed assets was due to the
addition of new Departments and the renovation of existing Departments,

including $0.9 million in opening additional outlet stores.
 
     MANAGEMENT TRANSITION AND CONSULTING EXPENSE.  Included in 1994, in
connection with certain management changes, are compensation and benefits for a
former senior executive totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of
his employment agreement and other management transition expense totaling $1.0
million. In addition, included in 1994 are consulting expenses totaling $1.0
million in connection with a program undertaken with a management consulting
firm to increase comparable Department sales and improve operating efficiencies.
 
     OTHER NONRECURRING INCOME.  The Company received, during the second quarter
of 1995, proceeds of $5.0 million from a life insurance policy maintained on a
senior executive.
 
                                       22

<PAGE>

     INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.  Interest expense increased by $1.2 million in 1995
compared to 1994, reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($269.5 million
for 1995 compared to $267.7 million for 1994) and a higher weighted average
interest rate (10.5% for 1995 compared to 10.2% for 1994).
 
     PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES.  The income tax provision for 1995 and
1994 reflects an effective tax rate of 41.5%.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS).  Net income of $14.3 million for 1995 represents an
increase of $11.5 million from $2.7 million in 1994, as a result of the factors
discussed above.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Finlay's primary capital requirements are for funding working capital for
new Departments and for working capital growth of existing Departments and, to a
lesser extent, capital expenditures for opening new Departments and renovating
existing Departments. For the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997,
capital expenditures totaled $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively. For
1996, capital expenditures totaled $17.5 million, which included initial
construction costs related to the Company's distribution and warehouse facility,
and in 1995 totaled $14.9 million. Capital expenditures for 1997, in total, are
estimated to be approximately $18.0 million. Although capital expenditures are
limited by the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, to date this limitation
has not precluded the Company from satisfying its capital expenditure
requirements.
 
     Finlay's operations substantially preclude customer receivables and in
recent years, on average, approximately 50% of Finlay's domestic merchandise has
been carried on consignment. Accordingly, management believes that relatively
modest levels of working capital are required in comparison to many other
retailers. The Company's working capital balance was $72.4 million at May 3,
1997, a decrease of $5.3 million from February 1, 1997. The decrease resulted
from capital expenditures and the impact of the interim net loss exclusive of
depreciation and amortization. Based on the seasonal nature of Finlay's
business, working capital requirements and therefore borrowings under the

Revolving Credit Facility can be expected to increase on an interim basis during
the first three quarters of any given fiscal year. See '-- Seasonality'.
 
     The seasonality of Finlay's business causes working capital requirements to
reach their highest level in the months of October and November in anticipation
of the year-end holiday season. Accordingly, Finlay experiences seasonal cash
needs as inventory levels peak. The Revolving Credit Facility provides Finlay
with a line of credit of up to $225.0 million which is available to finance
seasonal cash and other working capital needs. The Revolving Credit Facility
will initially bear interest at a rate equal to, at Finlay's option, (i) the
Index Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) plus 0.5% or (ii)
adjusted LIBOR plus 1.5%. Commencing in 1998, the Revolving Credit Facility will
bear interest at a rate equal to, at Finlay's option, (i) the Index Rate plus a
margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging
from 1.25% to 2.00%, in each case depending on the financial performance of the
Company. Pursuant to the Debenture Indenture, the Company has pledged all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Finlay Jewelry for the benefit
of the Debenture holders. Pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement, Finlay
Jewelry has pledged or caused to be pledged all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock (or other equity securities) of each of its direct and indirect
subsidiaries (including Sonab Holdings, Inc., Sonab International, Inc. and
Sonab) for the benefit of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
     Pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement, Finlay is required to reduce
the balance of the Revolving Credit Facility in each year to $50.0 million or
less for a 30 consecutive day period (the 'Balance Reduction Requirement').
However, the Indentures require Finlay to reduce the balance of the Revolving
Credit Facility in each year to $10.0 million or less for a specified 25
consecutive day period. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at May 3,
1997 were $101.2 million, compared to a zero balance at February 1, 1997 in
accordance with the then-applicable Balance Reduction Requirement and $71.8
million at May 4, 1996. The average amounts outstanding were $56.0 million and
$80.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997,
respectively. The maximum amount outstanding for the thirteen weeks ended May 3,
1997 was $108.0 million. The average amounts outstanding for 1995 and 1996 were
$68.4 million and $75.4 million, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding
under the Revolving Credit Facility in 1996 was $114.1 million. After giving
effect to increased borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility to finance
the Diamond Park
 
                                       23

<PAGE>

Acquisition, the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility at May
3, 1997 would have been $169.6 million.
 
     The Company believes that, with the increased borrowing capacity under the
Revolving Credit Facility, it has sufficient liquidity to meet its anticipated
working capital requirements for both its domestic and foreign operations. The
Company does not expect that significant additional working capital will be
required in the near-term with respect to the operation of the Diamond Park
Departments because the Company will purchase the inventory of those Diamond
Park Departments which it is acquiring. On a going-forward basis, the Company

expects that inventory purchases for the Diamond Park Departments will be
financed in part by trade payables combined with an increased utilization of
consignment inventory compared to the amount of consignment merchandise on hand
at the time of the Diamond Park Acquisition. As such, management believes that
future working capital requirements for the Diamond Park Departments may be
reduced as compared to the amount of working capital required at the time of the
Diamond Park Acquisition. The Company expects to incur certain expenditures of
approximately $1.0 million associated with the integration of Diamond Park's
operations.
 
     Finlay's long-term needs for external financing will depend on its rate of
growth, the level of internally generated funds and the ability to continue
obtaining substantial amounts of merchandise on advantageous terms, including
consignment arrangements with its vendors. As of May 3, 1997, $220.2 million of
consignment merchandise from over 200 vendors was on hand as compared to $198.8
million at May 4, 1996. For 1996, Finlay had an average balance of consignment
merchandise of $201.8 million as compared to an average balance of $208.5
million in 1995. At the end of 1996, $194.3 million of consignment merchandise
was on hand as compared with $199.1 million at the end of 1995. See
'Business -- Store Relationships' and 'Business -- Purchasing and Inventory'.
 
     A substantial amount of Finlay's operating cash flow is or will be required
to pay, directly or indirectly, interest with respect to the Notes and the
Debentures and amounts due under the Revolving Credit Facility, including the
payments required pursuant to the Balance Reduction Requirement. As of May 3,
1997, Finlay's outstanding borrowings were $314.9 million, which included a
$78.7 million balance under the Debentures, a $135.0 million balance under the
Notes and a $101.2 million balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. On May
1, 1998, the Company will have a one-time option, in accordance with the
Debenture Indenture, to prepay all or a portion of the $39.0 million of accreted
interest on the Debentures as of such date. It is the Company's intent to prepay
all or a portion of such accreted interest to reduce outstanding indebtedness
and to take advantage of the resulting tax benefits relating to the
deductibility of such prepayment in 1998. The Company would fund this prepayment
using borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Debentures do not pay
cash interest until November 1, 1998. See 'Risk Factors -- Substantial
Leverage'.
 
     In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry entered into the Gold Consignment Agreement.
The Gold Consignment Agreement enables Finlay Jewelry to receive merchandise by
providing gold, or otherwise making payment, to certain vendors. Finlay Jewelry
can obtain, pursuant to the Gold Consignment Agreement, up to the lesser of (i)
85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25.0 million worth of gold, subject to a
formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. At May 3, 1997, amounts
outstanding under the Gold Consignment Agreement totaled 39,596 fine troy
ounces, valued at approximately $13.5 million. The average amount outstanding
under the Gold Consignment Agreement was $11.9 million in 1996.
 
     The Company is currently implementing financial and distribution software
that is Year 2000 compliant. The Company has begun to assess the impact of the
Year 2000 issue on its remaining operations, including the development of cost
estimates for and the extent of programming changes required to address this
issue. Although final cost estimates have yet to be determined, it is
anticipated that these Year 2000 costs will result in an increase to the

Company's expenses during 1998 and 1999 and are not expected to have a material
impact on the Company's ongoing results of operations.
 
     Finlay believes that, based upon current operations, anticipated growth,
and availability under the Revolving Credit Facility (including availability as
a result of the application of the net proceeds to the Company from the Offering
to reduce outstanding borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility), Finlay
Jewelry will, for the foreseeable future, be able to meet its debt service and
anticipated working capital obligations, and to make distributions to the
Company sufficient to permit the Company to meet its debt service obligations
and to pay certain other expenses as they come due. No assurances, however, can
be given that Finlay Jewelry's current level of operating results will continue
or improve or that Finlay
 
                                       24

<PAGE>

Jewelry's income from operations will continue to be sufficient to permit Finlay
Jewelry and the Company to meet their debt service and other obligations. The
Revolving Credit Facility, the Note Indenture and the Gold Consignment Agreement
restrict distributions from Finlay Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay
Jewelry's net sales for the preceding fiscal year. The amounts required to
satisfy the aggregate of Finlay Jewelry's interest expense and required
amortization payments totaled $8.7 million and $8.6 million for the thirteen
weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997, respectively, and $21.0 million and
$21.7 million for 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code')
restricts utilization of net operating loss carryforwards ('NOLs') after an
ownership change exceeding 50%. As a result of the Recapitalization
Transactions, a change in ownership of the Company exceeding 50% occurred within
the meaning of Section 382 of the Code. Similar restrictions apply to other
carryforwards. Consequently, there is a material limitation on the Company's
annual utilization of its NOLs and other carryforwards which requires a deferral
or loss of the utilization of such NOLs or other carryforwards. The Company had,
at October 31, 1996 (the Company's tax year end), a NOL for tax purposes of
approximately $14.0 million which is subject to an annual limit of approximately
$2.0 million per year. For financial reporting purposes, no NOL exists as of
February 1, 1997. An additional change in ownership within the meaning of
Section 382 of the Code may occur as a result of the Offering. However,
management does not believe that there would be any additional restrictions upon
the Company's ability to utilize its NOLs or other carryforwards as a result of
such ownership change. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
SEASONALITY
 
     Finlay's business is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of its
sales and income from operations generated during the fourth quarter of each
year, which includes the year-end holiday season. The fourth quarter accounted
for an average of 42% of Finlay's sales and 86% of its income from operations
(excluding nonrecurring charges) for 1994, 1995 and 1996. Finlay has typically
experienced losses in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. During these

periods, working capital requirements have been funded by borrowings under the
Revolving Credit Facility. Accordingly, the results for any of the first three
quarters of any given fiscal year, taken individually or in the aggregate, are
not indicative of annual results. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See 'Risk Factors -- 
Seasonality'.
 
     The Company's Sales and Income (loss) from operations during each quarter
of 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 were as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       FISCAL QUARTER
                                                        --------------------------------------------
                                                         FIRST       SECOND      THIRD       FOURTH
                                                        --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
1994:
  Sales..............................................   $ 93,858    $109,209    $109,657    $239,366
  Income (loss) from operations (1)..................     (2,231)      2,255       2,440      34,035
1995:
  Sales..............................................    112,716     135,428     132,058     274,289
  Income (loss) from operations......................     (1,220)      5,022       3,443      41,054
1996:
  Sales..............................................    130,719     137,188     136,140     281,227
  Income (loss) from operations......................        347       6,124       4,366      43,159
1997:
  Sales..............................................    134,592       --          --          --
  Income (loss) from operations......................        950       --          --          --
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(1) The fourth quarter of 1994 includes $5.1 million (pre-tax) of expenses
    related to the management transition and consulting expense.
 
INFLATION
 
     The effect of inflation on Finlay's results of operations has not been
material in the periods discussed.
 
                                       25

<PAGE>

                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
      Finlay is one of the leading retailers of fine jewelry in the United
States and France. The Company operates leased fine jewelry Departments in major
department stores for retailers such as May, Federated, Galeries Lafayette,
Belk, Carson Pirie Scott and Proffitt's. Finlay sells a broad selection of
moderately priced fine jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings
and watches, and markets these items principally as fashion accessories with an
average sales price of approximately $150 per item. Average sales per Department
were $729,000 in 1996 and the average size of a Department is approximately
1,000 square feet. Finlay operates 940 Departments and in 1996 achieved sales of
$685.3 million, making Finlay the largest operator of Departments in the United
States and France.
 
     Management believes that current trends in jewelry retailing, particularly
in the department store sector, provide a significant opportunity for Finlay's
growth. Consumers spent approximately $41 billion on jewelry (including both
fine and costume jewelry) in the United States in 1996, an increase of
approximately $17 billion over 1986, according to the United States Department
of Commerce. In the department store sector in which Finlay operates, consumers
spent $4 billion on fine jewelry in 1996. Management believes that demographic
factors such as the maturing of the U.S. population and an increase in the
number of working women have resulted in greater disposable income, thus
contributing to the growth of the fine jewelry retailing industry. Management
also believes that jewelry consumers today increasingly perceive fine jewelry as
a fashion accessory, resulting in purchases which augment the Company's gift and
special occasion sales. Finlay's Departments are typically located in 'high
traffic' areas of leading department stores, enabling Finlay to capitalize on
these consumer buying patterns.
 
     Host stores benefit from outsourcing the operation of their fine jewelry
departments. By engaging Finlay, host stores gain specialized managerial,
merchandising, selling, marketing, inventory control and security expertise.
Additionally, by avoiding the high working capital investment typically required
of the jewelry business, host stores improve their return on investment and can
potentially increase their profitability.
 
     As a lessee, Finlay benefits from the host stores' reputation, customer
traffic, advertising, credit services and established customer base. Finlay also
avoids the substantial capital investment in fixed assets typical of stand-alone
retail formats, which generally has enabled Finlay's new Departments to achieve
profitability within their first twelve months of operation. Finlay further
benefits because net sales proceeds are generally remitted to Finlay by each
host store on a monthly basis with essentially all customer credit risk borne by
the host store.
 
     As a result of Finlay's strong relationships with its vendors, management
believes that the Company's working capital requirements are lower than those of
many other jewelry retailers. In recent years, on average, approximately 50% of
Finlay's domestic merchandise has been carried on consignment. The use of

consignment merchandise also reduces Finlay's inventory exposure to changing
fashion trends because unsold consigned merchandise can be returned to the
vendor.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On September 3, 1997, Finlay entered into an agreement to acquire Diamond
Park, a leading operator of Departments, for approximately $66 million. By
acquiring Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments that had total sales of
$93 million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will also add new
host store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian.
Management believes that in addition to increasing sales volume, the Diamond
Park Acquisition will improve Finlay's results of operations through the
leveraging of expenses and the achievement of other operating synergies. Finlay
does not expect the Diamond Park Acquisition to have a material impact on
earnings per share in the current fiscal year but expects the transaction to be
accretive thereafter. The Company intends to finance the Diamond Park
Acquisition with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. 

 
     On July 8, 1997, the Company received a commitment letter to amend the
Revolving Credit Facility by (i) increasing the line of credit from $135 million
to $225 million, (ii) including eligible international
 
                                       26

<PAGE>

assets in the borrowing base formula, (iii) reducing interest rates, (iv)
permitting higher balances during the annual balance reduction period and (v)
extending the maturity date from May 1998 to February 2003.
 
     In connection with the Diamond Park Acquisition, Finlay has agreed to
acquire substantially all of the assets relating to the operation of the Diamond
Park Departments in Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian, including
lease agreements, inventory and fixed assets. The purchase price also includes
goodwill, certain other inventory and specified Diamond Park transition
expenses. Zale Corporation has agreed not to compete with Finlay in the
operation of leased fine jewelry departments in the United States for a period
of seven years. The asset purchase agreement contains covenants, representations
and warranties and conditions customary for transactions of this type, including
the satisfactory completion of Finlay's due diligence review and receipt of
third party consents and other approvals. The Diamond Park Acquisition is
expected to be completed in October 1997. See 'Risk Factors -- Expansion'.
 
     On June 18, 1997, the Company announced the extension of its lease
agreements with Federated for an additional three years. The lease extensions
apply to all of Finlay's Departments within Federated stores, including leases
for Departments in Burdines, Rich's, Lazarus, Goldsmith's and The Bon Marche,
which have been extended through February 3, 2001, and the lease for Departments
in Stern's which has been extended through February 1, 2003.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 

     Finlay intends to pursue the following key initiatives to increase sales
and earnings:
 
          INCREASE COMPARABLE DEPARTMENT SALES.  In 1995 and 1996, Finlay
     achieved comparable Department sales increases of 5.7% and 5.9%,
     respectively, outpacing the majority of its host stores. These increases
     were achieved primarily by emphasizing key merchandise items, increasing
     focus on holiday and event-driven promotions, participating in host store
     marketing programs and positioning its Departments as a 'destination
     location' for fine jewelry. Finlay believes that comparable Department
     sales will continue to benefit from these merchandising and marketing
     strategies, as well as from increasing demand for fine jewelry.
 
          ADD DEPARTMENTS WITHIN EXISTING HOST STORE GROUPS.  Finlay's well
     established relationships with many of its host store groups have enabled
     the Company to add Departments in new locations opened by existing host
     stores. Finlay has operated Departments in May stores since 1948 and
     operates the fine jewelry departments in all of May's 364 department
     stores. Finlay also has operated Departments in Federated stores since 1983
     and operates Departments in 153 of Federated's 411 department stores. Since
     the beginning of 1992, host store expansion has added 123 net new
     Departments including 49 net new Departments since the beginning of 1995.
     Based on expansion plans recently announced by May, Finlay believes it will
     have the opportunity to open approximately 100 new Departments in May
     stores alone over the next five years (excluding possible closings).
 
          ESTABLISH NEW HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS.  Finlay has an opportunity to
     grow by establishing new relationships with department stores that
     presently either lease their fine jewelry departments to Finlay's
     competitors or operate their own fine jewelry departments. Finlay seeks to
     establish these new relationships by demonstrating to department store
     management the potential for improved financial performance. Since the
     beginning of 1992, Finlay has added such host store groups as Burdines, The
     Bon Marche, Elder Beerman and Stern's. Over the past two years, Finlay has
     added 27 Departments in the Hecht's division of May as a result of May's
     acquisition of John Wanamaker and Strawbridge's. By acquiring Diamond Park,
     Finlay will add Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian to its
     host store relationships.
 
          EXPAND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.  In October 1994, Finlay acquired
     Sonab, the largest operator of Departments in France. In 1996, Finlay
     expanded in France by adding 26 Departments in Monoprix and plans to open
     an additional 15 Monoprix Departments in 1997. Finlay operates 135
     Departments in France through five host store groups, including Galeries
     Lafayette, Nouvelles Galeries and Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville. In addition,
     in 1996, Finlay began operating seven Departments in Debenhams, a
     department store chain which operates 90 stores throughout the United
     Kingdom and Ireland. In 1996, the Company also opened a Department in a new
     Galeries
 
                                       27

<PAGE>


     Lafayette store in Berlin, Germany and is exploring additional
     opportunities in other European countries.
 
          CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OPERATING LEVERAGE.  Selling, general and
     administrative expenses as a percentage of sales declined from 44.2% in
     1993 to 42.3% in 1996. Finlay seeks to continue to leverage expenses both
     by increasing sales at a faster rate than expenses and by reducing its
     current level of certain operating expenses. For example, Finlay has
     demonstrated that by increasing the selling space (with host store
     approval) of certain high volume Departments, incremental sales can be
     achieved without having to incur proportionate increases in selling and
     administrative expenses. In addition, management believes the Company will
     benefit from recent investments in technology and refinements of operating
     procedures designed to allow Finlay's sales associates more time for
     customer sales and service. Finlay's new distribution and warehouse
     facility, expected to become fully operational in the Spring of 1998, will
     permit the Company to improve the flow of merchandise to Departments while
     reducing payroll and freight costs.
 
     Additionally, since 1994 the Company has opened nine domestic stand-alone
discount jewelry outlet stores which provide Finlay with a channel to sell
discontinued, close-out and certain other merchandise. The Company will seek to
identify opportunities to develop additional outlet stores.
 
MERCHANDISING STRATEGY
 
     Finlay seeks to maximize sales and profitability through a unique
merchandising strategy known as the 'Finlay Triangle', which integrates store
management (including host store management and Finlay's store group
management), vendors and Finlay's central office. By coordinating efforts and
sharing access to information, each Finlay Triangle participant plays a role
which emphasizes its area of expertise in the merchandising process, thereby
increasing productivity. Finlay's central office functions as a service
organization, assembling an assortment of merchandise for selection by Finlay's
store group management. Within pricing guidelines set by the central office,
Finlay's store group management contributes to the selection of the specific
merchandise most appropriate to the demographics and customer tastes within
their particular geographical area. Finlay's advertising initiatives and
promotional planning are closely coordinated with both host store management and
Finlay's store group management to ensure the effective use of Finlay's
marketing programs. Vendors participate in the decision-making process with
respect to merchandise assortment, including the testing of new products,
marketing, advertising, stock levels and pricing strategy. By utilizing the
Finlay Triangle, opportunities are created for the vendor to assist in
identifying fashion trends thereby improving inventory turnover and
profitability, both for the vendor and Finlay. As a result, management believes
it capitalizes on economies of scale by centralizing certain activities, such as
vendor selection, advertising and planning, while allowing store management the
flexibility to implement merchandising programs tailored to the host store
environments and clientele.
 
                                    [CHART]
                                      The
                                    Finlay

                                   Triangle

                              -----------------
                             |    CENTRAL      |
                             |     OFFICE      |
                              -----------------
                              / \                / \
                           |   |               |  |
                           |   |               |  |    
                           |   |               |  |
                          \ /                 \ /
                       ------------         -------------
                      |   VENDORS  | <----  |   STORE    |
                      |            | ---->  | MANAGEMENT |
                      --------------        --------------


                                       28

<PAGE>

     Finlay has structured its relationships with vendors to encourage sharing
of responsibility for marketing and merchandise management. Finlay furnishes to
vendors, through on-line access to Finlay's information systems, the same sales,
stock and gross margin information that is available to Finlay's store group
management and central office for each of the vendor's styles in Finlay's
merchandise assortment. Using this information, vendors are able to participate
in decisions to replenish inventory which has been sold and to return or
exchange slower-moving merchandise. In addition, vendors may input order
recommendations through Finlay's data processing system for approval by Finlay.
New items are tested in specially selected 'predictor' Departments where sales
experience can indicate an item's future performance in Finlay's other
Departments. Management believes that the access and input which vendors have in
the merchandising process results in a better assortment, timely replenishment,
higher turnover and higher sales of inventory, differentiating Finlay from its
competitors.
 
     Since many of the host store groups in which Finlay operates differ in
fashion image and customer demographics, Finlay's flexible approach to
merchandising is designed to complement each host store's own merchandising
philosophy. Finlay emphasizes a 'fashion accessory' approach to fine jewelry and
watches, and seeks to provide items that coordinate with the host store's
fashion focus as well as to maintain stocks of traditional and gift merchandise.
 
STORE RELATIONSHIPS
 
     HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS.  Finlay operates 940 Departments in 28 host store
groups, located in 42 states, the District of Columbia, France, the United
Kingdom and Germany. By acquiring Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments
in three host store groups, located in 20 states. Finlay's largest host store
relationship is with May, for which Finlay has operated Departments since 1948.
Finlay operates the fine jewelry departments in all of May's 364 department
stores, including Lord & Taylor and Filene's. Finlay's second largest host store
relationship is with Federated, for which Finlay has operated Departments since
1983. Finlay operates Departments in 153 of Federated's 411 department stores,

including Rich's and Burdines. Over the past three years, store groups owned by
May and Federated accounted for an average of 47% and 21%, respectively, of
Finlay's annual sales.
 
     Finlay also operates Departments in numerous other host store groups, such
as Galeries Lafayette, Belk, Carson Pirie Scott and Proffitt's. Management
believes that it maintains excellent relations with its host store groups, 19 of
which have had leases with Finlay for more than five years (representing 80.9%
of Finlay's sales in 1996) and 15 of which have had leases with Finlay for more
than ten years (representing 72.8% of Finlay's sales in 1996). As a consequence
of the strong and, in many instances, long-term relationships, host store groups
have routinely renewed Finlay's lease agreements at their renewal dates.
Management believes that the majority of its lease agreements will continue to
be renewed routinely. See 'Risk Factors -- Dependence on Host Store
Relationships'.
 
                                       29

<PAGE>

     The following table identifies the host store groups in which Finlay
operated Departments at May 3, 1997, the year in which Finlay's relationship
with each host store group commenced and the number of Departments operated by
Finlay in each host store group. The table also provides similar information
regarding Finlay's international Departments, its domestic and international
stand-alone locations and the Departments to be added as a result of the Diamond
Park Acquisition.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                INCEPTION OF                   NUMBER OF
HOST STORE GROUP/LOCATION                       RELATIONSHIP               DEPARTMENTS/STORES
---------------------------------------------   ------------    ----------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>                   <C>
MAY
Robinsons -- May.............................        1948                 55
Filene's.....................................        1977                 38
Lord & Taylor................................        1978                 62
L.S. Ayres/Famous Barr.......................        1979                 31
Kaufmann's...................................        1979                 47
Foley's......................................        1986                 53
Hecht's/Strawbridge's........................        1986                 70
Meier & Frank................................        1988                  8
                                                                         ---
  Total May Departments......................                                                    364

FEDERATED
Rich's/Lazarus/Goldsmith's...................        1983                 71
Burdines.....................................        1992                 44
The Bon Marche...............................        1993                 18
Stern's......................................        1994                 20
                                                                         ---
  Total Federated Departments................                                                    153

OTHER DOMESTIC DEPARTMENTS
Crowley's/Steinbach..........................        1968                 19
Gottschalks..................................        1969                 30
Younkers.....................................        1973                 32
Belk.........................................        1975                 51
Carson Pirie Scott/Bergner's/Boston Store....        1977                 50
Liberty House................................        1983                 11
The Bon-Ton..................................        1986                 39
Dillard's....................................        1988                  5
Proffitt's...................................        1991                  8
Elder Beerman................................        1992                 35
                                                                         ---
  Total Other Domestic Departments...........                                                    280
                                                                                             -------
    Total Domestic Departments...............                                                    797

INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENTS (SONAB)
Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville....................        1994                  6

Galeries Lafayette...........................        1994                 30
Monoprix/Inno/Baze...........................        1994                 40
Nouvelles Galeries...........................        1994                 59
Debenhams....................................        1996                  7
Jeanteur.....................................        1996                  1
                                                                         ---
    Total International Departments..........                                                    143

STAND-ALONE STORES
New York Jewelry Outlet......................        1994                  9
New Gold (Sonab).............................        1994                  3
                                                                         ---
  Total Stand-Alone Stores...................                                                     12
                                                                                             -------
    Total Existing Departments and
      Stand-Alone Stores.....................                                                    952

DIAMOND PARK DEPARTMENTS*
Mercantile Stores............................        1997                 90
Marshall Field's.............................        1997                 21
Parisian.....................................        1997                 28
    Total Diamond Park Departments...........                                                    139
                                                                                             -------
      Total Departments and Stand-Alone
         Stores After Diamond Park
         Acquisition.........................                                                  1,091
                                                                                             -------
                                                                                             -------
</TABLE>
 
------------------
 
* Represents Departments to be added in connection with the Diamond Park
  Acquisition.
 
                                       30

<PAGE>

     TERMS OF LEASE AGREEMENTS.  Finlay's lease agreements typically have an
initial term of one to five years. Finlay has, where possible, entered into
five-year lease agreements and expects to continue this policy. Finlay's lease
agreements generally contain renewal options or provisions for automatic renewal
absent prior notice of termination by either party. Lease renewals are for one
to five year periods. See 'Risk Factors -- Dependence on Host Store
Relationships'. In exchange for the right to operate a Department within the
host store, Finlay pays each host store group a lease fee, calculated as a
percentage of sales (subject to a minimum annual fee in a limited number of
cases).
 
     Finlay's domestic lease agreements generally require host stores to remit
sales proceeds for each month (without regard to whether such sales were cash,
store credit card or national credit card) to Finlay approximately three weeks
after the end of such month. However, during the months of November and
December, most domestic host store groups remit to Finlay 75% of the estimated
months' sales prior to or shortly following the end of that month. Finlay's
international lease agreements generally require host stores to remit sales
proceeds for each two-week period (without regard to whether such sales were
cash, store credit card or national credit card) to Finlay approximately two
weeks after the end of such period. Each host store group withholds from the
remittance of sales proceeds a lease fee and other expenditures, such as
advertising costs, which the host store group may have made on Finlay's behalf.
 
     Finlay is usually responsible for providing and maintaining any fixtures
and other equipment necessary to operate its Departments, while the host store
is typically required to provide clean space for installation of any necessary
fixtures. The host store is generally responsible for paying utility costs
(except certain telephone charges), maintenance and certain other expenses
associated with the operation of the Departments. All of the lease agreements
provide that Finlay is responsible for the hiring (subject to the suitability of
such employees to the host store) and discharge of its sales and Department
supervisory personnel, and substantially all domestic lease agreements require
Finlay to provide its employees with salaries and certain benefits comparable to
those received by the host store's employees. Many of Finlay's lease agreements
provide that Finlay may operate the Departments in any new stores opened by the
host store group. In certain instances, Finlay operates Departments without
written agreements, although the arrangements in respect of such Departments are
generally in accordance with the terms described herein.
 
     In many cases, Finlay is subject to limitations under its lease agreements
which prohibit Finlay from operating Departments for competing host store groups
within a certain geographical radius of the host stores (typically five to ten
miles). Such limitations restrict Finlay from further expansion within areas
where it currently operates Departments, including expansion by possible
acquisitions. For example, Finlay sought and received the consent of certain of
its existing host store groups in connection with the Diamond Park Acquisition.
However, certain domestic lease agreements make an exception for adding
Departments in stores established by groups with which Finlay has a preexisting
lease arrangement. In addition, Finlay has from time to time obtained the
consent of an existing host store group to operate in another host store group
within the prohibited area. May and Federated have granted consents of this type

to Finlay with respect to one another's stores. In addition, in certain cases,
Finlay has found that, notwithstanding the absence of any geographical
limitation in a lease agreement, it may be limited as a practical matter from
opening Departments for competing host store groups in close proximity to each
other because of the adverse effect such openings might have on its overall host
store group relationships. See 'Risk Factors -- Expansion'.
 
     CREDIT.  Substantially all customer credit risk is borne by the host store
rather than by Finlay. Purchasers of Finlay's merchandise at a host store are
entitled to the use of the host store's credit facilities on the same basis as
all of the host store's customers. Payment of credit card or check transactions
is generally guaranteed to Finlay by the host store, provided that the proper
credit approvals have been obtained in accordance with the host store's policy.
Accordingly, payment to Finlay in respect of its sales proceeds is generally not
dependent on when (or if) payment is received by the host store.
 
                                       31

<PAGE>

     DEPARTMENTS OPENED/CLOSED.  During 1996, Department openings offset by
closings resulted in a net decrease of two Departments. There were 36 openings
within existing store groups. In addition, Department openings included thirteen
Departments in the Hecht's division of May, as a result of May's acquisition of
Strawbridge's, 26 Departments in Monoprix stores in France, the opening of seven
Departments in Debenhams stores in the U.K. and the opening of two additional
outlet stores. These openings were offset by a number of Department closings,
including 29 Departments in the Emporium/Weinstocks chain resulting from the
acquisition of those stores by Federated and their integration into the Macy's
chain which currently operates its own fine jewelry business. An additional
Emporium/Weinstocks Department was closed in 1995. Eight Departments in The
Jones Store Co. and 17 Departments in the Maison Blanche/Gayfers chain were also
closed in 1996 as the result of those stores' decision to consolidate their
Departments under the management of one lessee. In addition, 32 Departments were
closed within existing host store groups. See 'Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- 1996 Compared with
1995' and 'Risk Factors -- Dependence on Host Store Relationships'.
 
     The following table sets forth data regarding the number of Departments and
stand-alone stores which Finlay has operated from the beginning of 1992:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           FISCAL YEAR ENDED                        THIRTEEN
                                         ------------------------------------------------------    WEEKS ENDED
                                         JAN. 30,    JAN. 29,    JAN. 28,    FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,      MAY 3,
                                           1993        1994        1995       1996       1997         1997
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    -----------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
DEPARTMENTS/STORES:
Open at beginning of period...........      662         746         757        903        941          939
Opened during period..................      124          69         159         70         84           17
Closed during period..................      (40)        (58)        (13)       (32)       (86)          (4)
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----

Open at end of period.................      746         757         903        941        939          952
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----
Net increase (decrease)...............       84          11         146         38         (2)          13
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----
</TABLE>
 
     For the periods presented in the table above, Department closings were
primarily attributable to: the bankruptcy of host store groups; the
consolidation of, or ownership changes in, certain host store groups, in
particular internal consolidation within May; the closing or sale by host store
groups of individual stores; the closing of Departments in a host store group as
a result of the opening of Departments in another host store group that competes
in the same geographic market; host store group decisions to consolidate with
one lessee; and Finlay's decision to close unprofitable Departments. To
management's knowledge, none of the Department closings during the periods
presented in the table above resulted from dissatisfaction of a host store group
with Finlay's performance.
 
PRODUCTS AND PRICING
 
     Each of Finlay's domestic Departments offers a broad selection of
necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and watches. Other than watches,
substantially all of the fine jewelry items sold by Finlay are made from
precious metals and many also contain diamonds or colored gemstones. Finlay also
provides jewelry and watch repair services. Finlay does not carry costume or
gold-filled jewelry. Specific brand identification is generally not important
within the fine jewelry business, except for watches. With respect to watches,
Finlay emphasizes brand name vendors including Gucci, Seiko, Citizen and Movado.
Many of Finlay's lease agreements with host store groups restrict Finlay from
selling certain brand name items or, in some cases, set price minimums below
which Finlay may not sell particular items. Sonab's watch selection is limited
to private label watches marketed under Sonab's 'New Gold' and 'Gold Line'
names. In France, all other watch brands are sold by the host stores, which have
historically retained their watch business.
 
                                       32

<PAGE>

     The following table sets forth the domestic sales and percentage of sales
by category of merchandise for 1994, 1995, 1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May
3, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 FISCAL YEAR ENDED                     
                             ---------------------------------------------------------      THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                                                                 ENDED
                              JAN. 28, 1995        FEB. 3, 1996         FEB. 1, 1997          MAY 3, 1997
                             ---------------      ---------------      ---------------      ---------------
                                       % OF                 % OF                 % OF                 % OF
                             SALES     SALES      SALES     SALES      SALES     SALES      SALES     SALES
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----

                                                         (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                          <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
CATEGORY:
Gemstones.................   $132.3     24.5%     $148.6     24.4%     $153.1     24.1%     $ 31.2     25.0%
Gold......................    123.7     22.9       142.8     23.5       144.8     22.8        26.2     21.0
Watches...................    105.1     19.5       115.2     19.0       114.3     18.0        19.3     15.4
Diamonds..................    102.7     19.1       118.3     19.5       129.2     20.3        26.4     21.1
Other (1).................     75.5     14.0        82.8     13.6        93.5     14.8        21.8     17.5
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----
  Total Sales.............   $539.3    100.0%     $607.7    100.0%     $634.9    100.0%     $124.9    100.0%
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(1) Includes special promotional items, remounts, estate jewelry, pearls, beads,
    cubic zirconia, sterling silver and men's jewelry, as well as repair
    services and accommodation sales to Finlay employees.
 
See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations'.
 
     Finlay sells its merchandise at prices generally ranging from $50 to
$1,000. In 1996, the average price of the items sold by Finlay was approximately
$150 per item. An average Department has over 4,000 items in stock. Consistent
with fine jewelry retailing in general, a substantial portion of Finlay's sales
are made at prices discounted from listed retail prices. Finlay's advertising
and promotional planning are closely coordinated with its pricing strategy.
Publicized sales events are an important part of Finlay's marketing efforts. A
substantial portion of Finlay's sales occur during such promotional events. The
amount of time during which merchandise may be offered at discount prices is
limited by applicable laws and regulations. See 'Legal Proceedings'.
 
PURCHASING AND INVENTORY
 
     GENERAL.  A key element of Finlay's strategy has been to lower the working
capital investment required for operating its existing Departments and opening
new Departments. At any one time, Finlay typically is required to pay in advance
of sale for less than half of its inventory because in recent years, on average,
approximately 50% of Finlay's domestic merchandise has been obtained on
consignment and certain additional inventory has been purchased with extended
payment terms. In 1996, Finlay's net monthly investment in inventory (i.e., the
total cost of inventory owned and paid for) averaged 33% of the total cost of
its on-hand merchandise. Finlay is frequently granted exchange privileges which
permit Finlay to return or exchange unsold merchandise for new products at any
time. In addition, Finlay structures its relationships with vendors to encourage
their participation in and responsibility for merchandise management. By making
the vendor a participant in Finlay's merchandising strategy, Finlay has created
opportunities for the vendor to assist in identifying fashion trends thereby
improving inventory turnover and profitability. As a result, Finlay's direct
capital investment in inventory has been reduced to levels which it believes are
low for the retail jewelry industry. In addition, Finlay's inventory exposure to
changing fashion trends is reduced because unsold consignment merchandise can be
returned to the vendor.

 
     Management believes the willingness of vendors to participate in the
inventory management process is due, in part, to the large volume of merchandise
which Finlay sells in its Departments and the desire of vendors to take
advantage of Finlay's nationwide distribution network. By offering their
merchandise through Finlay's Departments, vendors are able to reach a broad
spectrum of the marketplace in coordination with national or regional
advertising campaigns conducted by the vendors or their service organizations.
 
     In 1996, merchandise obtained from Finlay's 40 largest vendors (out of a
total of approximately 400 vendors) generated approximately 78% of domestic
sales, and merchandise obtained from Finlay's
 
                                       33

<PAGE>

largest vendor generated approximately 12% of domestic sales. Finlay does not
believe the loss of any one of its vendors would have a material adverse effect
on its business.
 
     In addition, Finlay's new distribution and warehouse facility, expected to
become fully operational in the Spring of 1998, will permit the Company to
improve the flow of merchandise to Departments while reducing payroll and
freight costs.
 
     GOLD CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT.  In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry consummated the
Gold Consignment Agreement, which enables Finlay to receive merchandise by
providing gold or otherwise making payment to certain vendors who currently
supply Finlay with merchandise on consignment. While the merchandise involved
remains consigned, the consignor and title to the gold content of the
merchandise transfers from the vendors to the gold consignor. As a result, such
vendors have reduced their working capital requirements and associated financing
costs. Consequently, Finlay has negotiated more favorable prices and terms with
the participating vendors. Finlay can obtain, pursuant to the Gold Consignment
Agreement, up to the lesser of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25.0 million
worth of gold, subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment
Agreement. At May 3, 1997, amounts outstanding under the Gold Consignment
Agreement totaled 39,596 fine troy ounces, valued at approximately $13.5
million. The average amount outstanding under the Gold Consignment Agreement was
$11.9 million in 1996. The current term of the Gold Consignment Agreement
expires on February 28, 1998. Management presently intends to renew the Gold
Consignment Agreement upon its expiration.
 
     Finlay pays a daily consignment fee on the dollar equivalent value of
ounces outstanding, a floating rate which, as of June 15, 1997, was
approximately 3.5% per annum. In addition, Finlay is required to pay an unused
line fee of 0.5% if the amount of gold consigned has a value equal to or less
than $10.0 million. In conjunction with the Gold Consignment Agreement, Finlay
granted to the gold consignor a first priority perfected lien on, and a security
interest in, specified gold jewelry of participating vendors approved under the
Gold Consignment Agreement and a lien on proceeds and products of such jewelry
subject to the terms of an intercreditor agreement between the gold consignor
and the Revolving Credit Facility lenders.

 
OPERATIONS
 
     GENERAL.  Most of Finlay's Departments have between 30 and 150 linear feet
of display cases (with an average of approximately 60 linear feet) generally
located in high traffic areas on the main floor of the host stores. Each
Department is supervised by a manager whose primary duties include customer
sales and service, scheduling and training of personnel, maintaining security
controls and merchandise presentation. Most of the Departments utilize from 105
to 260 staff hours per week on a permanent basis, depending on the Department's
sales volume, and employ additional sales staff during the peak year-end holiday
season. Each Department is open for business during the same hours as its host
store. Subject to the terms of the applicable host store group lease agreement,
Finlay is generally responsible for its own operating decisions within each of
its Department operations, including the hiring and compensation of sales staff.
See '-- Store Relationships -- Terms of Lease Agreements'.
 
     To parallel host store operations, Finlay establishes separate group
service organizations responsible for managing Departments operated for each
host store. Staffing for each group organization varies with the number of
Departments in each group. Typically, Finlay services each host store group with
a group manager, an assistant group manager, one or more group buyers, one or
more regional supervisors who oversee the individual Department managers and a
number of clerical employees. Each group manager reports to a regional vice
president, who is responsible for supervising up to nine host store groups. In
its continued efforts to improve comparable Department sales through improved
operating efficiency, Finlay has taken steps to minimize administrative tasks at
the Department level by introducing advanced technology such as an interface
between store cash registers and Finlay's central office. These steps are
designed to reduce administrative time requirements, thereby improving customer
service and, as a result, sales.
 
                                       34


<PAGE>


     Finlay had average sales per linear foot of approximately $11,200 in 1994,
$11,800 in 1995 and $11,600 in 1996. The decrease in sales per linear foot
during 1996 is attributed to more European Departments, which on average, have
lower sales per linear foot as compared to the domestic Departments. Finlay had
average sales per Department of approximately $674,000, $710,000 and $729,000 in
1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Finlay determines average sales per linear
foot by dividing its sales by the aggregate estimated measurements of the outer
perimeters of the display cases of Finlay's Departments.
 
     MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEMS.  Management believes
that its management information systems provide a significant advantage in
competing with other fine jewelry retailers. Finlay and its vendors use this
system to monitor sales, gross margin and inventory performance by location,
merchandise category, style number and vendor. Using this information, Finlay is
able to monitor merchandise trends, variances in performance and improve the
efficiency of its inventory management. Finlay also measures the productivity of

its sales force by maintaining current statistics for each employee such as
sales per hour, transactions per hour and transaction size.
 
     PERSONNEL AND TRAINING.  Finlay considers its employees an important
component of its operations and devotes substantial resources to training and
improving the quality of sales and management personnel. Finlay seeks to
motivate its employees by linking a substantial percentage of their compensation
to performance standards. In most cases, individual sales personnel are
compensated on an hourly basis and paid a commission on sales. Department
managers are generally compensated on the basis of a salary plus a percentage of
their Department's sales. Group managers and regional vice presidents are
eligible to earn bonuses of up to 50% of their base salaries upon the
achievement of specified goals.
 
     As of the end of 1996, Finlay employed approximately 6,000 persons in the
United States and approximately 500 persons in France, the United Kingdom and
Germany, approximately 90% of whom were regional and local sales and supervisory
personnel and the balance of whom were employed in administrative or executive
capacities. Of Finlay's 6,000 domestic employees, approximately 2,400 were
part-time employees, working less than 20 hours per week. Finlay's labor
requirements fluctuate because of the seasonal nature of Finlay's business. See
'-- Seasonality'. Management believes that its relations with its employees are
good. Less than 1% of Finlay's domestic employees are unionized. However,
substantially all of Finlay's employees in France are unionized. The average
length of service for Finlay's domestic employees at the group manager level and
above is approximately twelve years.
 
     ADVERTISING.  Finlay promotes its products through four-color direct mail
catalogs and newspaper advertising of the host store groups. Finlay maintains an
in-house advertising staff responsible for preparing a majority of Finlay's
advertisements and for coordinating the finished advertisements with the
promotional activities of the host stores. Finlay's gross advertising
expenditures over the past five fiscal years have consistently been in excess of
6% of sales, a level which is consistent with the jewelry industry's reliance on
promotional efforts to generate sales. The majority of Finlay's domestic lease
agreements with host store groups require Finlay to expend certain specified
minimum percentages of the respective Department's annual sales on advertising
and promotional activities.
 
     INVENTORY LOSS PREVENTION AND INSURANCE.  Finlay undertakes substantial
efforts to safeguard its merchandise from loss or theft, including the
installation of security alarm systems and safes at each location and the taking
of a daily diamond inventory. During 1996, inventory shrinkage amounted to
approximately 0.8% of sales. Finlay maintains insurance covering the risk of
loss of merchandise in transit or on Finlay's premises (whether owned or on
consignment) in amounts that management believes are reasonable and adequate for
the types and amounts of merchandise carried by Finlay.
 
     GOLD HEDGING.  The cost to Finlay of gold merchandise sold on consignment
in some cases is not fixed until the sale is reported to the vendor or the gold
consignor in the case of merchandise sold pursuant to the Gold Consignment
Agreement. In such cases, the cost of merchandise varies with the price of gold
and Finlay is exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the price of gold between
the time Finlay establishes the advertised or other retail price of a particular

item of merchandise and the date on which the sale of the item is reported to
the vendor. In order to hedge against this risk and to enable Finlay to
 
                                       35

<PAGE>

determine the cost of such goods prior to their sale, Finlay must fix the price
of gold prior to the sale of such merchandise. Accordingly, Finlay at times
enters into futures contracts, such as options or forwards or a combination
thereof. The value of gold hedged under such contracts represented less than 1%
of the Company's cost of goods sold in 1996. Under such contracts, the Company
obtains the right to purchase a fixed number of troy ounces of gold at a
specified price per ounce for a specified period. Such contracts typically have
durations ranging from one to nine months and are generally priced at the spot
gold price plus an amount based on prevailing interest rates plus customary
transactions costs. When sales of such merchandise are reported to the
consignment vendors and the cost of such merchandise becomes fixed, Finlay sells
its related hedge position.
 
     The primary effect on liquidity from using futures contracts is associated
with the related margin requirements. Historically, cash flows related to
futures margin requirements have not been material to Finlay's total working
capital requirements. Finlay manages the purchase of futures contracts by
estimating and monitoring the quantity of gold that it anticipates it will
require in connection with its anticipated level of sales of the type described
above. Finlay's gold hedging transactions are entered into by Finlay in the
ordinary course of its business. Finlay's gold hedging strategies are
determined, implemented and monitored on a regular basis by Finlay's senior
management and its Board of Directors.
 
COMPETITION
 
     Finlay faces competition for retail jewelry sales from national and
regional jewelry chains, other department stores, local independently owned
jewelry stores and chains, specialty stores, mass merchandisers, catalog
showrooms, discounters, direct mail suppliers and televised home shopping.
Several of Finlay's competitors are substantially larger and have greater
financial resources than Finlay. Management believes that competition in the
retail jewelry industry is based primarily on the price, quality, fashion appeal
and perceived value of the product offered and on the reputation, integrity and
service of the retailer.
 
     With respect to the operation of Departments in host store groups, Finlay
competes with a limited number of established Department lessees, such as J.B.
Rudolph, and department store chains. Management believes that competition for
the operation of Departments is based principally on the reputation of the
operator for integrity, the expertise and experience of the operator in offering
an attractive selection of merchandise at competitive prices and the operator's
ability to generate lease fees for the host stores. See 'Risk
Factors -- Competition', 'Risk Factors -- Expansion' and '-- Store
Relationships -- Terms of Lease Agreements' with respect to certain limitations
on Finlay's ability to compete.
 

SEASONALITY
 
     The retail jewelry business is highly seasonal. See 'Risk
Factors -- Seasonality', 'Selected Consolidated Financial Information' and
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Seasonality'.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     The only real estate owned by Finlay is the recently acquired distribution
and warehouse facility, totaling 106,200 square feet (of which 17,350 is leased
to a tenant), at 205 Edison Avenue, Orange, Connecticut. Finlay leases
approximately 18,400 square feet at 521 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, and
49,100 square feet at 529 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York for its executive,
accounting, advertising, the majority of its data processing operations and
other administrative functions. The leases for such space expire September 30,
2008. For certain operations at 500 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, Finlay
has leased approximately 9,200 square feet under a lease which expires January
31, 2000. Finlay also leases retail space for its New York Jewelry Outlet and
French stand-alone stores and office space in France for Sonab's corporate
operations. Generally, as part of Finlay's domestic lease
 
                                       36

<PAGE>

arrangements, host stores provide office space to Finlay's host store group
management personnel free of charge.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     Finlay is involved in certain legal actions arising in the ordinary course
of business. Management believes none of these actions, either individually or
in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on Finlay's business,
financial position or results of operations.
 
     Commonly in the retail jewelry industry, a substantial amount of
merchandise is sold at a discount to the 'regular' or 'original' price. Finlay's
experience is consistent with this practice. See 'Business -- Products and
Pricing'. A number of states in which Finlay operates have regulations which
require retailers who offer merchandise at discounted prices to offer the
merchandise at the 'regular' or 'original' prices for stated periods of time.
Finlay has received inquiries and has been subject to investigation from time to
time by various states with respect to its compliance with such regulations. In
1987 and 1989, Finlay entered into consent decrees with the states of Wisconsin
and Georgia, respectively, in connection with Finlay's past sales discounting
and other practices and paid nominal fines to both states. In addition, one of
Finlay's store groups entered into a consent decree with the state of Oregon in
1988 and two others are subject to standing injunctions, one issued at the
request of the state of California in 1988 and the other issued at the request
of the state of Colorado in 1990, regarding the sales discounting practices of
the host store groups in the respective states. As a lessee of the host store
groups, Finlay is obligated to comply with the consent decree and injunctions in
effect with respect to the host store groups. Although Finlay receives inquiries

from various state authorities from time to time, management believes it is in
substantial compliance with all applicable federal and state laws with respect
to such practices.
 
                                       37

<PAGE>

                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     Set forth below is certain information with respect to each of the current
executive officers and directors of the Company and Finlay Jewelry. Each of the
persons listed as a director is a member of the Board of Directors of both the
Company and Finlay Jewelry.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                NAME                   AGE                         POSITION
------------------------------------   ---   -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>   <C>
David B. Cornstein..................   59    Chairman of the Company and Director
Arthur E. Reiner....................   57    President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman
                                             of the Company, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                             of Finlay Jewelry and Director
Joseph M. Melvin....................   48    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
                                             of the Company and President and Chief Operating
                                             Officer of Finlay Jewelry
Leslie A. Philip....................   50    Executive Vice President of the Company and Executive
                                             Vice President--Merchandising and Sales Promotion of
                                             Finlay Jewelry
Barry D. Scheckner..................   49    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
                                             the Company and Finlay Jewelry
Edward Stein........................   53    Senior Vice President and Director of Stores of
                                             Finlay Jewelry
Rohit M. Desai......................   58    Director
James Martin Kaplan.................   52    Director
Thomas H. Lee.......................   53    Director
Norman S. Matthews..................   64    Director
Warren C. Smith, Jr.................   41    Director
</TABLE>
 
     The Company, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management
Stockholders and certain third parties are parties to the Stockholders'
Agreement which provides, among other things, that all parties thereto, subject
to certain conditions, vote their shares to fix the number of members of the
Board of Directors of the Company at eight and to vote in favor of six directors
who will be nominated as follows: two by the Lee Investors; one by the Desai
Investors; two by Mr. Cornstein (one of whom must be a management employee of
the Company); and one by Mr. Reiner. See 'Risk Factors --  Concentration of
Ownership'. The nomination and election of the remaining two directors is not
governed by the Stockholders' Agreement, although the Stockholders' Agreement
does require that such directors not be parties to the Stockholders' Agreement.

 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of various persons to designate
directors will be reduced or eliminated at such time as they own less than
certain specified percentages of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.
Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement (i) Messrs. Lee and Smith were nominated
to the Board of Directors as the designees of the Lee Investors, (ii) Mr. Desai
was nominated by the Desai Investors, (iii) Messrs. Cornstein and Kaplan were
nominated by Mr. Cornstein and (iv) Mr. Reiner nominated himself.
 
     The Stockholders' Agreement also provides that the executive committee of
the Board of Directors will consist of five directors, including one independent
director selected by the Board of Directors, one member designated by Mr. Lee
(so long as the Lee Investors have the right to designate a nominee for
director), one member designated by the Desai Investors (so long as the Desai
Investors have the right to designate a nominee for director) and two members
designated by Mr. Cornstein (which number will be reduced to one if Mr.
Cornstein is only entitled to designate one nominee for director and none if Mr.
Cornstein ceases to have the right to designate a nominee for director). The
executive committee
 
                                       38

<PAGE>

for the Company presently consists of Messrs. Lee, Desai, Matthews, Cornstein
and Kaplan. See 'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders' Agreement'.
 
     Under the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company's
Board of Directors is classified into three classes. The members of each class
will serve staggered three-year terms. Messrs. Desai and Lee are Class I
directors; Messrs. Cornstein, Kaplan and Reiner are Class II directors; and
Messrs. Matthews and Smith are Class III directors. The terms of the Class III,
Class I and Class II directors expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to
be held in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively. Officers serve at the discretion
of the Board of Directors.
 
     The business experience, principal occupations and employment of each of
the executive officers and directors of the Company and Finlay Jewelry, together
with their periods of service as directors and executive officers of the Company
and Finlay Jewelry, are set forth below.
 
     DAVID B. CORNSTEIN has been Chairman of the Company since May 1993 and has
been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry since their inception in
December 1988. From December 1988 to January 1996, Mr. Cornstein was President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. From December 1985 to December 1988,
Mr. Cornstein was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of a
predecessor of the Company. Mr. Cornstein is a director of What A World!, Inc.,
a public specialty gift retailer.
 
     ARTHUR E. REINER became President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company effective January 30, 1996. He has been Vice Chairman of the Board of
the Company and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay
Jewelry since January 3, 1995. Prior to joining Finlay, Mr. Reiner had spent
over 25 years with the Macy's organization. From February 1992 to October 1994,

Mr. Reiner was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's East, a subsidiary
of Macy's. From 1988 to 1992, Mr. Reiner was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Macy's Northeast, which was combined with Macy's Atlanta division to
form Macy's East in 1992. Mr. Reiner is also a director of Loehmann's, Inc.
 
     JOSEPH M. MELVIN was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company and President and Chief Operating Officer of
Finlay Jewelry on May 1, 1997. From September 1975 to March 1997, Mr. Melvin
served in various positions with May, including, from 1990 to March 1997, as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Filene's.
 
     LESLIE A. PHILIP has been Executive Vice President of the Company since May
1997 and Executive Vice President -- Merchandising and Sales Promotion of Finlay
Jewelry since May 1995. From 1993 to May 1995, Ms. Philip was Senior Vice
President -- Advertising and Sales Promotion of Macy's, and from 1988 to 1993,
Ms. Philip was Senior Vice President -- Merchandise -- Fine Jewelry at Macy's.
Ms. Philip held various other positions at Macy's from 1970 to 1988.
 
     BARRY D. SCHECKNER has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Finlay Jewelry since December 1988. Mr. Scheckner has also been
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September
1992. Prior to September 1992, he was Treasurer of the Company. From February
1983 through December 1988 Mr. Scheckner held various finance and accounting
positions with Finlay's predecessors.
 
     EDWARD STEIN has been Senior Vice President -- Director of Stores of Finlay
Jewelry since July 1995. From December 1988 to June 1995, Mr. Stein was Vice
President -- Regional Supervisor of Finlay Jewelry, and occupied similar
positions with Finlay's predecessors from 1983 to December 1988.
 
     ROHIT M. DESAI has been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry since
May 1993. Mr. Desai is the founder of and, since its formation in 1984, has been
Chairman and President of Desai Capital Management Incorporated, a specialized
equity investment management firm in New York which manages the assets of
various institutional clients, including Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., Equity-
Linked Investors-II and Private Equity Investors III, L.P. Mr. Desai is also the
managing general partner of the general partners of each of Equity-Linked
Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II and the
 
                                       39

<PAGE>

managing member of the general partner of Private Equity Investors III, L.P. Mr.
Desai serves as a director of The Rouse Company and Sunglass Hut International,
Incorporated.
 
     JAMES MARTIN KAPLAN has been a director of the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
their predecessors since 1985. Mr. Kaplan has been a partner with the law firm
of Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan, counsel to the Company, since 1977. Mr.
Kaplan is also a director of What A World!, Inc.
 
     THOMAS H. LEE has been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry since
May 1993. Since 1974, Mr. Lee has been President of Thomas H. Lee Company. He is

a director of Autotote Corporation, First Security Services Corporation, Miller
Import Corporation, Sondik Supply Corporation, Livent Inc., Playtex Products,
Inc., Signature Brands, Inc. and Vail Resorts, Inc. Mr. Lee is also a director
of a number of other privately-held companies. Mr. Lee is a general partner of
ML-Lee Acquisition Fund, L.P., ML-Lee Acquisition Fund II, L.P. and ML-Lee
Acquisition Fund (Retirements Accounts) II, L.P. (collectively, the 'ML-Lee
Funds'). Mr. Lee is Chairman of Thomas H. Lee Advisors I and general partner of
Thomas H. Lee Advisors II, L.P., the investment advisors to the ML-Lee Funds. He
is the general partner of THL Equity Advisors Limited Partnership, the general
partner of and investment advisor to Thomas H. Lee Equity Partners, L.P., and an
officer and director of THL Equity Trust III, the general partner of THL Equity
Advisors III Limited Partnership, the general partner and investment advisor to
Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III, L.P., and Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund III, L.P.
 
     NORMAN S. MATTHEWS has been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry
since July 1993. Mr. Matthews has been a retail consultant based in New York for
over six years. Prior to that time, Mr. Matthews served as President of
Federated. He is also a director of Toys 'R' Us, Inc., The Progressive
Corporation, Loehmann's, Inc. and Lechters, Inc.
 
     WARREN C. SMITH, JR. has served as a director of the Company and Finlay
Jewelry since May 1993. Mr. Smith is a Managing Director of Thomas H. Lee
Company and has been employed by Thomas H. Lee Company since 1990. In addition,
Mr. Smith is Vice President of THL Equity Trust, a general partner of THL
Equity Advisors Limited Partnership, the general partner of Thomas H. Lee Equity
Partners, L.P. He is also a director of Rayovac Corporation.
 
                                       40

<PAGE>

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
     The following table sets forth information with respect to the compensation
in 1996, 1995 and 1994 of Finlay's Chief Executive Officer and each of the four
other mostly highly compensated executive officers of the Company or Finlay
Jewelry, including the Company's former Chief Executive Officer (collectively,
the 'Named Executive Officers'). For information regarding compensation paid to
Mr. Joseph Melvin, who joined the Company in May 1997, see '-- Employment
Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                       -----------------------------
                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION                                NUMBER OF
                       ---------------------------------------------   RESTRICTED      SECURITIES
 NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                   OTHER ANNUAL       STOCK         UNDERLYING         ALL OTHER
       POSITION        YEAR    SALARY    BONUSES    COMPENSATION (1)     AWARDS     OPTIONS/SARS (2)   COMPENSATION (3)
---------------------  ----   --------   --------   ----------------   ----------   ----------------   ----------------
<S>                    <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>                <C>          <C>                <C>
ARTHUR E. REINER (4)   1996   $700,000   $253,750          --               --              --                 $ 27,495

  President, Chief     1995    666,660   215,900           --               --              --                   22,315
  Executive Officer    1994     55,555     --              --               --             69,263                 --
  and Vice Chairman
  of the Company and
  Chairman and Chief
  Executive Officer
  of Finlay Jewelry

DAVID B. CORNSTEIN     1996    600,000   137,500        $ 42,977            --              --                   51,623
  Chairman and former  1995    600,000    65,900          41,011            --             66,667                51,753
  Chief Executive      1994    500,000   275,000          36,318            --              --                   47,225
  Officer of the
  Company

LESLIE A. PHILIP (5)   1996    320,000   116,000           --               --              --                    8,730
  Executive Vice       1995    213,710    75,000           --               --             33,333                 1,974
  President of the     1994      --        --              --               --              --                    --
  Company and
  Executive Vice
  President --
  Merchandising and
  Sales Promotion of
  Finlay Jewelry

BARRY D. SCHECKNER     1996    300,000   108,750           --               --              --                    8,398
  Senior Vice          1995    300,000    35,000           --               --             10,000                 8,528
  President and Chief  1994    275,004     --              --               --              --                  108,615
  Financial Officer
  of the Company and
  Finlay Jewelry

EDWARD STEIN           1996    275,000   107,360           --               --              --                    9,105
  Senior Vice          1995    267,086    40,000           --               --              8,333                 8,716
  President and        1994    183,500    62,500           --               --              --                    8,686
  Director of Stores
  of Finlay Jewelry
</TABLE>
 
------------------
 
(1) Represents tax equalization payments made in connection with life insurance
    premiums paid by Finlay on behalf of the Named Executive Officers.
 
(2) See '-- Option/SAR Grants in 1996 and 1997'.
 
                                                   (Continued on following page)
 
                                       41

<PAGE>

(3) Includes for each Named Executive Officer the sum of the following amounts
    earned in 1996, 1995 and 1994 for such Named Executive Officer:
 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      LIFE          RETIREMENT       MEDICAL        ADDITIONAL
                                                  INSURANCE (a)    BENEFITS (b)    BENEFITS (c)    BENEFITS (d)
                                                  -------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
<S>                                       <C>     <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>
Arthur E. Reiner.......................   1996       $20,176          $5,375          $1,944             --
                                          1995        20,176            --             2,139             --
                                          1994          --              --              --               --
David B. Cornstein.....................   1996        44,304           5,375           1,944             --
                                          1995        44,304           5,310           2,139             --
                                          1994        39,242           5,310           2,673             --
Leslie A. Philip.......................   1996         1,786           5,000           1,944             --
                                          1995           450            --             1,524             --
                                          1994          --              --              --               --
Barry D. Scheckner.....................   1996         1,079           5,375           1,944             --
                                          1995         1,079           5,310           2,139             --
                                          1994           632           5,310           2,673         $100,000
Edward Stein...........................   1996         1,786           5,375           1,944             --
                                          1995         1,267           5,310           2,139             --
                                          1994           703           5,310           2,673             --
</TABLE>
 
------------------
 
     (a) Insurance premiums paid by Finlay with respect to life insurance for
         the benefit of the Named Executive Officer.
 
     (b) The dollar amount of all matching contributions and profit sharing
         contributions under Finlay's 401(k) profit sharing plan allocated to
         the account of the Named Executive Officer.
 
     (c) The insurance premiums paid in respect of the Named Executive Officer
         under Finlay's Executive Medical Benefits Plan.
 
     (d) Mr. Scheckner received a bonus in connection with the Initial Public
         Offering.
 
(4) Mr. Reiner commenced employment with Finlay on January 3, 1995 and the
    salary above for 1994 reflects only compensation for the month of January
    1995. See '-- Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'.
 
(5) Ms. Philip commenced employment with Finlay on May 15, 1995 and the salary
    above for 1995 reflects only compensation for the period from May 15, 1995
    through February 3, 1996. Ms. Philip's annual salary for 1995 was at the
    rate of $300,000.
 
     On January 30, 1996, Mr. Reiner became President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. He has also been Vice Chairman of the Company and
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry since January 3, 1995.
Mr. Cornstein continues as the Chairman of the Company. For a discussion of the
employment arrangements with Messrs. Reiner and Cornstein, see 'Risk Factors --
Dependence on Key Officers' and '-- Employment Agreements and Change of Control
Arrangements'.

 
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
 
     The Company currently has two long-term incentive plans, for which it has
reserved a total of 1,082,596 shares of Common Stock for issuance in connection
with awards. Of this total, 732,596 shares of Common Stock have been reserved
for issuance under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan (the '1993 Plan'), of
which 79,750 shares have been issued to date in connection with exercises of
options granted under the 1993 Plan and 645,919 shares are reserved for issuance
upon exercise of currently outstanding options. The remaining 6,927 shares of
Common Stock are available for future grants under the 1993 Plan. In 1997, the
Company's Board of Directors and stockholders approved the Company's 1997 Long
Term Incentive Plan (the '1997 Plan' and, together with the 1993 Plan, the
'Incentive Plans'), which is intended as a successor to the 1993 Plan. The 1997
Plan is similar to the 1993 Plan and provides for the grant of the same types of
awards as are currently available under the 1993 Plan. The maximum number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 1997 Plan is 350,000.
The Company has granted options to purchase 312,815 shares of Common Stock under
the 1997 Plan. The remaining 37,185 shares of Common Stock are available for
future grants under the 1997 Plan. See '-- Option/SAR Grants in 1996 and 1997'.
 
     The Incentive Plans permit the Company to grant to key employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries, consultants and certain other persons and
directors of the Company (other than, in the case of 1993 Plan, members of the
Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors), the following: (i)
stock options; (ii) stock appreciation rights in tandem with stock options;
(iii) limited stock appreciation rights in tandem with stock options; (iv)
restricted or nonrestricted stock awards subject to such terms and conditions as
the Compensation Committee shall determine; (v) performance units
 
                                       42

<PAGE>

which are based upon attainment of performance goals during a period of not less
than two nor more than five years and which may be settled in cash or in Common
Stock in the discretion of the Company's Compensation Committee; or (vi) any
combination of the foregoing. The 1997 Plan provides, however, that no
participant thereunder may be granted, during any fiscal year, options or other
awards relating to more than 175,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
     Under the Incentive Plans, the Company may grant stock options which are
either 'incentive stock options' ('Incentive Options') within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), or
non-incentive stock options ('Non-incentive Options'). Incentive Options are
designed to result in beneficial tax treatment to the optionee, but no tax
deduction for the Company. Nonincentive Options will not give the optionee the
tax benefits of Incentive Options, but generally will entitle the Company to a
tax deduction when and to the extent income is recognized by the optionee.
 
     The Incentive Plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors which, pursuant to the Incentive Plans, consists of
at least two directors. Subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plans, the
Compensation Committee has sole discretion (i) to select the individuals to

participate in the Incentive Plans, (ii) to determine the form and substance of
grants made under the Incentive Plans to each participant, and the conditions
and restrictions, if any, subject to which such grants are made, (iii) to
interpret the Incentive Plans and (iv) to adopt, amend or rescind such rules and
regulations for carrying out the Incentive Plans as it may deem appropriate.
 
     The Incentive Plans provide that the per share exercise price of an option
granted under the plans shall be determined by the Compensation Committee.
However, the exercise price of an Incentive Option may not be less than 100% of
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted and
the duration of an Incentive Option may not exceed ten years from the date of
grant. In addition, an Incentive Option that is granted to an employee who, at
the time the option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the 'employer
corporation' (as such term is used in the Code) or any parent or subsidiary
thereof shall have a per share exercise price which is at least 110% of the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted and the
duration of any such option may not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Options granted under the Incentive Plans become exercisable at such time or
times as the Compensation Committee may determine at the time the option is
granted. Options are nontransferable (except by will or intestacy on the death
of the optionee) and during a participant's lifetime are exercisable only by
such participant.
 
     In making grants to employees under the Incentive Plans, the Company has on
occasion utilized a uniform Agreement and Certificate of Option (the 'Option
Agreement'), pursuant to which the Company grants ten-year options, 20% of which
vest on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. The Option
Agreement also contains transfer and certain other restrictions and provides
that options not vested may expire, or shares acquired upon exercise of options
may be repurchased at their exercise price, in the event of termination of
employment under certain circumstances. In addition, the Option Agreement
provides that (i) if an optionee's employment is terminated for 'Cause' (as
defined in the Option Agreement), such optionee's options will terminate
immediately, (ii) if an optionee's employment is terminated due to death,
'Disability' or 'Retirement' (each as defined in the Incentive Plans), such
optionee's options become fully vested and exercisable for a period of 21 days
following such termination and (iii) if an optionee's employment is terminated
for any other reason, such optionee's options remain exercisable to the extent
vested for a period of 21 days following such termination.
 
     The Incentive Plans may be amended or terminated by the Board at any time,
but no such termination or amendment may, without the consent of a participant,
adversely affect such participant's rights with respect to previously granted
awards. Under the 1993 Plan, the approval of the Company's stockholders is
required for any amendment (i) to increase the maximum number of shares subject
to awards under the 1993 Plan, (ii) to change the class of persons eligible to
participate and/or receive incentive stock options under the 1993 Plan, (iii) to
change the requirements for serving on the Compensation Committee or (iv) to
increase materially the benefits accruing to participants under the 1993 Plan.
Under the 1997 Plan, the approval of the Company's stockholders is required to
amend the 1997 Plan if the Compensation Committee determines that such approval
would be necessary to retain the benefits of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act
(with respect to participants who are subject to

 
                                       43

<PAGE>

Section 16 thereof), Section 162(m) of the Code (with respect to 'covered
employees' within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code) or Section 422 of
the Code (with respect to Incentive Options), or if such stockholder approval is
otherwise required by federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any
exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock may then be
listed or quoted, or if the Board of Directors otherwise determines to submit
such action for stockholder approval.
 
     Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Incentive Plans, in the
event the Compensation Committee determines that any corporate transaction or
event affects the shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property
subject to an award under the Incentive Plans) such that an adjustment is
determined by the Compensation Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Incentive Plans, then the Compensation Committee shall,
in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and
type of shares (or other securities or property) with respect to which awards
may be granted under the Incentive Plans, (ii) the number and type of shares (or
other securities or property) subject to outstanding awards under the Incentive
Plans or (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any awards under the
Incentive Plans or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to
the holder of an outstanding award in consideration for the cancellation of such
award (which, in the case of an option, will be equal to the positive
difference, if any, between the Market Value (as defined in the Incentive Plans)
of the shares covered by such option, as determined immediately prior to such
corporate transaction or event, and the exercise price per share of such
option).
 
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN 1996 AND 1997
 
     No options or stock appreciation rights were issued by the Company to the
Named Executive Officers during 1996. In 1997, the Company granted options to
purchase a total of 452,534 shares of Common Stock, of which options to purchase
300,000, 26,667, 13,000 and 12,667 shares were granted to Mr. Reiner, Ms.
Philip, Mr. Scheckner and Mr. Stein, respectively, at exercise prices ranging
from $13.875 to $14.00 per share. All of these options were granted under the
1997 Plan, except for the options with respect to 139,719 of the 300,000 shares
included in options granted to Mr. Reiner. The options vest and become
exercisable in equal installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the
date of grant, except for the options granted to Mr. Reiner, which vest and
become exercisable on January 2, 2001 so long as Mr. Reiner is employed by the
Company on such date, subject to various terms and conditions regarding early
vesting and early termination.
 
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING STOCK OPTIONS/SARS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock
options exercised in 1996 as well as the value of stock options at the fiscal
year end. No stock appreciation rights were exercised during 1996.

 
  AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN 1996 AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         NUMBER OF             VALUE OF
                                                                        SECURITIES            UNEXERCISED
                                                                        UNDERLYING              IN-THE
                                                                        UNEXERCISED              MONEY
                                                                      OPTIONS/SARS AT       OPTIONS/SARS AT
                                           SHARES                        YEAR-END            YEAR-END ($)
                                          ACQUIRED       VALUE         EXERCISABLE/          EXERCISABLE/
                 NAME                    ON EXERCISE    REALIZED       UNEXERCISABLE       UNEXERCISABLE (6)
--------------------------------------   -----------    --------    -------------------    -----------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>         <C>                    <C>
Arthur E. Reiner......................       --            --       23,088 / 46,175(1)     $17,316 / $34,631
David B. Cornstein....................       --            --       26,667 / 40,000(2)      20,000 /  30,000
Leslie A. Philip......................       --            --        6,667 / 26,666(3)      23,750 /  94,999
Barry D. Scheckner....................       --            --        9,200 / 12,800(4)      55,644 /  42,096
Edward Stein..........................       --            --        7,067 / 10,266(5)      41,858 /  32,072
</TABLE>
 
                                                   (Continued on following page)
 
                                       44

<PAGE>

------------------
(1)  Represents for Mr. Reiner 69,263 options granted on January 3, 1995 (all at
     an exercise price of $14.00 per share), of which 34,631 are
     performance-based and 34,632 are time-based. An aggregate of 23,088 of the
     time-based options became exercisable on February 3, 1996 and February 1,
     1997 and the balance of the time-based options, totaling 11,544, vest on
     January 31, 1998.
 
(2)  Represents for Mr. Cornstein 66,667 options granted on March 30, 1995 (all
     at an exercise price of $14.00 per share), of which an aggregate of 26,667
     became exercisable on March 30, 1995 and 1996 and the balance of 40,000
     vest and become exercisable at a rate of 13,333 per annum on each
     anniversary of the date of grant.
 
(3)  Represents for Ms. Philip 33,333 time-based options granted on May 16, 1995
     (all at an exercise price of $11.19 per share), of which 6,667 become
     exercisable on May 16, 1996 and the balance of 26,666 vest and become
     exercisable at a rate of 6,667 per annum on each anniversary of the date of
     grant.
 
(4)  Represents for Mr. Scheckner (i) 12,000 time-based options granted on May
     26, 1993 at an exercise price of $7.23 per share, of which an aggregate of
     7,200 became exercisable on May 26, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the balance of
     4,800 vest and become exercisable at a rate 2,400 per annum on each
     anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) 10,000 time-based options granted
     on April 5, 1995 at an exercise price of $14.00 per share, of which 2,000

     became exercisable on April 5, 1996 and the balance of 8,000 vest and
     become exercisable at a rate of 2,000 per annum on each anniversary of the
     date of grant.
 
(5)  Represents for Mr. Stein (i) 9,000 time-based options granted on May 26,
     1993 at an exercise price of $7.23 per share, of which an aggregate of
     5,400 became exercisable on May 26, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the balance of
     3,600 vest and become exercisable at a rate of 1,800 per annum on each
     anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) 8,333 time-based options granted
     on April 5, 1995 at an exercise price of $14.00 per share, of which 1,667
     became exercisable on April 5, 1996 and the balance of 6,666 vest and
     become exercisable at a rate of 1,667 per annum on each anniversary of the
     date of grant.
 
(6)  The values of Unexercised In-the-Money Options/SARs represent the aggregate
     amount of the excess of $14.75, the closing price for a share of Common
     Stock at year end, over the relevant exercise price of all 'in-the-money'
     options.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Compensation Committee is presently comprised of Rohit M. Desai and
Thomas H. Lee. All decisions with respect to executive compensation of both the
Company and Finlay Jewelry are currently made by the Compensation Committee.
None of the present Compensation Committee members were, at any time, an officer
or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
     In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions, the Company, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and certain other
stockholders entered into (i) the Registration Rights Agreement, which grants
certain registration rights to the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and the
Management Stockholders and (ii) the Stockholders' Agreement, which granted
certain rights to, and imposed certain restrictions on the rights of, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and certain other
stockholders. The predecessor to the Stockholders' Agreement was amended and
restated in connection with the Initial Public Offering. See 'Certain
Transactions'.
 
     In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions in May 1993, the
Company and Finlay Jewelry entered into management agreements with each of
Thomas H. Lee Company (the 'Lee Management Agreement') and Desai Capital
Management Incorporated (the 'Desai Management Agreement' and, together with the
Lee Management Agreement, the 'Management Agreements'), affiliates of Mr. Lee
and Mr. Desai, respectively. Pursuant to the Management Agreements, Thomas H.
Lee Capital LLC (as assignee of Thomas H. Lee Company) and Desai Capital
Management Incorporated are entitled to receive $180,000 and $60,000 per year
plus expenses, respectively, during the five-year period commencing May 1993 for
consulting and management advisory services rendered to the Company and Finlay
Jewelry. After the initial five-year term, each of the Management Agreement will
be automatically renewable on an annual basis, unless any party thereto serves
notice of termination at least 90 days prior to the renewal date. Each of the
Management Agreements contain provisions entitling the managing company to
indemnification under certain circumstances for losses incurred in the course of
service to the Company or Finlay Jewelry.

 
     Any future transactions between the Company and/or Finlay Jewelry and the
officers, directors and affiliates thereof will be on terms no less favorable to
the Company and Finlay Jewelry than can be obtained from unaffiliated third
parties, and any material transactions with such persons will be approved by a
majority of the disinterested directors of the Company or Finlay Jewelry, as the
case may be.
 
                                       45

<PAGE>

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
     Effective January 3, 1995, Finlay entered into an employment agreement with
Arthur E. Reiner to employ Mr. Reiner as Vice Chairman of the Company and
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry. On January 30, 1996, as
contemplated by Mr. Reiner's employment agreement, the Company's Board of
Directors appointed Mr. Reiner to the office of President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. The employment agreement, as subsequently amended,
provides for Mr. Reiner to serve in such offices for a term expiring on January
31, 2001. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Reiner received an annual
base salary of approximately $666,660 in 1995, which was increased to $700,000
on the first day of 1996 and to $750,000 on the first day of 1997. Thereafter,
further increases will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Company. In addition to his annual base salary, Mr. Reiner will be entitled to
an annual bonus payment based on a target incentive amount equal to one-half of
his base salary for the applicable year (the 'Incentive Amount'). The payment of
the bonus in respect of a particular year will be based on the achievement by
Finlay of certain financial performance criteria based on EBITA-FIFO (the
'Target Level'), with 20% of the Incentive Amount payable if 90% of the Target
Level is achieved, increasing incrementally on a pro rata basis to 80% of the
Incentive Amount payable if 100% of the Target Level is achieved, increasing
further incrementally on a pro rata basis to 160% of the Incentive Amount
payable if 140% of the Target Level is achieved, and if over 140% of the Target
Level is achieved, the annual bonus payment shall equal 160% of the Incentive
Amount plus 1% of the Incentive Amount for each percentage point by which
Finlay's measured performance exceeds 140% of the Target Level. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, with respect to 1995, pursuant to the terms of his employment
agreement, Mr. Reiner received a bonus in the amount of $215,900.
 
     Under the agreement, Mr. Reiner received in January 1995 options under the
1993 Plan to purchase 69,263 shares of Common Stock at and an exercise price of
$14.00 per share. Of those options, one-half are time-based and one-half
performance-accelerated, vesting in ten years subject to accelerated vesting
upon achievement of specified performance goals. Of the time-based options, one-
third became exercisable on each of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and
one-third will become exercisable on January 31, 1998. One-third of the
performance-accelerated options will vest for each fiscal year commencing with
1995 for which EBITA-FIFO in the applicable year equals or exceeds certain
specified target levels in that year and any subsequent year. To date, none of
the performance-accelerated options have vested.
 
     In the event of Mr. Reiner's termination of employment either by the

Company for 'Cause' (as defined in the agreement), by Mr. Reiner for any reason
(other than 'Good Reason', as defined in the agreement) or as a result of Mr.
Reiner's death or Disability (as defined in the agreement), all the options, to
the extent not then exercisable, shall terminate. In the event of Mr. Reiner's
termination of employment either by the Company without 'Cause' or by Mr. Reiner
for 'Good Reason', all the options, to the extent not then exercisable, shall
thereupon become fully exercisable. In the event of Mr. Reiner's termination of
employment for any reason after January 31, 1998, all performance-accelerated
options, to the extent not then exercisable, shall terminate. In addition, in
the event of a 'Change of Control' (as defined in the agreement), (i) any
outstanding time-based options shall become exercisable and (ii) the
performance-accelerated options will vest to the extent (a) the 'Enterprise
Value' of the Company (as defined in the agreement) exceeds certain established
'Enterprise Value' targets set forth in the agreement with respect to the fiscal
year in which the 'Change of Control' occurs or (b) the 'Change of Control'
represents a per share of Common Stock transaction price in excess of 130% of
the fair market value per share of Common Stock determined immediately prior to
the public announcement of such 'Change of Control'.
 
     Upon the commencement of his employment, Mr. Reiner purchased 138,525
shares of Common Stock (the 'Purchased Shares') at a purchase price of $7.23 per
share. The aggregate purchase price of the Purchased Shares was paid in the form
of a note issued by Mr. Reiner to the Company, the repayment of which is secured
by the Purchased Shares and certain proceeds received by Mr. Reiner upon
disposition of the Purchased Shares or upon any distribution paid on or with
respect to the Purchased Shares. In the event Mr. Reiner's employment is
terminated, the Purchased Shares
 
                                       46

<PAGE>

(together with vested options and shares issued upon exercise of vested options
('Option Shares')) are subject to certain call rights and the Option Shares are
additionally subject to certain put rights. In the event the Company does not
exercise its call rights, the rights may be exercised by the Lee Investors and
the Desai Investors, pro rata based on their respective ownership of Common
Stock. The Purchased Shares and Option Shares are subject to certain
restrictions on transfer and registration rights set forth in the agreement and
are subject to the Stockholders' Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement, other than the provisions thereof relating to restrictions on
transfer. See 'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders' Agreement' and 'Certain
Transactions -- Registration Rights Agreement'.
 
     Under Mr. Reiner's agreement, subject to certain specified limitations,
Finlay is required to maintain life insurance on the life of Mr. Reiner in the
amount of $5.0 million, payable to his beneficiaries, and to provide Mr. Reiner
with catastrophic health insurance. In addition, Finlay is required to reimburse
Mr. Reiner for any income taxes owed by him as a result of the premiums paid by
Finlay with respect to such life insurance. The employment agreement also
provides for Mr. Reiner to receive an annual allowance for business use of an
automobile of up to $15,000.
 
     Mr. Reiner's agreement provides that if his employment is terminated prior

to a 'Change of Control' either by the Company without 'Cause' or by Mr. Reiner
for 'Good Reason', Mr. Reiner will continue to receive his base salary for the
balance of the term and bonus compensation (calculated as though 110% of the
Target Level were achieved) as if such termination had not occurred. In the
event he is terminated without 'Cause' and coincident with or following a
'Change of Control', Mr. Reiner shall be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to
299% of his 'base amount' (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code). In the
event that Mr. Reiner voluntarily terminates his employment within one year
following a 'Change of Control' in connection with which the acquirer did not
expressly assume Mr. Reiner's agreement and extend its term for an additional
three years or otherwise offer Mr. Reiner a contract on terms no less favorable
than those provided under the existing agreement providing for a term of at
least three years, or if he terminates his employment following a 'Change of
Control' for 'Good Reason', he will be entitled to a payment equal to 299% of
the 'base amount'. In the event that Mr. Reiner is terminated for 'Cause' or if
he voluntarily terminates his employment without 'Good Reason' prior to the
occurrence of a 'Change of Control', he shall be entitled to receive his base
salary through the date of termination and any bonus earned with respect to a
previously completed fiscal year which remains unpaid. Payments made to Mr.
Reiner upon termination of employment are subject to certain restrictions in the
event that such payments constitute 'parachute payments' under Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code. In addition, Mr. Reiner is required to mitigate certain
payments made to him under the agreement under certain limited circumstances.
 
     Under Mr. Reiner's agreement, a 'Change of Control' occurs when (i) a
person or group other than certain of the Company's existing stockholders and
certain related parties becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the
aggregate voting power of the Company, (ii) during any period of two consecutive
calendar years, there are certain changes in the composition of the Company's
Board of Directors or (iii) there is a sale of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets.
 
     On March 5, 1997, Mr. Reiner received an option under the 1993 Plan to
purchase an aggregate of 139,719 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$14.00 per share. Such option vests and becomes exercisable on January 2, 2001
so long as Mr. Reiner is employed by the Company on such date; provided,
however, that such option is subject to early vesting and early termination
under certain circumstances and are subject to various conditions. The Company
has also granted to Mr. Reiner an additional option under the 1997 Plan to
purchase 160,281 shares of Common Stock, which option has an exercise price of
$13.875 per share and is subject to similar terms and conditions regarding
vesting and termination.
 
     Effective May 26, 1993, Mr. Cornstein entered into an employment agreement
with Finlay providing for his employment as President and Chief Executive
Officer, and his appointment as Chairman of the Board, of the Company for a term
expiring on January 31, 1998. On January 30, 1996, Mr. Reiner was appointed
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Cornstein continues as
the Chairman of the Company. Mr. Cornstein's employment contract was recently
extended through
 
                                       47

<PAGE>


January 31, 1999. Upon the expiration of the term of his employment agreement on
January 31, 1999, Mr. Cornstein is expected to become Chairman Emeritus of the
Company.
 
     Under his employment agreement, Mr. Cornstein is entitled to an annual
salary of $600,000 through the term of his agreement. In addition to his annual
salary, Mr. Cornstein is entitled to receive an annual bonus payment up to a
maximum of $250,000. The payment of the bonus in respect of a particular year
will be based on the achievement by Finlay of the Target Level, with 20% of the
maximum bonus payable if 90% of the Target Level is achieved, increasing
incrementally on a pro rata basis to 60% of the maximum bonus level payable if
100% of the Target Level is achieved, and further increasing incrementally on a
pro rata basis to 100% of the maximum bonus payable if 120% of the Target Level
is achieved. In addition, the Board may award bonus compensation outside of the
bonus prescribed under Mr. Cornstein's employment agreement.
 
     Under Mr. Cornstein's employment agreement, Finlay is required to maintain
insurance of $10.0 million on the life of Mr. Cornstein, payable to his
beneficiaries, and Mr. Cornstein is entitled to reimbursement for the income tax
liability resulting from Finlay's payment of premiums for the insurance.
Furthermore, the agreement requires Finlay to procure and pay for catastrophic
health insurance and the income tax liability related to such payments, if any.
 
     The agreement further provides that if Mr. Cornstein is terminated other
than for 'Cause' (as defined therein) or if he elects, as provided in the
agreement, to treat certain acts or omissions of the employer as a termination
of employment without 'Cause', Mr. Cornstein will, in addition to continuing to
receive his base salary, bonus and other benefits provided thereunder for the
balance of the term, also be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to
the sum of one year's base salary plus the average of the annual bonuses paid
during the term of the agreement (the 'Severance Amount'). The agreement
provides that the Severance Amount will be paid over a two-year period
commencing at the scheduled expiration of the term. In addition, if Mr.
Cornstein's agreement is not extended or renewed at the scheduled expiration of
its term, Mr. Cornstein will also be entitled to a severance payment equal to
the Severance Amount.
 
     Under Mr. Cornstein's agreement, in the event of a 'Change of Control' (as
defined therein) of the Company, if at any time within twelve months following
the 'Change of Control' Mr. Cornstein is no longer employed by Finlay (or any
entity which succeeds to the obligations of Finlay under the employment
agreement following the 'Change of Control') for any reason other than death or
disability, Mr. Cornstein will be entitled to a lump sum payment ('Change of
Control Payment') equal to the net present value of the base salary and bonus
payable to him over the remainder of the term (calculated, in the case of the
bonus, assuming the annual bonuses payable for each remaining year shall equal
the average of the annual bonuses paid to him for preceding years during the
term). However, if the Change of Control Payment does not equal or exceed the
lesser of (i) 299% of the Severance Amount or (ii) the amount, if any, by which
the fair market value of (a) equity interests in the Company and Finlay Jewelry
which Mr. Cornstein continues to hold after the Change of Control, (b) amounts
which he is entitled to receive in exchange for or as a distribution in respect
of his equity interests in the Company and Finlay Jewelry as a result of the

'Change of Control' and (c) any other consideration received as a result of the
'Change of Control' (other than pursuant to his employment agreement) is less
than $7.5 million, then Mr. Cornstein shall receive, in lieu of the Change of
Control Payment, the lesser of (i) and (ii).
 
     Under Mr. Cornstein's agreement, a 'Change of Control' occurs when (i) a
person or group other than certain of the Company's existing stockholders and
certain related parties becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the
aggregate voting power of the Company or (ii) during any period of two
consecutive calendar years, there are certain changes in the composition of the
Company's Board of Directors.
 
     A portion of any payments which may be made upon such a 'Change of Control'
may be deemed an 'excess parachute payment' within the meaning of the Code, in
which event such portion will not be a deductible expense for tax purposes for
the Company.
 
                                       48

<PAGE>

     On May 1, 1997, the Company appointed Mr. Melvin to serve as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and President and Chief
Operating Officer of Finlay Jewelry. The Company has agreed to pay to Mr. Melvin
an annual base salary of $350,000 as well as an annual bonus based on the
achievement of certain targets, except that Mr. Melvin will receive a guaranteed
bonus of $75,000 during the first year of his employment. In addition, Mr.
Melvin was paid a $25,000 bonus upon his joining the Company. On May 1, 1997,
Finlay granted to Mr. Melvin an option under the 1997 Plan to purchase 50,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to $14.875. The
option will vest in equal installments on each of the first five anniversaries
of the grant date. The option will be subject to early termination under certain
circumstances and will be subject to various conditions. Mr. Melvin is also
eligible for such benefits as are available to other senior executives of
Finlay, including reimbursement of moving and relocation expenses. In the event
Mr. Melvin's employment is terminated by Finlay without cause (not including
death or disability) or his title is changed to a lesser title, he is entitled
to receive a lump sum payment equal to one year's base salary.
 
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
     Directors who are employees receive no additional compensation for serving
as members of the Board. Messrs. Lee, Desai, Smith and Kaplan receive no
compensation for serving as directors of the Company. For a discussion of
certain fees paid to affiliates of Messrs. Lee and Desai, see 'Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation'. For serving as a director of
the Company, Mr. Matthews receives aggregate compensation at the rate of $20,000
per year. Prior to the Initial Public Offering, Finlay had an agreement to
engage Mr. Matthews as a consultant at a per diem rate of $2,500, with such fees
in the aggregate not to exceed $80,000 per year. In 1996, 1995 and 1994, Mr.
Matthews received a total of $20,000, $20,000 and $66,311, respectively, for his
services as a director and consultant. The consulting agreement between Finlay
and Mr. Matthews was terminated upon completion of the Initial Public Offering,
except that all of the provisions of the consulting agreement relating to

options to purchase Common Stock granted to Mr. Matthews (as described below)
remained in effect. Mr. Matthews was granted, effective as of July 1993, options
under the 1993 Plan to purchase 33,333 shares of Common Stock, 16,667 of which
have an exercise price of $12.00 per share and 16,666 of which have an exercise
price of $16.50 per share. Twenty percent of these options vest on each of the
first five anniversaries of the grant date, with the unvested portion of such
options fully vesting on a 'Change of Control' (as defined in the consulting
agreement). On March 30, 1995, Mr. Matthews was granted additional options under
the 1993 Plan to purchase 16,667 shares of Common Stock at a price of $14.00.
Twenty percent of these options vested immediately, and an additional twenty
percent of such options vest on each of the first four anniversaries of the
grant date. On January 30, 1996, Mr. Matthews was granted additional options
under the 1993 Plan to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of
$11.16 per share, which options vested and became exercisable in January 1997.
In addition, on March 6, 1997, Mr. Matthews was granted an option under the 1997
Plan to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $13.875
per share, twenty percent of which options will vest on each of the first five
anniversaries of the grant date. All of Mr. Matthews' options are subject to
early termination under certain circumstances and are subject to various
conditions.
 
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     Prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering, Finlay entered into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers.
For a complete description of these agreements, see 'Certain Transactions --
Certain Other Transactions'.
 
                                       49

<PAGE>

                       PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of September 1, 1997, and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of shares offered hereby, by each of the Company's
directors and the Named Executive Officers, by all directors and executive
officers as a group and by the Selling Stockholder. No other person is known by
the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock. The Company
owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Finlay Jewelry.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       SHARES OF COMMON STOCK                  SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                         BENEFICIALLY OWNED                      BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                          BEFORE SALE UNDER                       AFTER SALE UNDER
                                         THIS PROSPECTUS (1)      SHARES TO      THIS PROSPECTUS (1)
                                       -----------------------     BE SOLD     -----------------------
                                       NUMBER OF    PERCENTAGE    ---------    NUMBER OF    PERCENTAGE
NAME                                    SHARES       OF CLASS                   SHARES       OF CLASS
------------------------------------   ---------    ----------                 ---------    ----------
<S>                                    <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
Thomas H. Lee (2)...................   2,347,529       31.0%         --        2,347,529       24.4%
Rohit M. Desai (3)..................   1,657,441       21.9        953,029       704,412        7.3
David B. Cornstein (4)(5)...........     515,862        6.8          --          515,862        5.3
Arthur E. Reiner (5)(6).............     167,735        2.2          --          167,735        1.7
Norman S. Matthews (7)..............      46,667         *           --           46,667         *
Warren C. Smith, Jr. (8)............      29,168         *           --           29,168         *
Barry D. Scheckner (5)(9)...........      15,600         *           --           15,600         *
Leslie A. Philip (5)(10)............      13,333         *           --           13,333         *
Edward Stein (5)(11)................      11,533         *           --           11,533         *
James Martin Kaplan (5).............       4,000         *           --            4,000         *
All Directors and Executive Officers
  as a group (11 persons) (12)......   4,794,285       62.1%       953,029     3,841,256       39.3%
</TABLE>
 
------------------
  * Less than one percent.
 
 (1) The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
     respect to all shares of Common Stock subject to the terms of the
     Stockholders' Agreement.
 
 (2) Includes 2,048,808 shares of Common Stock held of record by Thomas H. Lee
     Equity Partners, L.P. ('THLEP'), the general partner of which is THL Equity
     Advisors Limited Partnership, a Massachusetts limited partnership of which
     Mr. Lee is a general partner, and 298,721 shares of Common Stock held of
     record by 1989 Thomas H. Lee Nominee Trust (the 'Nominee Trust'). Mr. Lee's
     address is c/o Thomas H. Lee Capital, L.L.C., 590 Madison Avenue, New York,
     New York 10022.
 
 (3) Includes 953,029 shares of Common Stock held of record by Equity-Linked
     Investors, L.P. ('ELI-I') and 704,412 shares of Common Stock held of record

     by Equity-Linked Investors-II ('ELI-II'). All 953,029 shares owned by ELI-I
     are being sold in the Offering. ELI-I and ELI-II are limited partnerships,
     the general partners of which are Rohit M. Desai Associates and Rohit M.
     Desai Associates-II (together, the 'General Partners'), respectively. As
     general partners, the General Partners have the power to vote and dispose
     of these securities. Rohit M. Desai is the managing general partner of each
     of the General Partners. Mr. Desai is also the sole stockholder, chairman
     of the board and president of Desai Capital Management Incorporated
     ('DCMI'), which acts as an investment advisor to ELI-I and ELI-II. Under
     the investment advisory agreements between DCMI and each of ELI-I and
     ELI-II, decisions as to the voting or disposition of these securities may
     be made by DCMI. DCMI and Mr. Desai disclaim beneficial ownership of the
     securities. The address of Mr. Desai, ELI-I and ELI-II is c/o Desai Capital
     Management Incorporated, 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022.
 
 (4) Includes options to acquire 40,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share.
 
 (5) The address of Messrs. Cornstein, Reiner, Scheckner, Stein and Kaplan and
     Ms. Philip is in care of the Company, 521 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
     10175.
 
 (6) Includes options to acquire 23,088 shares of Common Stock granted in 1994
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share. In accordance with applicable
     Commission rules, does not include 346,175 shares subject to options not
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
                                                   (Continued on following page)
 
                                       50

<PAGE>

 (7) Includes options to acquire 13,333 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an exercise price of $12.00 per share, options to acquire 13,334
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1993 having an exercise price of $16.50
     per share, options to acquire 10,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share and options to acquire 10,000
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1996 having an exercise price of $11.16
     per share. Mr. Matthew's address is 650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
     10022.
 
 (8) Includes options to acquire 14,584 shares from the Nominee Trust. Mr.
     Smith's address is c/o Thomas H. Lee Company, 75 State Street, Boston,
     Massachusetts 02109.
 
 (9) Includes options to acquire 9,600 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an exercise price of $7.23 per share and options to acquire 4,000
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1995 having an exercise price of $14.00
     per share.
 
(10) Includes options to acquire 13,333 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $11.19 per share.
 

(11) Includes options to acquire 7,200 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an exercise price of $7.23 per share and options to acquire 3,333
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1995 having an exercise price of $14.00
     per share.
 
(12) Includes options to acquire 147,221 shares having exercise prices ranging
     from $7.23 to $16.50 per share.
 
                                       51

<PAGE>

                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
THE 1993 RECAPITALIZATION
 
     In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions, the Lee Investors and
the Desai Investors invested in units consisting of the Company's Series C
Preferred Stock and Common Stock. Concurrently, certain other existing classes
of preferred stock and all outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock were
redeemed. These equity related transactions resulted in the Lee Investors and
the Desai Investors obtaining beneficial ownership of 52.6% of the
then-outstanding Common Stock.
 
     The Recapitalization Transactions also included the public issuance by the
Company of units consisting of the Debentures and Common Stock, the public
issuance by Finlay Jewelry of the Notes and the refinancing of the Company's
outstanding term loans and revolving indebtedness with the Revolving Credit
Facility. In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions, certain
executive officers and directors of the Company and Finlay Jewelry entered into
new employment agreements with Finlay. Also in connection with the
Recapitalization Transactions, Finlay entered into the Lee Management Agreement
with an affiliate of the Lee Investors and the Desai Management Agreement with
an affiliate of the Desai Investors. In July 1993, Finlay entered into a
consulting agreement with Norman Matthews, which agreement was terminated, in
part, upon completion of the Initial Public Offering. See '-- Employment
Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements', '-- Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation' and '-- Directors' Compensation' under the
caption 'Management -- Executive Compensation'.
 
THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING, SERIES C EXCHANGE AND STOCKHOLDER PURCHASE
 
     In April 1995, the Company completed the Initial Public Offering, in which
2,615,000 shares of Common Stock were sold to the public at a price of $14.00
per share, 2,500,000 of which were sold by the Company and 115,000 of which were
sold by certain non-management selling stockholders. The Company used the net
proceeds of the Initial Public Offering to repurchase a portion of the
outstanding Debentures and the balance thereof to reduce a portion of the
outstanding balance under, and accrued interest on, the Revolving Credit
Facility and to pay transaction costs. As part of the Initial Public Offering,
the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and the Management Stockholders purchased
an aggregate of 208,163 shares of Common Stock from the underwriters of the
Initial Public Offering at the initial public offering price of $14.00 per
share. Immediately prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering, the

holders of the Company's Series C Preferred Stock exchanged all outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock with the Company for 2,581,784 shares of
Common Stock. For the purposes of the Series C Exchange, the outstanding Series
C Preferred Stock was (i) valued at its liquidation value of $30,000,000 plus
$6,145,000 of accrued dividends through April 13, 1995, paid in kind at a
quarterly rate of 2.5%, and (ii) exchanged for Common Stock at the price of the
Initial Public Offering. In connection with the Series C Exchange, a $10,000,000
non-recurring, non-cash charge representing the difference between the
liquidation value and the carrying value of the Series C Preferred Stock was
recorded.
 
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
 
     Prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering, the Lee Investors, the
Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders, all employees holding options to
purchase Common Stock, certain private investors and the Company entered into
the Stockholders' Agreement, which sets forth certain rights and obligations of
the parties with respect to the Common Stock and corporate governance of the
Company. Any employees of Finlay not parties to the Stockholders' Agreement who
received options to purchase Common Stock in connection with their employment
have been, and will continue to be, required to become parties to the
Stockholders' Agreement.
 
     The Stockholders' Agreement, as amended, provides that the parties thereto
must vote their shares to fix the number of members of the Board of Directors of
the Company at eight and to vote in favor of six directors who are nominated as
follows: two by the Lee Investors; one by the Desai Investors; two by Mr.
Cornstein (one of whom must be a management employee of the Company); and one by
 
                                       52

<PAGE>

Mr. Reiner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of various persons to
designate directors will be reduced or eliminated at such time as they own less
than certain specified percentages of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding or in certain cases are no longer an employee of the Company. The
designees of the Lee Investors currently serving on the Board of Directors are
Messrs. Lee and Smith; the designee of the Desai Investors is Mr. Desai; the
designees of Mr. Cornstein are Messrs. Cornstein and Kaplan; and Mr. Reiner is
his own designee. The Stockholders' Agreement also provides for the Executive
Committee to consist of five directors, including one director not a party to
the Stockholders' Agreement selected by the Board of Directors, one member
designated by Mr. Lee (so long as the Lee Investors have the right to designate
a nominee for director), one member designated by the Desai Investors (so long
as the Desai Investors have the right to designate a nominee for director) and
two members designated by Mr. Cornstein (which number will be reduced to one if
Mr. Cornstein is only entitled to designate one nominee for director and none if
Mr. Cornstein ceases to have the right to designate a nominee for director).
When a stockholder or group of stockholders loses the right to designate a
director, such director is to be designated instead by a majority of the
directors of the Company. The Executive Committee of the Company's Board
consists at present of Messrs. Lee, Desai, Matthews, Cornstein and Kaplan.
 

     In addition, the Stockholders' Agreement provides that the parties thereto
have (i) certain 'come along' rights allowing them to participate in private
sales of Common Stock by parties selling at least a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock and (ii) certain 'take along' rights allowing parties who
are selling at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock to
require the other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement to sell all or a
portion of their shares of Common Stock to the same purchaser in the same
transaction on the same terms.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
     The Registration Rights Agreement grants certain registration rights to the
Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, certain other investors and the Management
Stockholders. Lee Investors and Desai Investors who together hold at least 31%
of the outstanding 'Registrable Securities' (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement) are entitled to request jointly, and the Company shall be
obligated to effect, up to three registrations of 'Registrable Securities'. On
or after June 1, 1998, the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors may demand
registration without the other under certain circumstances. The Registration
Rights Agreement also provides that stockholders who are parties thereto (other
than the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors) holding in the aggregate at
least 20% of the 'Registrable Securities' then outstanding will have the right
on one occasion to require the Company to file a registration statement with the
Commission covering all or a portion of their 'Registrable Securities' in
certain circumstances. In addition, under the Registration Rights Agreement, if
the Company proposes to register shares of Common Stock under the Securities
Act, either for its own account or for the account of others (other than a
registration statement that relates to employee benefit plans or is otherwise
unavailable for registering the 'Registrable Securities' for sale to the
public), then each party to the Registration Rights Agreement will have the
right, subject to certain restrictions and priorities, to request that the
Company register its shares of Common Stock in connection with such
registration. Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., one of the Desai Investors, has
requested that the Company register all of the 953,029 shares of Common Stock
owned by it for sale in the Offering. See 'Principal and Selling Stockholders'.
Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the holders of 'Registrable
Securities', on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, agree to indemnify
each other for certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act, in connection with any registration of shares subject to the Registration
Rights Agreement.
 
CERTAIN OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
     Prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering, Finlay entered into
indemnification agreements with each of Finlay's directors and certain executive
officers. The indemnification agreements require, among other things, that
Finlay indemnify its directors and executive officers against certain
liabilities and associated expenses arising from their service as directors and
executive officers of Finlay and reimburse certain related legal and other
expenses. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined
 
                                       53

<PAGE>


therein) Finlay will, upon request by an indemnitee under the agreements, create
and fund a trust for the benefit of such indemnitee sufficient to satisfy
reasonably anticipated claims for indemnification. Finlay covers each director
and certain executive officers under a directors and officers liability policy
maintained by Finlay in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Company
finds reasonable. Although the indemnification agreements offer coverage similar
to the provisions in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL,
they provide greater assurance to directors and officers that indemnification
will be available, because, as contracts, they cannot be modified unilaterally
in the future by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders to eliminate the
rights they provide.
 
     The law firm of Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan provides legal services to
Finlay Jewelry and the Company. James Martin Kaplan, a director of Finlay
Jewelry and the Company, is a partner with Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan. In
1995, Finlay Jewelry and the Company paid an aggregate of $904,460 for legal
services rendered to them by such law firm.
 
     For information relating to certain transactions involving members of
management or others, see '-- Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation' and '-- Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'
under the caption 'Management -- Executive Compensation'.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     Prior to giving effect to the Offering, the authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which
7,569,478 shares of Common Stock are outstanding and no shares of Preferred
Stock are outstanding. The only shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance by
the Company's Board of Directors are the 1,002,846 shares of Common Stock
reserved for future issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plans. See 'Risk Factors
-- Limited Public Market for Common Stock; Volatility of Market Price'.
 
     Immediately following consummation of the Offering, the authorized capital
stock of the Company will consist of (i) 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of
which 9,616,449 shares will be outstanding and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, none of which shares will be outstanding.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     VOTING RIGHTS.  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that
holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. The stockholders are not entitled to vote
cumulatively for the election of directors.
 
     DIVIDENDS.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to receive dividends if,
as and when declared by the Board of Directors. Under Delaware law, a
corporation may declare and pay dividends out of surplus, or if there is no
surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is
declared and/or the preceding year. No dividends may be declared, however, if
the capital of the corporation has been diminished by depreciation in the value
of its property, losses or otherwise to an amount less than the aggregate amount

of capital represented by any issued and outstanding stock having a preference
on the distribution of assets. Finlay's debt arrangements limit the ability of
the Company to pay dividends. See 'Risk Factors -- Substantial Leverage', 'Risk
Factors -- Restriction on Payment of Dividends' and 'Dividend Policy'. The
Company expects that there will be no source of funds available to it for the
payment of distributions other than dividends or other distributions paid to the
Company by Finlay Jewelry.
 
     OTHER RIGHTS.  Stockholders of the Company have no preemptive or other
rights to subscribe for additional shares. Subject to any rights of holders of
any preferred stock that may be issued subsequent to the Offering, all holders
of Common Stock are entitled to share equally on a share-for-share basis in any
assets available for distribution to stockholders on liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company. No shares of Common Stock are subject to redemption
or a sinking fund. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.
 
                                       54

<PAGE>

     TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the
Common Stock is Marine Midland Bank.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's ability to issue preferred stock is subject to restrictions
contained in the Indentures and the Revolving Credit Agreement. Future financing
agreements may also restrict the Company's ability to issue preferred stock. The
Company's Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series and with such
voting powers, full or limited, or without voting powers, and with such
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as the
Board of Directors may be permitted to fix under the laws of the State of
Delaware as in effect at the time such class or series is created.
 
CLASSIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Company's Board of Directors is classified into three classes which
shall at all times contain, as nearly as practicable, an equal number of
directors. The members of each class will serve staggered three-year terms. At
each annual meeting of stockholders, Directors will be elected for a full
three-year term to succeed those Directors whose terms are expiring. The
Company's classified Board of Directors could have the effect of increasing the
length of time necessary to change the composition of a majority of the Board of
Directors. In general, at least two annual meetings of stockholders will be
necessary for stockholders to effect a change in a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors. See 'Management -- Executive Officers and Directors' and
'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders' Agreement'.
 
DIRECTORS' LIABILITY
 
     The Company has included in its Certificate of Incorporation provisions to

eliminate the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages resulting
from breaches of their fiduciary duty. This provision does not eliminate
liability for breaches of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
violations under Section 174 of the DGCL concerning the unlawful payment of
dividends or stock redemptions or repurchases or for any transaction from which
the director derived an improper personal benefit. However, these provisions
will not limit the liability of the Company's directors under federal securities
laws. Management believes that these provisions are necessary to attract and
retain qualified persons as directors and officers.
 
SECTION 203 OF THE DGCL
 
     The Company is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 prohibits
publicly held Delaware corporations from engaging in a 'business combination'
with an 'interested stockholder' for a period of three years following the time
of the transaction in which the person or entity became an interested
stockholder, unless (i) prior to such time, either the business combination or
the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder is approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (ii) upon
consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding for this purpose certain
shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers of the corporation
and by certain employee benefit plans) or (iii) at or after such time the
business combination is approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation
and by the affirmative vote (and not by written consent) of at least 66-2/3% of
the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
For the purposes of Section 203, a 'business combination' is broadly defined to
include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial
benefit to the interested stockholder. An 'interested stockholder' is a person
who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within the immediately
preceding three years did own) 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.
The Lee Investors and the Desai Investors are not subject to the foregoing
restrictions.
 
                                       55

<PAGE>

                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding
9,616,449 shares of Common Stock. Of the 9,616,449 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, the 3,000,000 shares offered hereby are being registered under the
Securities Act. In addition, 2,615,000 shares were registered under the
Securities Act and sold in the Initial Public Offering and 130,667 shares were
registered under the Securities Act when issued by the Company and sold in units
with the Debentures in May 1993. All of such shares will be freely tradeable
without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for
any shares purchased or acquired by an 'affiliate' of the Company (as that term
is defined under the rules and regulations under the Securities Act). In
addition, the outstanding shares of Common Stock include an aggregate of
1,065,879 shares purchased by the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors in May

1993 in connection with the Recapitalization Transactions which were registered
under the Securities Act when issued by the Company and are not 'restricted
securities' within the meaning of Rule 144; however, so long as the holders of
such shares remain 'affiliates' and for 90 days thereafter, any sales of such
shares will be subject to the volume limitations and certain other restrictions
specified in Rule 144. The outstanding Common Stock also includes 79,750 shares
issued upon the exercise of options under the 1993 Plan, all of which were
registered under the Securities Act and are freely tradeable without restriction
or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares
purchased or acquired by an 'affiliate' of the Company. The remaining shares of
Common Stock are 'restricted securities' and may not be sold in the absence of
registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is
available, including the exemptions contained in Rule 144.
 
     The Company has reserved 1,002,846 shares for future issuance pursuant to
the Incentive Plans. All of these shares have been registered under the
Securities Act and will be freely tradeable without restriction or further
registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased or
acquired by an 'affiliate' of the Company.
 
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned 'restricted' shares for
at least one year, including persons who may be deemed to be 'affiliates' of the
Company, is entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares
that does not exceed the greater of (i) 1% of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock (96,164 shares after giving effect to the Offering) or (ii) the
average weekly trading volume of Common Stock during the four calendar weeks
preceding the date on which a notice of sale is filed with the Commission. A
person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not at any time during
the 90 days preceding a sale an 'affiliate' is entitled to sell such shares
under Rule 144, commencing two years after the date such shares were acquired
from the Company or an affiliate of the Company, without regard to the volume
limitations described above. As currently defined in Rule 144, an 'affiliate' of
an issuer is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such issuer. Sales under Rule 144 are subject to certain other restrictions
relating to manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public
information about the Company.
 
     The Company has agreed not to register for sale, and the Company, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors and the current directors and executive officers
of Finlay who hold Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock have agreed,
during the period beginning from the date of the Underwriting Agreement and
continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of this Prospectus,
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Common Stock or any securities which are substantially similar to the shares of
Common Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for, or represent the
right to receive, shares of Common Stock or securities which are substantially
similar to the shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the
representatives of the Underwriters, except, in the case of the Company and the
Selling Stockholder, for the shares of Common Stock offered in connection with
the Offering and, in the case of the Company, securities issued by the Company
pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on the date of this Prospectus.
 

     The Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and
certain other individuals have the right to demand registration under the
Securities Act of their shares of Common
 
                                       56

<PAGE>

Stock and have the right to have their shares of Common Stock included in future
registered public offerings of securities by the Company. These stockholders
have agreed not to exercise such rights for a period of 180 days after the date
of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of the representatives of
the Underwriters. See 'Certain Transactions -- Registration Rights Agreement'.
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been a limited public market for Common
Stock and no prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that the sale or
availability for sale of additional shares of Common Stock will have on the
market price of the Common Stock. Nevertheless, sales of significant amounts of
such shares in the public market or the availability of large amounts of shares
for sale could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and could
impair the Company's future ability to raise capital through an offering of its
equity securities. See 'Risk Factors -- Limited Market for Common Stock;
Volatility of Market Price' and 'Risk Factors -- Shares Eligible For Future
Sale'.
 
                                       57

<PAGE>

                                  UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters named below, and each of such Underwriters, for whom Goldman, Sachs
& Co., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and SBC Warburg
Dillon Read Inc. are acting as representatives, has severally agreed to purchase
from the Company and the Selling Stockholder, the respective number of shares of
Common Stock set forth opposite its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             NUMBER OF
                                                                                             SHARES OF
                                                                                              COMMON
                                       UNDERWRITER                                             STOCK
                                       -----------                                           ---------
<S>                                                                                          <C>
Goldman, Sachs & Co.......................................................................
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.......................................
SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc...............................................................
                                                                                             ---------
  Total...................................................................................   3,000,000
                                                                                             ---------
                                                                                             ---------

</TABLE>
 
     Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered hereby,
if any are taken.
 
     The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock in part
directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at such
price less a concession of $        per share. The Underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $        per share to
certain brokers and dealers. After the shares of Common Stock are released for
sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to
time be varied by the representatives.
 
     The Company has granted the Underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days
after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to an aggregate of 450,000
additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If
the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, the Underwriters have
severally agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage thereof that the number of shares to be purchased by each of
them, as shown in the foregoing table, bears to the 3,000,000 shares of Common
Stock offered.
 
     The Company has agreed not to register for sale, and the Company, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors and the current directors and executive officers
of Finlay who hold Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock have agreed,
during the period beginning from the date of the Underwriting Agreement and
continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of this Prospectus,
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Common Stock or any securities which are substantially similar to the shares of
Common Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for, or represent the
right to receive, shares of Common Stock or securities which are substantially
similar to the shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the
representatives of the Underwriters, except, in the case of the Company and the
Selling Stockholder for the shares of Common Stock offered in connection with
the Offering and, in the case of the Company, securities issued by the Company
pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on the date of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters may purchase and sell the
Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment
and stabilizing transactions, 'passive' market making and purchases to cover
syndicate short positions created in connection with the Offering. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing
or retarding a decline in the market price of the Common Stock; and syndicate
short positions involve the
 
                                       58

<PAGE>


sale by the Underwriters of a greater number of shares of Common Stock than they
are required to purchase from the Company and the Selling Stockholder in the
Offering. The Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling
concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers in respect of
the Common Stock sold in the Offering for their account may be reclaimed by the
syndicate if such shares of Common Stock are repurchased by the syndicate in
stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain
or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Stock, which may be higher
than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and these
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions
may be effected on the Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise.
 
     As permitted by Rule 103 under the Exchange Act, Underwriters (and any
selling group members, if any) that are market makers ('passive market makers')
in the Common Stock may make bids for or purchases of the Common Stock in the
Nasdaq National Market until such time, if any, when a stabilizing bid for such
securities has been made. Rule 103 generally provides that (i) a passive market
maker's net daily purchases of Common Stock may not exceed 30% of its average
daily trading volume in such securities for the two full consecutive calendar
months (or any 60 consecutive days ending within the ten days) immediately
preceding the filing date of the registration statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part, (ii) a passive market maker may not effect transactions or display
bids for the Common Stock at a price that exceeds the highest independent bid
for the Common Stock by persons who are not passive market makers and (iii) bids
made by passive market makers must be identified as such.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company and the Selling Stockholder by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison,
New York, New York and for the Underwriters by Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, New
York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto of the
Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with
respect thereto, and are included herein and in the Registration Statement in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the
Commission. Reports and other information filed by the Company may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the Commission's Regional Offices located at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300,
New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such materials can be obtained upon written
request from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024,

Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates, and its public reference facilities in New York, New York and Chicago,
Illinois. The Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants (such as the
Company) that file electronically with the Commission. The address of such site
is: http://www.sec.gov.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-1 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
'Registration Statement') under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract,
agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each
instance reference is made to the copy of such contract, agreement or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference. For further information,
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement, which may be inspected
or copied at the addresses and Web site indicated above.
 
                                       59

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
Report of Independent Public Accountants....................................................................   F-2
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended January 28, 1995,
  February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and the thirteen weeks ended
  May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and May 3, 1997 (unaudited).......................................................   F-3
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and as of
  May 3, 1997 (unaudited)...................................................................................   F-4
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
  January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997
  (unaudited)...............................................................................................   F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended January 28, 1995,
  February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and May 3, 1997
  (unaudited)...............................................................................................   F-6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................................................   F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1

<PAGE>

                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Stockholders and Board of Directors
  of Finlay Enterprises, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Finlay
Enterprises, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of February 3,
1996 and February 1, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fifty-two
weeks ended January 28, 1995, the fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 1996 and
the fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Finlay Enterprises, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for the fifty-two weeks ended January 28,
1995, the fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 1996 and the fifty-two weeks ended
February 1, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
New York, New York
March 18, 1997
 
                                      F-2

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
                                                YEAR ENDED                   THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                 -----------------------------------------   --------------------
                                 JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,    MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                    1995           1996           1997         1996       1997
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
<S>                              <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>        <C>
Sales.........................    $ 552,090      $ 654,491      $ 685,274    $130,719   $134,592
Cost of sales.................      261,263        314,029        330,300      64,038     65,722
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Gross margin................      290,827        340,462        354,974      66,681     68,870
Selling, general and
  administrative expenses.....      240,274        282,504        290,138      63,696     65,167
Depreciation and
  amortization................        8,910          9,659         10,840       2,638      2,753
Management transition and
  consulting expense..........        5,144         --             --           --         --
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Income (loss) from
    operations................       36,499         48,299         53,996         347        950
Proceeds from life
  insurance...................       --             (5,000)        --           --         --
Interest expense, net.........       28,488         29,705         31,204       7,284      7,699
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Income (loss) before income
    taxes.....................        8,011         23,594         22,792      (6,937)     (6,749)
Provision (credit) for income
  taxes.......................        5,280          9,343         11,035      (2,537)     (2,523)
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Net income (loss)...........        2,731         14,251         11,757      (4,400)     (4,226)
Dividends and amortization of
  discount on Preferred Stock
  and accretion on conversion
  of Preferred Stock..........        3,332         10,717         --           --         --
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
Net income (loss) applicable
  to common shares............    $    (601)     $   3,534      $  11,757    $ (4,400)  $  (4,226)
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
Net income (loss) per share
  applicable to common
  shares......................    $   (0.27)     $    0.53      $    1.55    $  (0.59)  $   (0.56)
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
Weighted average shares
  outstanding (a).............    2,260,892      6,639,727      7,569,529    7,474,478  7,492,792

                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(a) The weighted average shares outstanding for 1994 and 1995 are based on the
    number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding after reflecting the
    stock split discussed in Note 6 as if such split occurred on January 30,
    1994.
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-3

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
                                                                            FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 3,
                                                                               1996           1997           1997
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                                         <C>            <C>            <C>
                                                       ASSETS
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents..............................................    $  26,014      $  20,846      $   2,762
  Accounts receivable -- department stores...............................       18,889         15,362         30,272
  Other receivables......................................................        2,860          4,350          8,841
  Merchandise inventories................................................      195,926        222,445        246,362
  Prepaid expenses and other.............................................        1,526          1,437          1,434
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
    Total current assets.................................................      245,215        264,440        289,671
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
Fixed assets
  Equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements.........................       65,206         73,223         76,404
  Less -- accumulated depreciation and amortization......................       22,735         21,423         23,319
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
    Fixed assets, net....................................................       42,471         51,800         53,085
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
Deferred charges and other assets........................................        9,012          9,770         10,359
Goodwill.................................................................       98,447         95,263         94,455
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
    Total assets.........................................................    $ 395,145      $ 421,273      $ 447,570
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
 
                                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Notes payable..........................................................    $  --          $  --          $ 101,210
  Current portion of long-term debt......................................          206              2              9
  Accounts payable -- trade..............................................      125,817        133,252         76,634
  Accrued liabilities:
    Accrued salaries and benefits........................................       14,100         15,061         12,921
    Accrued miscellaneous taxes..........................................        4,160          4,148          4,495
    Accrued insurance....................................................        1,115            762            872
    Accrued interest.....................................................        3,703          3,833            452
    Accrued management transition and consulting.........................        2,418          1,787          1,513
    Other................................................................       16,093         15,124         11,471
  Income taxes payable...................................................       10,372         12,046          7,092
  Deferred income taxes..................................................          836            809            650
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total current liabilities.........................................      178,820        186,824        217,319
Long-term debt...........................................................      202,905        211,427        213,685
Other non-current liabilities............................................          636            517            512

                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total liabilities.................................................      382,361        398,768        431,516
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
Stockholders' equity
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized
    25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 7,524,356,
    7,558,838 and 7,559,438 shares, respectively.........................           75             76             76
  Additional paid-in capital.............................................       47,459         47,725         47,732
  Distributions to investor group in excess of carryover basis...........      (24,390)       (24,390)       (24,390)
  Note receivable from stock sale........................................       (1,001)        (1,001)        (1,001)
  Retained earnings (deficit)............................................       (8,612)         3,145         (1,081)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment................................         (747)        (3,050)        (5,282)
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                                12,784         22,505         16,054
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........................    $ 395,145      $ 421,273      $ 447,570
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-4

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DISTRIBUTIONS
                                  COMMON STOCK                       TO            NOTE                FOREIGN
                                -----------------  ADDITIONAL  INVESTOR GROUP   RECEIVABLE  RETAINED   CURRENCY       TOTAL
                                 NUMBER             PAID-IN     IN EXCESS OF       FROM     EARNINGS  TRANSLATION STOCKHOLDERS'
                                OF SHARES  AMOUNT   CAPITAL    CARRYOVER BASIS  STOCK SALE  (DEFICIT) ADJUSTMENT     EQUITY
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
 
<S>                             <C>        <C>     <C>         <C>              <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>
Balance, January 29, 1994...... 2,256,107   $ 23    $(20,887)     $ (24,390)     $ --       $(11,545)  $ --         $ (56,799)
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --          2,731     --             2,731
  Dividends on Series C
    Preferred Stock............    --       --        --            --             --         (3,332)    --            (3,332)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --          (334)         (334)
  Issuance of Common Stock
    in exchange for
    Note receivable............   138,525      1       1,650        --             (1,001)     --        --               650
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
Balance, January 28, 1995...... 2,394,632     24     (19,237)       (24,390)       (1,001)   (12,146)      (334)      (57,084)
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --         14,251     --            14,251
  Dividends on Series C
    Preferred Stock............    --       --        --            --             --           (717)    --              (717)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --          (413)         (413)
  Exercise of stock options....    47,940   --           444        --             --          --        --               444
  Issuance of Common Stock..... 2,500,000     25      30,133        --             --          --        --            30,158
  Conversion of Series C
    Preferred Stock to
    Common Stock............... 2,581,784     26      36,119        --             --        (10,000)    --            26,145
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
Balance, February 3, 1996...... 7,524,356     75      47,459        (24,390)       (1,001)    (8,612)      (747)       12,784
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --         11,757     --            11,757
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --        (2,303)       (2,303)
  Exercise of stock options....    34,482      1         266        --             --          --        --               267
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------

Balance, February 1, 1997...... 7,558,838     76      47,725        (24,390)       (1,001)     3,145     (3,050)       22,505
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --         (4,226)    --            (4,226)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --        (2,232)       (2,232)
  Exercise of stock options....       600   --             7        --             --          --        --                 7
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
Balance, May 3, 1997
  (unaudited).................. 7,559,438   $ 76    $ 47,732      $ (24,390)     $ (1,001)  $ (1,081)  $ (5,282)    $  16,054
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-5

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                              THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                                                            YEAR ENDED
                                                        --------------------------------------------------    ---------------------
                                                         JANUARY 28,       FEBRUARY 3,       FEBRUARY 1,       MAY 4,       MAY 3,
                                                             1995              1996              1997           1996         1997
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>          <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income (loss)..................................      $  2,731          $ 14,251          $ 11,757       $  (4,400)   $ (4,226)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
    cash provided from (used in) operating
    activities:
  Depreciation and amortization......................         9,935            10,764            12,067           2,938       3,061
  Imputed interest on debentures.....................         7,385             7,697             8,494           2,001       2,249
  Other, net.........................................        (1,184)           (1,534)           (1,105)           (423)       (354)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
    effects from purchase of Sonab (Note 12):
    (Increase) decrease in accounts and other
      receivables....................................        (3,642)           (9,856)            1,548         (15,048)    (19,772)
    Increase in merchandise inventories..............       (29,412)          (35,601)          (28,380)         (9,202)    (25,311)
    (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and
      other..........................................            57              (267)               72            (918)        (18)
    Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and
      accrued liabilities............................        41,327             9,783             8,645         (65,613)    (70,597)
    Decrease in deferred income taxes................        (2,376)             (539)              (27)         --           --
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
      NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) OPERATING
        ACTIVITIES...................................        24,821            (5,302)           13,071         (90,665)   (114,968)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold
    improvements.....................................       (11,228)          (14,933)          (17,533)         (3,602)     (3,375)
  Payment for purchase of Sonab, net of cash
    acquired.........................................          (276)          --                --               --           --
  Other, net.........................................          (858)           (1,582)             (621)            (34)       (547)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES............       (12,362)          (16,515)          (18,154)         (3,636)     (3,922)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from revolving credit facility............       392,911           439,720           442,947         153,633     179,387
  Principal payments on revolving credit facility....      (392,911)         (439,720)         (442,947)        (81,821)    (78,177)
  Repayment of Sonab loans...........................        (9,418)          --                --               --           --
  Repurchase of debentures...........................       --                 (5,789)          --               --           --
  Net proceeds from initial public offering of common
    stock............................................       --                 30,158           --               --           --

  Other, net.........................................        (1,103)               75                61               7          14
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) FINANCING
      ACTIVITIES.....................................       (10,521)           24,444                61          71,819     101,224
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES
      ON CASH........................................            (5)             (221)             (146)            (41)       (418)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
      EQUIVALENTS....................................         1,933             2,406            (5,168)        (22,523)    (18,084)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......        21,675            23,608            26,014          26,014      20,846
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.............      $ 23,608          $ 26,014          $ 20,846       $   3,491    $  2,762
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
</TABLE>
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-6

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1 -- ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
          RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS
 
     Finlay Enterprises, Inc. (the 'Company'), a Delaware corporation, conducts
business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation
and its wholly owned subsidiaries ('Finlay Jewelry'). References to 'Finlay'
mean collectively, the Company, Finlay Jewelry and all predecessor businesses.
Finlay is a retailer of fine jewelry products and primarily operates leased fine
jewelry departments in department stores throughout the United States and
France. Finlay also operates leased fine jewelry departments in the United
Kingdom and Germany. All references herein to leased departments refer to
departments operated pursuant to license agreements or other arrangements with
host department stores.
 
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     On April 6, 1995, the Company completed an initial public offering (the
'Initial Public Offering') of 2,500,000 shares of its common stock, par value
$.01 per share ('Common Stock'), at a price of $14.00 per share. An additional
115,000 shares were sold by non-management selling stockholders. Net proceeds
from the Initial Public Offering after deducting the underwriting discount of
$2,300,000 and expenses of approximately $2,500,000 incurred in connection with
the Initial Public Offering, were $30,200,000. The net proceeds were used to
repurchase $6,103,000 accreted balance of the Company's 12% Senior Discount
Debentures due 2005 (the 'Debentures') at a price equal to $5,789,000, or
approximately 95% of the accreted amount. The balance of the net proceeds were
used to reduce a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under Finlay's

$135,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility (the 'Revolving Credit Facility') with
General Electric Capital Corporation ('G.E. Capital'), which was accounted for
as a capital contribution to Finlay Jewelry. Refer to Note 13 for a discussion
of a subsequent amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
     Immediately prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering, the
holders of the Company's 10% Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock ('Series C
Preferred Stock') exchanged all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock
with the Company for 2,581,784 shares of Common Stock (the 'Series C Exchange').
For purposes of the Series C Exchange, the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock
was (i) valued at its liquidation value of $30,000,000 plus $6,145,000 of
accrued dividends through the date of completion of the Series C Exchange, paid
in kind at a quarterly rate of 2.5% and (ii) exchanged for Common Stock at the
initial public offering price of $14.00 per share.
 
     G.E. Capital agreed to reduce the interest rate on the Revolving Credit
Facility by 0.5% concurrent with the Initial Public Offering. The Company and
G.E. Capital amended the Revolving Credit Facility in March 1995 pursuant to
which the Company became a co-obligor with Finlay Jewelry under the Revolving
Credit Facility with respect to a portion of the borrowings thereunder.
 
THE 1993 RECAPITALIZATION
 
     In May 1993, an affiliate of Thomas H. Lee Company (together with its
affiliated transferees, the 'Lee Investors') and partnerships managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated (collectively, the 'Desai Investors'), acquired
36.8% and 24.5%, respectively, of the outstanding voting securities of the
Company in a series of transactions which recapitalized the Company (the
'Recapitalization Transactions'). Following the Recapitalization Transactions,
management maintained a substantial equity interest in the Company.
 
     The Recapitalization Transactions included an investment by the Lee
Investors (the 'Lee Investment') and the Desai Investors (the 'Desai
Investment') in units consisting of the Series C Preferred Stock and Common
Stock. Concurrently, certain other existing classes of preferred stock and all
outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock were redeemed. These equity
related transactions
 
                                      F-7

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 1 -- ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
          RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

resulted in the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors obtaining 52.6% beneficial
ownership of the outstanding Common Stock.
 
     The Recapitalization Transactions also included the public issuance by the
Company of units consisting of Debentures and Common Stock, the public issuance
by Finlay Jewelry of the 10 5/8 Senior Notes due 2003 (the 'Notes') and the

refinancing of the Company's outstanding term loans (the 'WCC Term Loans') and
revolving indebtedness (the 'WCC Revolving Credit Facility' and collectively
with the WCC Term Loans, the 'WCC Loans') with Westinghouse Credit Corporation
('WCC'). The WCC Revolving Credit Facility was replaced by the $110 million
Revolving Credit Facility with G.E. Capital. The Revolving Credit Facility was
amended at the time of the acquisition of Societe Nouvelle d'Achat de Bijouterie
-S.O.N.A.B. ('Sonab') in October 1994 to, among other things, increase the
amount available thereunder to $135 million. See Notes 4, 12 and 13.
 
ORGANIZATION AND THE 1988 LEVERAGED RECAPITALIZATION
 
     Finlay Jewelry was initially incorporated on August 2, 1985 as SL Holdings
Corporation ('SL Holdings'). The Company, a Delaware corporation incorporated on
November 22, 1988, was organized by certain officers and directors (the
'Investor Group') of SL Holdings to acquire certain operations of SL Holdings.
In connection with the reorganization ('1988 Leveraged Recapitalization'), which
resulted in the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company into SL
Holdings, SL Holdings changed its name to Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation and
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
     The 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization was accounted for as a purchase in the
accompanying financial statements. Accordingly, the excess of the purchase price
over the net assets of Finlay Jewelry has been assigned to goodwill. Since
certain members of the Investor Group beneficially owned shares of SL Holdings
before the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization and owned shares of the Company after
the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization, the purchase method of accounting does not
apply to their ownership interest in SL Holdings. Accordingly, for accounting
purposes, stockholders' equity reflects the total shares of SL Holdings owned by
the Investor Group at their respective adjusted historical costs, reduced by the
consideration paid for the SL Holdings shares owned by the Investor Group. This
resulted in a reduction in stockholders' equity of $24,390,000 and is reflected
as Distributions to investor group in excess of carryover basis in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     BASIS OF ACCOUNTING AND PRESENTATION:  The accompanying Consolidated
Financial Statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which, for certain
financial statement accounts, requires the use of management's estimates. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.
 
     FISCAL YEAR:  The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to
January 31. References to 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 relate to the fiscal years
ended on January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997 and January 31,
1998. Each of the fiscal years includes 52 weeks except 1995, which includes 53
weeks.
 
     MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES:  Consolidated inventories are stated at the lower
of cost or market with cost for the domestic operations determined by the
last-in, first-out ('LIFO') method. Market represents estimated realizable value
after providing for a normal profit margin. The cost to Finlay of gold
merchandise sold on consignment, which typically varies with the price of gold,
is not fixed until the sale is reported to the vendor following the sale of the

merchandise. Finlay at times enters into futures
 
                                      F-8

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

contracts, such as options or forwards, based upon the anticipated sales of gold
product in order to hedge against the risk arising from those payment
arrangements. Changes in the market value of futures contracts are accounted for
as an addition to or reduction from the inventory cost. For the years ended
January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and the thirteen weeks
ended May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and May 3, 1997 (unaudited), the gain/loss on open
futures contracts was not material. The Company did not have any open positions
in futures contracts for gold at February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997. In May
1997, the Company entered into a hedging arrangement whereby its exposure to the
fluctuation in the price of gold is limited for the balance of 1997 (unaudited).
 
     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:  Depreciation and amortization, except where
otherwise indicated, are computed by the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the fixed assets ranging from three to ten years.
 
     PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION:  The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Finlay Jewelry. All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
     SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS:  Costs incurred for the routine operation and
maintenance of management information systems are expensed as incurred. It is
the Company's policy to capitalize significant amounts relating to software
purchased from third party software vendors as well as external consulting costs
incurred in the development and improvement of new management information
systems.
 
     INTANGIBLE ASSETS ARISING FROM ACQUISITION:  The excess purchase price paid
over the fair market value of net assets acquired ('Goodwill') was recorded in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board ('APB') Opinion No. 16, 'Accounting
for Business Combinations,' and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
40 years. The Company continually evaluates the carrying value and the economic
useful life of Goodwill based on the Company's operating results and the
expected future net cash flows and will adjust the carrying value and the
related amortization period, if and when appropriate. Amortization of Goodwill
for 1994, 1995 and 1996 totaled $2,963,000, $3,149,000 and $3,143,000,
respectively. Accumulated amortization of Goodwill at February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997 totaled $21,408,000 and $24,551,000, respectively.
 
     FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION:  Results of operations for Finlay Jewelry's
foreign subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange
rates during the period, while assets and liabilities are translated using
current rates at the applicable balance sheet date in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ('SFAS') No. 52, 'Foreign Currency

Translation.' The resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly into a
separate component of Stockholders' equity. Transaction gains and losses are
reported in net income and were not significant in any period reported.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:  Net income (loss) per share was computed
based on the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock and common
equivalent shares outstanding. Common stock equivalents include options to
purchase Common Stock. When dilutive, stock options are included as common
equivalent shares using the treasury stock method in accordance with APB Opinion
No. 15, 'Earnings per Share.' All share and per share amounts in the
Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the Reverse Stock Split (as defined in
Note 6) in conjunction with the Initial Public Offering.
 
     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
128, 'Earnings per Share.' Under SFAS No. 128, the presentation of both basic
and diluted earnings per share is required on the statements of operations for
periods ending after December 15, 1997, at which time restatement
 
                                      F-9

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

for prior periods will be necessary. Had the provisions of SFAS No. 128 been in
effect as of February 1, 1997 and during 1997, the Company would have reported
basic net income (loss) per share of $(0.27), $0.55 and $1.59 for 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively, and $(0.59) (unaudited) and $(0.57) (unaudited) for the
thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997, respectively. Under SFAS No.
128, diluted net income (loss) per share is equal to the net income (loss) per
share currently disclosed by the Company.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES:  The Company has reflected
in Net income (loss) applicable to common shares, dividends and accretion on
conversion of Preferred Stock for each period presented, as appropriate.
 
     DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS:  Debt issuance costs of $8,527,000 arising principally
from the Recapitalization Transactions are being amortized using the straight
line method over the terms of the related debt agreements. These debt issuance
costs totaled approximately $5,600,000 at February 3, 1996 and $4,600,000 at
February 1, 1997. The debt issuance costs are reflected as a component of
Deferred charges and other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets. Amortization of debt issuance costs for 1994, 1995 and 1996 totaled
$1,018,000, $1,037,000 and $1,056,000, respectively, and have been recorded as a
component of Interest expense, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements
of Operations. Amortization of debt issuance costs for the thirteen weeks ended
May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 totaled $300,000 (unaudited) for each period.
 
     COST OF SALES:  Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise sold, repair
expense, shipping, shrinkage and inventory losses. Buying and occupancy costs
such as lease and rental fees are not included in Cost of sales and are

reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
 
     STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:  The Company considers cash on hand, deposits in
banks and deposits in money market funds as cash and cash equivalents. Interest
paid during 1994, 1995 and 1996 was $20,071,000, $21,027,000 and $21,480,000,
respectively. Interest paid during the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May
3, 1997 was $8,537,000 (unaudited) and $8,531,000 (unaudited), respectively.
Income taxes paid in 1994, 1995 and 1996 totaled $6,567,000, $9,372,000 and
$9,368,000, respectively. Income taxes paid for the thirteen weeks ended May 4,
1996 and May 3, 1997 totaled $4,833,000 (unaudited) and $4,613,000 (unaudited),
respectively. Refer to Note 12 for a discussion of the Sonab acquisition.
 
     FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:  Cash, accounts receivable, short-term
borrowings, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reflected in the
financial statements at fair value because of the short-term maturity of these
instruments. Marketable securities are recorded in the financial statements at
current market values, which approximates cost. The fair values of the Company's
debt and off-balance sheet financial instruments are disclosed in Note 4.
 
     STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:  Stock-based compensation is recognized using the
intrinsic value method. For disclosure purposes, pro forma net income and
earnings per share are provided as if the fair value method had been applied.
 
     ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS:  SFAS No. 121,
'Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed Of,' requires long-lived assets as well as identifiable intangibles
be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Upon adoption of this
Statement in 1996 and to date, there was no impact on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.
 
                                      F-10

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

     SEASONALITY:  A significant portion of Finlay's revenues are generated in
the fourth quarter due to the seasonality of the retail industry. As such,
results for interim periods are not indicative of annual results. Refer to Note
11 for unaudited quarterly financial data.
 
     UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  The unaudited consolidated financial
statements for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated
financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the
financial position of the Company as of May 3, 1997, and the results of
operations and cash flows for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3,
1997. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a

basis consistent with that of the audited consolidated financial statements as
of February 1, 1997. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
NOTE 3 -- MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES
 
     Merchandise inventories consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
                                                        FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 3,
                                                           1996           1997           1997
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>
Jewelry goods -- rings, watches and other fine
  jewelry (specific identification basis)............    $ 202,860      $ 231,298      $ 255,406
Excess of specific identification cost over LIFO
  inventory value....................................        6,934          8,853          9,044
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                         $ 195,926      $ 222,445      $ 246,362
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     The LIFO method had the effect of decreasing Income (loss) before income
taxes in 1994, 1995 and 1996 by $845,000, $943,000 and $1,919,000, respectively.
For the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 the LIFO method had the
effect of decreasing Income (loss) before income taxes by $191,000 (unaudited)
for each period. Finlay determines its LIFO inventory value by utilizing
selected producer price indices published for jewelry and watches by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. Due to the application of APB Opinion No. 16, inventory
valued at LIFO for income tax reporting purposes is approximately $22,000,000
lower than that for financial reporting purposes at February 1, 1997.
 
     Approximately $199,079,000 and $194,276,000 at February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997, respectively, and $220,154,000 (unaudited) at May 3, 1997 of
merchandise received on consignment has been excluded from Merchandise
inventories and Accounts payable-trade in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
 
     In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry entered into a gold consignment agreement
(the 'Gold Consignment Agreement') with Rhode Island Hospital Trust National
Bank ('RIHT'), which expires on February 28, 1998. The Gold Consignment
Agreement enables Finlay Jewelry to receive merchandise by providing gold, or
otherwise making payment, to certain vendors who currently supply Finlay with
merchandise on consignment. While the merchandise involved remains consigned,
the consignor and title to the gold content of the merchandise changes from the
vendors to RIHT. As a result, such vendors have reduced their working capital
requirements and associated financing costs. Consequently, Finlay has negotiated
more favorable prices and terms with the participating vendors.

 
                                      F-11

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 3 -- MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES (CONTINUED)

     Finlay Jewelry can obtain, pursuant to the Gold Consignment Agreement, up
to the lesser of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25 million worth of gold,
subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. At
February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997 and May 3, 1997, amounts outstanding under
the Gold Consignment Agreement totaled 22,090, 36,916 and 39,596 fine troy
ounces (unaudited), respectively, valued at approximately $9.0 million, $12.8
million and $13.5 million (unaudited), respectively. The purchase price per
ounce is based on the daily Second London Gold Fixing. For financial statement
purposes, the consigned gold is not included in Merchandise inventories on the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet and, therefore, no related liability has
been recorded. RIHT charges Finlay a daily consignment fee on the dollar
equivalent value of ounces outstanding, a floating rate which, as of May 3,
1997, was approximately 3.85% per annum (unaudited). In addition, Finlay is
required to pay an unused line fee of 0.5% if the amount of gold consigned has a
value equal to or below $10 million. Included in interest expense for the years
ended February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 are consignment fees of $189,000 and
$638,000, respectively. For the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3,
1997, consignment fees included in interest expense totaled $118,000 (unaudited)
and $155,000 (unaudited), respectively.
 
     In conjunction with the Gold Consignment Agreement, Finlay Jewelry granted
RIHT, subject to the terms of an intercreditor agreement between RIHT and G.E.
Capital, a first priority perfected lien on, and a security interest in,
specified gold jewelry of participating vendors approved under the Gold
Consignment Agreement and a lien on proceeds and products of such jewelry and
cash deposits.
 
     The Gold Consignment Agreement requires Finlay Jewelry to comply with
certain covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of certain
indebtedness, the incurrence or creation of liens, engaging in certain
transactions with affiliates and related parties and limitations on the payment
of dividends. The Gold Consignment Agreement also contains various financial
covenants, including fixed charge coverage ratio requirements and certain
maximum debt limitations. Finlay Jewelry was in compliance with all of its
financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997 and as of and
for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (unaudited).
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     The Company and Finlay Jewelry are parties to a credit agreement with G.E.
Capital which provides Finlay with a senior secured revolving line of credit of
up to $135 million, a portion of which is available to the Company under certain
circumstances. The Revolving Credit Facility provides Finlay with a facility
maturing on May 26, 1998, for borrowings based on an advance rate of (i) up to

85% of eligible domestic accounts receivable and (ii) up to 60% of eligible
domestic owned inventory after taking into account such reserves or offsets as
G.E. Capital may deem appropriate (the 'Borrowing Base'). Eligibility criteria
are established by G.E. Capital, which retains the right to adjust the Borrowing
Base in its reasonable judgement by revising standards of eligibility,
establishing reserves and/or increasing or decreasing from time to time the
advance rates. Finlay Jewelry is permitted to use up to $20 million of the
Revolving Credit Facility for the guarantee by G.E. Capital of letters of credit
issued for the account of Finlay Jewelry by banks acceptable to G.E. Capital.
The outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility is required to be
reduced each year to $10 million for a 20 consecutive day period, and
immediately thereafter to zero for an additional 10 consecutive days (the
'Balance Reduction Requirement'). Funds available under the Revolving Credit
Facility are utilized for working capital purposes.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at a rate equal to, at
Finlay's option, (i) the Index Rate (as defined) plus 1.0% or (ii) for one or
more portions of the Revolving Credit Facility of $1.0 million or any greater
integral multiple thereof, reserve adjusted LIBOR plus 2.0%. 'Index Rate' is
defined as the higher of (i) the highest daily prime or base rate publicly
announced by any of the four largest member
 
                                      F-12

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

banks of the New York Clearing House Association and (ii) the latest rate of
dealer ninety-day commercial paper as is customarily published in the 'Money
Rates' section of The Wall Street Journal. Upon the occurrence (and during the
continuance) of an event of default under the Revolving Credit Facility,
interest would accrue at a rate which is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise
applicable, and would be payable upon demand.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a first priority perfected
security interest in all of Finlay Jewelry's (and any subsidiary's) present and
future tangible and intangible assets, excluding any of the Company's lease
agreements which are not assignable without the lessor's consent.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including
limitations on capital expenditures, limitations on borrowing transactions
between Finlay and its officers, directors, employees and affiliates and
limitations on payments of dividends. In addition, G.E. Capital has the right to
approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) certain private sales of
Common Stock. The Revolving Credit Facility also contains various financial
covenants, including minimum earnings and fixed charge coverage ratio
requirements and certain maximum debt limitations. Finlay was in compliance with
all of its financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997 and
as of and for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (unaudited).
 

     The Revolving Credit Facility provides for an annual agency fee of $275,000
payable to G.E. Capital. Furthermore, a letter of credit fee of 2.25% per annum
of the face amount of letters of credit guaranteed under the Revolving Credit
Facility and an unused facility fee equal to 0.5% per annum on the average
unused daily balance of the Revolving Credit Facility is payable monthly in
arrears.
 
     There were no amounts outstanding at February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997
under the Revolving Credit Facility. There was $101,210,000 (unaudited)
outstanding at May 3, 1997, respectively, which is reflected in the Consolidated
Financial Statements as Notes Payable. The maximum amounts outstanding under the
Revolving Credit Facility during 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the thirteen weeks
ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 were $108,800,000, $99,100,000, $114,100,000,
$71,812,000 (unaudited) and $107,962,000 (unaudited), respectively. The average
amounts outstanding for the same periods were $69,300,000, $68,400,000,
$75,400,000, $56,000,000 (unaudited) and $80,700,000 (unaudited), respectively.
The weighted average interest rates (calculated based on actual interest expense
divided by the average amount outstanding during the period) were 7.6%, 8.9%,
8.0%, 8.2% (unaudited) and 8.0% (unaudited) for 1994, 1995, 1996 and the
thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997, respectively.
 
     At February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, Finlay had letters of credit
outstanding totaling $11.0 million and $11.1 million, respectively, which
guarantee various trade activities. At May 3, 1997 the outstanding letters of
credit totaled $5.8 million (unaudited). The contract amount of the letters of
credit approximate their fair value.
 
     Refer to Note 13 for a discussion of a subsequent amendment to the
Revolving Credit Facility.
 
                                      F-13

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

     Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      (UNAUDITED)
                                                        FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 3,
                                                           1996           1997           1997
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>
Senior Notes (a).....................................    $ 135,000      $ 135,000      $ 135,000
Debentures (b).......................................       67,903         76,427         78,685
Other................................................          208              2              9
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                           203,111        211,429        213,694

Less current portion.................................          206              2              9
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                         $ 202,905      $ 211,427      $ 213,685
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
(a) On May 26, 1993, as part of Finlay's recapitalization, Finlay Jewelry issued
    10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 with an aggregate principal amount of
    $135,000,000. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1 and
    November 1 of each year, and commenced on November 1, 1993. Except in the
    case of certain equity offerings, the Notes are not redeemable prior to May
    1, 1998. Thereafter, the Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at
    the option of Finlay, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid
    interest, if any, to the date of the redemption. In the event of a Change of
    Control (as defined in the indenture with respect to the Notes (the 'Note
    Indenture')), each holder of the Notes will have the right to require Finlay
    Jewelry to repurchase its Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
    principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the
    repurchase date. The Notes rank senior in right of payment to all
    subordinated indebtedness of Finlay and pari passu in right of payment with
    all senior borrowings, including borrowings under the Revolving Credit
    Facility. However, because the Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a
    pledge of substantially all the assets of Finlay Jewelry, the Notes are
    structurally subordinated to the borrowings under the Revolving Credit
    Facility. The Note Indenture contains restrictions relating to, among other
    things, the payment of dividends, the repurchase of stock and the making of
    certain other restricted payments, the incurrence of additional
    indebtedness, the creation of certain liens, certain asset sales
    transactions with subsidiaries and other affiliates and mergers and
    consolidations.
 
    The fair value of the Notes at February 1, 1997, determined based on market
    quotes, was $142,425,000.
 
(b) On May 26, 1993, as part of Finlay's recapitalization, the Company sold, for
    $55,167,140, an aggregate of 98,000 units consisting of $98,000,000 12%
    Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 and 130,667 shares of Common Stock.
    Based on a fair market value of $7.23 per share on May 26, 1993, $944,067
    was allocated to Common Stock with a resulting discount to the Debentures.
    Commencing May 1, 1998, interest will accrue until maturity. Interest on the
    Debentures is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year,
    commencing November 1, 1998. Except in the case of certain equity offerings,
    the Debentures are not redeemable prior to May 1, 1998. In the event of a
    Change of Control (as defined in the indenture with respect to the
    Debentures (the 'Debenture Indenture')), each holder of the Debentures will
    have the right to require the Company to repurchase its Debentures at a
    purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
    and unpaid interest thereon to the repurchase date. Thereafter, the
    Debentures will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the
    Company, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
    any, to the date of redemption. The Debentures rank pari passu in right of
    payment to all senior indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of
    payment to all subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Debentures are

    secured by a first priority lien on
 
                                      F-14

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

    and security interest in all of the issued and outstanding stock and
    intercompany indebtedness, if any, of Finlay Jewelry. However, the
    operations of the Company are conducted through Finlay Jewelry and,
    therefore, the Company is dependent upon the cash flow of Finlay Jewelry to
    meet its obligations, including its obligations under the Debentures. As a
    result, the Debentures are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and
    all other obligations of Finlay Jewelry. The Debenture Indenture contains
    restrictions relating to, among other things, the payment of dividends, the
    repurchase of stock and the making of certain other restricted payments, the
    incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of certain liens,
    certain asset sales transactions with subsidiaries and other affiliates and
    mergers and consolidations. The amount of imputed interest recorded in 1994,
    1995, 1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 was
    $7,385,000, $7,697,000, $8,494,000, $2,001,000 (unaudited) and $2,249,000
    (unaudited), respectively.
 
    A portion of the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering were used to
    repurchase $6,103,000 accreted balance of the Debentures at a price equal to
    $5,789,000, or approximately 95% of the accreted amount.
 
    The fair value of the Debentures, determined based on market quotes, was
    $80,364,000 at February 1, 1997.
 
    Finlay was in compliance with all of the provisions of the Note and
    Debenture Indentures as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997 and as of
    and for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (unaudited).
 
     The aggregate amounts of long-term debt payable in each of the five years
in the period ending February 2, 2002 and thereafter are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                             --------------
<S>                                                          <C>
1997......................................................      $      2
1998......................................................       --
1999......................................................       --
2000......................................................       --
2001......................................................       --
Thereafter................................................       211,427
                                                             --------------
                                                                $211,429

                                                             --------------
                                                             --------------
</TABLE>
 
Interest expense for 1994, 1995, 1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996
and May 3, 1997 was $28,514,000, $29,859,000, $31,301,000, $7,302,000
(unaudited) and $7,707,000 (unaudited), respectively. Interest income for the
same periods was $26,000, $154,000, $97,000, $18,000 (unaudited) and $8,000
(unaudited), respectively.
 
NOTE 5 -- SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Concurrently with the consummation of the Recapitalization Transactions,
the Company and Finlay Jewelry entered into a stock purchase agreement (the
'1993 Stock Purchase Agreement') with the Lee/Desai Investors, pursuant to which
the Lee/Desai Investors purchased from the Company the Lee/Desai Units
consisting of an aggregate of 1,384,259 shares of Common Stock of the Company
and 300,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock. The Common Stock issued to the
Lee/Desai Investors as part of the Lee/Desai Units constituted 52.6% of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company on a fully diluted basis. The aggregate
purchase price for the Lee/Desai Units, payable to the Company in cash at the
closing, was $30 million, of which $10 million was allocated to the Common Stock
of the
 
                                      F-15

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 5 -- SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK (CONTINUED)

Company and $20 million was allocated to the Series C Preferred Stock.
Immediately prior to the Initial Public Offering, as a result of the Series C
Exchange, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock exchanged all outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock for shares of Common Stock. In conjunction
with the Series C Exchange, a $10,000,000 nonrecurring noncash charge
representing the difference between the liquidation value and the carrying value
of the Series C Preferred Stock was recorded, decreasing Net income (loss)
applicable to common shares in 1995. See Note 1. Dividends accrued in 1994 and
1995 totaled $3,332,000 and $717,000, respectively.
 
NOTE 6 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     The Company's Long Term Incentive Plan (the '1993 Plan') permits the
Company to grant to key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries,
consultants and certain other persons, and directors of the Company (other than
members of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors), the
following: (i) stock options; (ii) stock appreciation rights in tandem with
stock options; (iii) limited stock appreciation rights in tandem with stock
options; (iv) restricted or nonrestricted stock awards subject to such terms and
conditions as the Compensation Committee shall determine; (v) performance units
which are based upon attainment of performance goals during a period of not less

than two nor more than five years and which may be settled in cash or in Common
Stock in the discretion of the Compensation Committee; or (vi) any combination
of the foregoing. Under the 1993 Plan, the Company may grant stock options which
are either incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), or non-incentive stock
options. As of February 1, 1997, an aggregate of 663,486 shares of Common Stock
of the Company has been reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1993 Plan.
 
     The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123,
'Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,' which became effective in 1996. As
permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to account for
stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no
compensation expense has been recognized for its stock-based compensation plans.
Had the fair value method of accounting been applied to the Company's stock
option plans, which requires recognition of compensation cost ratably over the
vesting period of the stock options, net income would have been reduced by
$228,000, or $0.03 per share, in 1995 and $219,000, or $0.03 per share, in 1996.
This pro forma impact only reflects options granted since the beginning of 1995
and therefore the resulting compensation cost may not be representative of that
to be expected in future years.
 
     The fair value of options granted in 1995 and 1996 was estimated using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the weighted average market price at
the grant date of $13.67 in 1995 and $13.56 in 1996 and the following weighted
average assumptions: risk free interest rate of 6.89% and 6.67% for 1995 and
1996, respectively, expected life of seven years for 1995 and 1996 and
volatility of 35.10% for 1995 and 1996. The weighted average fair value of
options granted in 1995 and 1996 was $7.02 and $6.88, respectively.
 
                                      F-16

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 6 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)

     The following summarizes the transactions pursuant to the 1993 Plan for
1994, 1995 and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1994                      1995                      1996
                                         ----------------------    ----------------------    ----------------------
                                         NUMBER OF    WTD. AVG.    NUMBER OF    WTD. AVG.    NUMBER OF    WTD. AVG.
                                          OPTIONS     EX. PRICE     OPTIONS     EX. PRICE     OPTIONS     EX. PRICE
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
<S>                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year......    365,323      $  7.87      396,821      $  9.11      545,834      $ 11.61
  Granted.............................     72,262        14.29      264,505        13.67       21,333        13.56
  Exercised...........................      --           --         (41,284)        7.23      (27,826)        7.23
  Forfeited...........................    (40,764)        7.23      (74,208)        8.00      (15,574)       11.45
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

Outstanding at end of year............    396,821         9.11      545,834        11.61      523,767        11.93
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Exercisable at end of year............     57,439      $  8.04      113,970      $  9.73      207,122      $ 10.94
</TABLE>
 
     The options outstanding at February 1, 1997 have exercise prices between
$7.23 and $18.06, with a weighted average exercise price of $11.93 and a
weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.61 years. Options generally
vest in five years and expire in ten years from date of grant.
 
     On March 5, 1997, a senior officer of the Company received options under
the 1993 Plan to purchase an aggregate of 139,719 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $14.00 per share. Such options vest and become exercisable on
January 2, 2001.
 
     On March 6, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 1997
Long Term Incentive Plan ('1997 Plan'). The 1997 Plan, which is similar to the
1993 Plan, is intended as a successor to the 1993 Plan and provides for the
grant of the same types of awards as were available under the 1993 Plan. The
1997 Plan provides, however, that no participant thereunder may be granted,
during any fiscal year, options or other awards relating to more than 175,000
shares of Common Stock. An aggregate of 350,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1997 Plan, of which a
total of 315,148 shares are subject to options granted to certain senior
management, key employees and a director. The exercise price of such options
range from $13.875 per share to $14.875 per share.
 
     Upon the commencement of his employment, a senior officer of the Company
purchased 138,525 shares of Common Stock (the 'Purchased Shares'), at a price of
$7.23 per share. The aggregate purchase price of these shares was paid in the
form of a note issued to the Company in the amount of $1,001,538. The note is
secured by the Purchased Shares and certain proceeds from sale of the Purchased
Shares or any distribution paid on or with respect to the Purchased Shares.
Interest accrues on the unpaid balance of the note at a rate equal to 7.92% per
annum, compounded annually. In the event of termination of employment, the
Purchased Shares (together with vested options and shares issued upon exercise
of vested options ('Option Shares')) are subject to certain call rights and the
Option Shares are additionally subject to certain put rights. In the event the
Company does not exercise its call rights, the rights may be exercised by the
Lee Investors and the Desai Investors, pro rata based on their respective
ownership of Common Stock. The Purchased Shares and Option Shares are subject to
certain restrictions on transfer. As a result of the terms of the note, the
amount of the note is reflected as a reduction to equity and is reflected in the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as Note receivable from stock sale. The
Company recorded $650,000 of compensation expense in 1994 representing the
excess of the fair market value over the purchase price of these shares.
 
     In connection with and prior to the Initial Public Offering and the related
transactions, the Board of Directors and the shareholders of the Company
approved a change in the Company's capital stock to authorize 25,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. On March 7, 1995, the Company
effected a two-for-three stock combination of its issued and outstanding Common
Stock (the

 
                                      F-17

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 6 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)

'Reverse Stock Split'). Stockholders' equity has been retroactively restated to
reflect the impact of the Reverse Stock Split.
 
NOTE 7 -- LEASE AGREEMENTS
 
     Finlay conducts substantially all of its operations as leased departments
in department stores. All of these leases, as well as rentals for office space
and equipment, are accounted for as operating leases. A substantial number of
such operating leases expire on various dates through 2008.
 
     Substantially all of the department store leases provide that the title to
certain fixed assets of Finlay transfers upon termination of the leases, and
that Finlay will receive the undepreciated value of such fixed assets from the
host store in the event such transfers occur. The values of such fixed assets
are recorded at the inception of the lease arrangement and are reflected in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
     In many cases, Finlay is subject to limitations under its lease agreements
with host department stores which prohibit Finlay from operating departments for
other store groups within a certain geographical radius of the host store.
 
     The store leases provide for the payment of fees based on sales, plus, in
some instances, installment payments for fixed assets. Lease expense, included
in Selling, general and administrative expenses, is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          (UNAUDITED)
                                                     YEAR ENDED                       THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                      -----------------------------------------    --------------------------
                                      JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 4,         MAY 3,
                                         1995           1996           1997           1996           1997
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Minimum fees.......................     $ 8,606       $  10,555      $   6,188       $ 1,172        $ 1,842
Contingent fees....................      80,211          94,679        103,319        19,634         19,891
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
     Total.........................     $88,817       $ 105,234      $ 109,507       $20,806        $21,733
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     Future minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases having
initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year are as

follows as of February 1, 1997:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
                                                             --------------
<S>                                                          <C>
1997......................................................      $  9,732
1998......................................................         3,876
1999......................................................         3,368
2000......................................................         2,978
2001......................................................         2,417
Thereafter................................................        13,089
                                                             --------------
     Total minimum payments required......................      $ 35,460
                                                             --------------
                                                             --------------
</TABLE>
 
Minimum payments shown above have not been reduced by minimum sublease payments
of $260,000 due in the future under noncancellable subleases.
 
NOTE 8 -- PENSION PLANS
 
     Finlay maintains a defined contribution profit-sharing plan to provide
retirement benefits for all personnel. This plan provides for company matching
contributions of $.25 for each $1.00 of employee contribution, up to 5% of the
employee's salary, as limited by the Code. Additionally, Finlay contributes
 
                                      F-18

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 8 -- PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED)

2% of the employees' earnings annually, as limited by the Code. Vesting in
Finlay's contributions begins upon completion of three years of employment and
accrues at the rate of 20% per year.
 
     Finlay also provides fixed retirement benefits for certain former employees
not covered by existing pension plans. The estimated liability for such benefits
has been accrued for in these financial statements and is reflected as
components of Other accrued liabilities and Other non-current liabilities.
 
     The cost of the defined contribution plan maintained by Finlay and the
retirement benefits for certain former employees aggregated $1,603,000,
$1,728,000, $1,753,000, $403,000 (unaudited) and $419,000 (unaudited) for 1994,
1995, 1996 and for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997,
respectively.
 
NOTE 9 -- INCOME TAXES

 
     For income tax reporting purposes, the Company has an October 31 year end.
The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its wholly owned
subsidiary, Finlay Jewelry and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
 
     Deferred income taxes at year end reflect the impact of temporary
differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax
reporting purposes.
 
                                      F-19

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 9 -- INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

     Temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to a significant
portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities at year end are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  YEAR ENDED
                                                                                          --------------------------
                                                                                          FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,
                                                                                             1996           1997
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                       <C>            <C>
Deferred Tax Assets
  Uniform inventory capitalization.....................................................     $ 3,154        $ 3,462
  Expenses not currently deductible....................................................       4,398          4,074
  ITC carryover........................................................................       1,100          1,100
  AMT credit...........................................................................         566            566
  Deferred financing costs-current.....................................................         200            203
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                              9,418          9,405
  Valuation allowance..................................................................       1,200          1,200
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total current...................................................................       8,218          8,205
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
  Imputed interest on Debentures.......................................................       6,433          9,407
  Deferred financing costs-non-current.................................................         606            371
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total non-current...............................................................       7,039          9,778
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
          Total deferred tax assets....................................................      15,257         17,983
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
Deferred Tax Liabilities
  LIFO inventory valuation.............................................................       9,054          9,014
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total current...................................................................       9,054          9,014
                                                                                          -----------    -----------

  Depreciation.........................................................................       6,050          7,029
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total non-current...............................................................       6,050          7,029
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
          Total deferred tax liabilities...............................................      15,104         16,043
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
            Net deferred income tax assets.............................................     $   153        $ 1,940
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Net current deferred income tax liabilities.....................................     $  (836)       $  (809)
       Net non-current deferred income tax assets......................................         989          2,749
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
          Net deferred income tax assets...............................................     $   153        $ 1,940
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     The components of income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED
                                                       -----------------------------------------
                                                       JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,
                                                          1995           1996           1997
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>
Current domestic taxes..............................     $ 9,009        $10,174        $11,777
Current foreign taxes...............................         449          1,238          1,045
Deferred taxes......................................      (4,178)        (2,069)        (1,787)
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
Income tax expense..................................     $ 5,280        $ 9,343        $11,035
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-20

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 9 -- INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

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

                                                                 JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,
                                                                    1995           1996           1997
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>            <C>
Federal statutory provision...................................     $ 2,804        $ 8,258        $ 7,977
Foreign taxes.................................................         449          1,238          1,045
State tax, net of federal benefit.............................       1,232          1,688          1,857
Non-deductible amortization...................................       1,037          1,037          1,037
Life insurance proceeds.......................................      --             (1,750)        --
Benefit of foreign tax credit.................................        (449)        (1,238)        (1,045)
Other.........................................................         207            110            164
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
Provision for income taxes....................................     $ 5,280        $ 9,343        $11,035
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
</TABLE>
 
     Section 382 of the Code restricts utilization of net operating loss
carryforwards ('NOLs') after an ownership change exceeding 50%. Such utilization
is generally restricted to an annual limit computed by applying the federal
long-term tax exempt rate to the fair market value of the stock of the company
immediately prior to the time of the ownership change. As a result of the
Recapitalization Transactions, a change in ownership of the Company exceeding
50% occurred within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code (a 'Change of
Control'). Similar restrictions will apply to other carryforwards. Consequently,
there is a material limitation on the annual utilization of the Company's net
operating loss and other carryforwards which requires a deferral or loss of the
utilization of such carryforwards. The IRS permits taxpayers who obtain a
private letter ruling to close their books at the change of ownership date and
to offset pre-Change of Control income by the NOL available to that year,
regardless of the annual limitation. The Company has received such a ruling and,
as a result, at October 31, 1996, has a NOL carryforward for tax purposes of
$14,000,000 which is subject to an annual limit of approximately $2,000,000 per
year, of which $10,000,000 expires in 2004 and $4,000,000 expires in 2005. At
October 31, 1996, the Company had investment tax credit ('ITC') carryovers of
approximately $1,100,000, of which $150,000 expires in 1997, $649,000 in 1998,
$264,000 in 1999 and $37,000 in 2000. At October 31, 1996, the Company also had
alternative minimum tax credit ('AMT') carryovers of $566,000 which may be used
indefinitely to reduce federal income taxes.
 
     SFAS No. 109, 'Accounting for Income Taxes,' requires that the tax benefit
of such NOLs and tax credits be recorded as an asset to the extent that
management assesses the utilization to be 'more likely than not.' As the
accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include profits earned after the
tax year end at October 31, (the profit of the Christmas selling season), for
financial reporting purposes only, the NOL carryforward has been absorbed in
full and no NOL carryforward exists as of February 1, 1997. Management
determined at February 1, 1997, that based upon the Company's history of
operating earnings and its expectations for the future, no change to the
valuation allowance is warranted.
 
NOTE 10 -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company, from time to time, is involved in litigation concerning its

business affairs. Management believes that the resolution of all pending
litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the financial statements.
 
     The Company has employment agreements with two senior members of management
which provide for minimum salary levels as well as incentive compensation based
on meeting specific
 
                                      F-21

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 10 -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

financial goals. Such agreements have remaining terms of one year and have a
remaining aggregate minimum value of approximately $1,400,000 as of February 1,
1997.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility with G.E. Capital, the Gold Consignment
Agreement with RIHT and the Note Indenture restrict distributions from Finlay
Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay Jewelry's net sales for the preceding
fiscal year. During 1996, dividends of $1,636,000 were declared and $818,000 was
distributed to the Company. During 1995, dividends of $1,380,000 were declared
and $1,810,000 was distributed to the Company. During 1994, dividends of
$984,000 were declared and $738,000 was distributed to the Company. For the
thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997, dividends of $428,000 (unaudited) were
declared.
 
     The Company's concentration of credit risk consists principally of accounts
receivable. Approximately 70%, 71% and 75% of Finlay's domestic sales in 1994,
1995, and 1996, respectively, were from operations in two major department store
groups of which 49%, 48% and 51% represents Finlay's domestic sales from one
department store group in the respective years. The Company believes that the
risk associated with these receivables, other than those from department store
groups indicated above, would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
     The Company is committed to expend a total of approximately $17,500,000 for
the completion of a 106,200 square foot distribution and warehouse facility in
Orange, Connecticut, of which approximately $6,000,000 has been disbursed during
1996. Expenditures included the purchase of machinery and equipment,
construction costs and the purchase and installation of computer systems.
 
                                      F-22

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 11 -- QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 

     The following table summarizes the quarterly financial data for 1994, 1995,
1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 1995
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------
                                                                  FIRST      SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                 QUARTER    QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                 -------    --------    --------    ----------
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>
Sales.........................................................   $93,858    $109,209    $109,657     $ 239,366
Gross margin..................................................    49,087      56,973      57,697       127,070
Net income (loss).............................................    (5,661)     (3,344)     (3,376)       15,112
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares (a)...     (2.87)      (1.85)      (1.87)         6.26
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 3, 1996
                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 FIRST       SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ----------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Sales........................................................   $112,716    $135,428    $132,058     $ 274,289
Gross margin.................................................     58,875      70,327      68,773       142,487
Net income (loss)............................................     (5,381)      3,171      (2,760)       19,221
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares(a)...      (4.36)       0.42       (0.37)         2.55
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997
                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 FIRST       SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ----------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Sales........................................................   $130,719    $137,188    $136,140     $ 281,227
Gross margin.................................................     66,681      71,343      70,360       146,590
Net income (loss)............................................     (4,400)     (1,567)     (2,637)       20,361
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares(a)...      (0.59)      (0.21)      (0.35)         2.67
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998
                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 FIRST       SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ----------
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Sales........................................................   $134,592       --          --           --

Gross margin.................................................     68,870       --          --           --
Net income (loss)............................................     (4,226)      --          --           --
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares(a)...      (0.56)      --          --           --
</TABLE>
 
------------------
(a) Net income (loss) per share for each quarter is computed as if each quarter
    were a discrete period. As such, the total of the four quarters Net income
    (loss) per share does not necessarily equal the net income (loss) per share
    for the year.
 
(b) The first quarter of 1995 includes a $10,000,000 nonrecurring, noncash
    charge relating to the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock. See Note
    5.
 
(c) The fourth quarter of 1994 includes $5,144,000, on a pre-tax basis, of
    expenses related to the management transition and consulting expense. The
    second quarter of 1995 includes proceeds of $5,000,000 from a life insurance
    policy maintained on a senior executive.
 
                                      F-23

<PAGE>

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 12 -- ACQUISITIONS
 
     On October 28, 1994, Finlay Jewelry completed the acquisition of Sonab, a
French company which at that time operated 95 leased jewelry departments and
three free standing locations in France. The leased fine jewelry departments
operate in department stores such as Galeries Lafayette, Nouvelles Galeries and
Monoprix, S.A. Simultaneously with the acquisition of Sonab, G.E. Capital agreed
to provide additional financing by increasing Finlay's Revolving Credit Facility
by $25,000,000, from $110,000,000 to $135,000,000. The acquisition was recorded
under the purchase method of accounting. The Sonab acquisition required
approximately $11,000,000 primarily for the purpose of repaying existing
intercompany loans to Galeries Lafayette, as well as an outstanding gold credit
line. Finlay Jewelry paid approximately $356,000 for the common stock of Sonab.
Goodwill associated with this transaction was not significant.
 
     The following summary unaudited pro forma combined results of operations
for the year ended January 28, 1995 has been prepared assuming the acquisition
of Sonab occurred at the beginning of 1994. The pro forma information is
provided for informational purposes only. It is based on historical information
and does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred nor
is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the combined
company (in thousands, except per share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            (UNAUDITED)
                                                             YEAR ENDED

                                                          JANUARY 28, 1995
                                                          ----------------
<S>                                                       <C>
Sales..................................................       $572,965
Net income.............................................       $  3,356
Net income per share...................................       $   0.01
</TABLE>
 
NOTE 13 -- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
     On July 8, 1997, the Company received a commitment letter to amend the
Revolving Credit Facility by (i) increasing the line of credit from $135,000,000
to $225,000,000, (ii) including eligible international assets in the borrowing
base formula, (iii) reducing interest rates, (iv) permitting higher balances
during the annual balance reduction period and (v) extending the maturity date
from May 1998 to February 2003.
 
     On September 3, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire the
Diamond Park Fine Jewelers division of Zale Corporation ('Diamond Park'), a
leading operator of departments, for approximately $66 million. By acquiring
Diamond Park, the Company will add 139 departments that had total sales of
approximately $93 million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will
also add new host store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's
and Parisian. The Company intends to finance the Diamond Park Acquisition with
borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, as amended.
 
     The Company has filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for a proposed public offering of 3,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock, of which 2,046,971 shares will be issued and sold by the Company.
The Company expects to use the net proceeds to it from the offering for working
capital, repayment of indebtedness or other general corporate purposes.
 
                                      F-24

<PAGE>

          ----------------------------------------------------------
          ----------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SALE OF
AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR
AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PAGE
                                                      ----
<S>                                                   <C>
Prospectus Summary.................................     3
Risk Factors.......................................     9
Special Note Regarding
  Forward-Looking Statements.......................    14
Use of Proceeds....................................    15
Price Range of Common Stock........................    15
Dividend Policy....................................    15
Capitalization.....................................    16
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Information......................................    17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
  Condition and Results of Operations..............    19
Business...........................................    26
Management.........................................    38
Principal and Selling Stockholders.................    50
Certain Transactions...............................    52
Description of Capital Stock.......................    54
Shares Eligible for Future Sale....................    56
Underwriting.......................................    58
Legal Matters......................................    59
Experts............................................    59
Available Information..............................    59
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements.......................................   F-1
</TABLE>
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------
          ----------------------------------------------------------

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


                               3,000,000 SHARES
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                 [FINLAY LOGO]
 
                            ------------------------
 
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                             SECURITIES CORPORATION

                          SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.

                      REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------
          ----------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following table sets forth the various expenses payable in connection
with the offering of the shares being registered hereby, other than underwriting
discounts and commissions. All the amounts shown are estimates, except the
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the NASD filing fee. All
of such expenses are being borne by the Company.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
SEC registration fee.........................................  $    18,620
NASD filing fee..............................................        6,645
Accounting fees and expenses.................................       *
Legal fees and expenses......................................       *
Printing and engraving expenses..............................       *
Registrar and transfer agent's fees..........................       *
Miscellaneous fees and expenses..............................       *
                                                               -----------
     Total...................................................  $    *
                                                               -----------
                                                               -----------
</TABLE>
 
------------------
* To be completed by amendment.
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the 'DGCL')
permits a provision in the certificate of incorporation of each corporation
organized thereunder, eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the
personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for certain breaches of fiduciary duty as a director. The
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company eliminates the personal liability of
directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
 
     Section 145 of the DGCL ('Section 145'), in summary, empowers a Delaware
corporation, within certain limitations, to indemnify its officers, directors,
employees and agents against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by them
in connection with any suit or proceeding other than by or on behalf of the
corporation, if they acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect
to a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their
conduct was unlawful.
 
     With respect to actions by or on behalf of the corporation, Section 145
permits a corporation to indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents

against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, provided such
person meets the standard of conduct described in the preceding paragraph,
except that no indemnification is permitted in respect of any claim where such
person has been found liable to the corporation, unless the Court of Chancery or
the court in which such action or suit was brought approves such indemnification
and determines that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to be
indemnified.
 
     The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides for the
indemnification of officers and directors and certain other parties (the
'Indemnitees') of the Company to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware
law; provided, that except in the case of proceedings to enforce rights to
indemnification, the Company shall indemnify such Indemnitee in connection with
a proceeding initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding was authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     Finlay is a party to indemnification agreements with each of Finlay's
directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements require, among
other things, that Finlay indemnify its directors and executive officers against
certain liabilities and associated expenses arising from their service as
directors and executive officers of Finlay and reimburse certain related legal
and other expenses. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined therein)
Finlay will, upon request by an indemnitee under the agreements, create and fund
a trust for the benefit of such indemnitee sufficient to satisfy reasonably
 
                                      II-1

<PAGE>

anticipated claims for indemnification. Finlay also covers each director and
executive officer under a directors and officers liability insurance policy
maintained by Finlay in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Company
finds reasonable. Although the indemnification agreements offer coverage similar
to the provisions in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, they provide
greater assurance to directors and executive officers that indemnification will
be available, because, as contracts, they cannot be modified unilaterally in the
future by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders to eliminate the rights
they provide.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides for indemnification by the Underwriters
of the Company, its directors and officers, persons who control the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act for certain liabilities,
including liabilities arising thereunder.
 
     Certain of the employment and consulting agreements described in the
Prospectus under the captions 'Management -- Executive Compensation -- 
Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements' and 'Management --
Executive Compensation -- Directors' Compensation' contains provisions entitling
the executive or consultant, as the case may be, to indemnification for losses
incurred in the course of service to the Company or Finlay Jewelry, under
certain circumstances.
 
     Thomas H. Lee Company provides indemnification to Warren C. Smith in

connection with his service as a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
     On January 3, 1995, the Company sold 138,525 shares of Common Stock to
Arthur E. Reiner for an aggregate purchase price of $1,001,538.16, paid in the
form of a note issued by Mr. Reiner to the Company. On February 18, 1995 Ronald
B. Grudberg acquired 37,364 shares upon the exercise of options granted to him
by the Company for an aggregate exercise price of $270,141.72. The options and
the shares issued to Messrs. Reiner and Grudberg were issued in reliance on the
exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. In
addition, immediately prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering,
2,581,784 shares of Common Stock were issued to the Lee Investors and the Desai
Investors in exchange for all of the then-outstanding shares of the Company's
10% Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock. These shares of Common Stock were
issued in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section
3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>   <C>
 1.1**   1   --   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
 3.1         --   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed as part
                  of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on
                  April 12, 1995).
 3.2         --   By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.1         --   Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation and Articles II and VI of the By-laws
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  33-88938).
 4.2         --   Specimen Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.3         --   Specimen 12% Senior Discount Debenture Due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.4(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee,
                  relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures Due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on
                  June 10, 1993).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-2

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT

  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>   <C>
 4.4(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among the Company, Sonab Holdings, Inc.
                  ('Sonab Holdings'), Sonab International, Inc. ('Sonab International'), Sonab and Marine Midland
                  Bank, as trustee to the indenture relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by
                  the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
 4.4(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among the Company, Sonab Holdings, Sonab
                  International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the indenture relating to the 12%
                  Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on September 9, 1995).
 4.5         --   Pledge Agreement between the Company, and Marine Midland Bank, as Pledgee, dated as of May 26, 1993
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.NN filed as part of the Annual Report for the period ended
                  January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on Form 10-K on April 27, 1994).
 4.6         --   Specimen 10 5/8% Senior Note Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 4.2 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10,
                  1993).
 4.7(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between Finlay Jewelry and Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee,
                  relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10,
                  1993).
 4.7(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab Holdings,
                  Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee to the indenture relating to the
                  10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by
                  Finlay Jewelry on December 13, 1994).
 4.7(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab Holdings,
                  Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the indenture relating to the
                  10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by
                  Finlay Jewelry on September 9, 1995).
 4.8         --   Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry, THL Equity
                  Holding Corp., Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.5 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on
                  June 10, 1993).
 4.9(a)      --   Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 among the Company, David B.
                  Cornstein, Arthur E. Reiner, Robert S. Lowenstein, Norman S. Matthews, Ronald B. Grudberg, Harold
                  S. Geneen, James Martin Kaplan, Electra Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc., Jeffrey Branman,
                  the Lee Holders listed on the signature page thereto, Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., Equity-Linked
                  Investors-II and certain other security holders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company
                  on April 12, 1995).
 4.9(b)**    --   Amendment to Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of           , 1997.
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-3

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT

  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>   <C>
 4.10        --   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, David B. Cornstein,
                  Harold S. Geneen, Ronald B. Grudberg, Robert S. Lowenstein, John C. Belknap, James Martin Kaplan,
                  Electra Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc., Jeffrey Branman, Andrew U. Belknap, Timothy H.
                  Belknap, THL Equity Holding Corp., Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
                  the Company on June 10, 1993).
 5.1**       --   Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
10.1         --   Form of Agreement and Certificate of Option Pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended July 31, 1993 filed by the Company on September 14, 1993).
10.2(a)      --   The Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k)) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on September 9, 1995).
10.2(b)      --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k)) (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 20, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995.
10.2(c)      --   Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Retirement Income Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 4, 1996 filed by the
                  Company on June 14, 1996).
10.3         --   Executive Medical Benefits Plan of Finlay Jewelry and the Company (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.7 of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-59434).
10.4(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 between David B. Cornstein and Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.4(b)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of December 20, 1994 between David B. Cornstein and
                  Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.4(c)**    --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of        , 1997 between David B. Cornstein and Finlay
                  Jewelry.
10.5         --   [Reserved]
10.6         --   [Reserved]
10.7(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and Arthur E.
                  Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) of Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(b)      --   Executive Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company and Arthur
                  E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(b) of Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(c)      --   Limited Recourse Secured Promissory Note dated as of January 3, 1995 by Arthur E. Reiner in favor
                  of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(c) of Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938.
10.7(d)      --   Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company and Arthur E. Reiner
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(d) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  33-88938).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>   <C>
10.7(e)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of May 17, 1995 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(e) filed as part of the Annual Report
                  on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 1997 filed by the Company on May 1, 1997).
10.7(f)      --   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry
                  and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 filed as part of the Quarterly Report
                  on 10-Q for the period ended May 3, 1997 filed by the Company on June 17, 1997).
10.7(g)*     --   Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1997 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Arthur E. Reiner.
10.8(a)      --   Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of July 7, 1993 by and between Finlay Jewelry and Norman
                  Matthews (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.00 filed as part of the Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on April 27, 1994).
10.8(b)      --   Amendment to Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 between Norman S. Matthews
                  and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report
                  on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.9*        --   Employment Agreement dated as of April 18, 1997 between Joseph M. Melvin and Finlay Jewelry.
10.10        --   Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of November 1, 1992 between the Company and Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.11        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and Thomas H. Lee
                  Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.2 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K
                  filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
10.12        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and Desai Capital
                  Management Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1 filed as part of the Current
                  Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
10.13(a)     --   Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.6 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30,
                  1993).
10.13(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.14(b) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.13(c)*    --   1997 Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.14(a)     --   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 28, 1995 among G.E. Capital Corporation
                  ('G.E. Capital'), individually and in its capacity as agent, certain other lenders and financial
                  institutions, the Company and Finlay Jewelry (the 'Revolving Credit Agreement') (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.15 filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.14(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 29, 1995 filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9, 1995).
10.14(c)     --   Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of February 1, 1996 (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  February 3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9, 1996).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT

  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>   <C>
10.14(d)     --   Amendment No. 3 to the Revolving Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14(d)
                  filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 1997 filed by the
                  Company on May 1, 1997).
10.15(a)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and Finlay Jewelry to
                  the order of G.E. Capital in the principal amount of $98,000,000 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.16(a) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28,
                  1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.15(b)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and Finlay Jewelry to
                  the order of Shawmut Bank in the principal amount of $37,000,000 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.16(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28,
                  1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.16        --   Security Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital, as agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.9 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.17        --   Security Agreement and Mortgage -- Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights, dated as of May 26, 1993 by
                  Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.10 filed
                  as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company
                  on June 30, 1993).
10.18        --   Assignment of Life Insurance Policy as Collateral dated May 26, 1993, by the Company to G.E.
                  Capital, as agent (upon the life of each of David B. Cornstein, Ronald B. Grudberg and Robert S.
                  Lowenstein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.11 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.19        --   Assignment of Business Interruption Insurance Policy as Collateral dated February 28, 1994 by
                  Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.M filed as part
                  of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  April 27, 1994).
10.20(a)     --   Guarantee dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry, Inc. to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 19.13 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.20(b)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.20(c)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.20(d)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29,
                  1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.21(a)     --   Pledge Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 19.14 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-6

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT

----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>   <C>
10.21(b)     --   Amendment Agreement dated October 28, 1994 to the Pledge Agreement by Finlay Jewelry in favor of
                  G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.22(a)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.22(b)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.23        --   Master Agreement for the Assignment of Accounts Receivable as Security (Translation) dated October
                  28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
10.24        --   Note Pledge Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.25        --   [Reserved]
10.26        --   [Reserved]
10.27        --   Share Purchase Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 among Societe Des Grands Magasins Galeries
                  Lafayette, Union Pour Les Investissements Commerciaux, Societe Anonyme Des Galeries Lafayette,
                  Sonab Holdings and Sonab International (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  December 13, 1994).
10.28        --   Form of Directors and Officers Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on June 3, 1995).
10.29(a)     --   Gold Consignment Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and Rhode Island
                  Hospital Trust National Bank ('RIHT') (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on
                  September 9, 1995).
10.29(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 and Limited Consent to the Gold Consignment Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit No. 10.13(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February
                  3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9, 1996).
10.30        --   Security Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.31        --   Cash Collateral Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.32        --   Intercreditor Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between G.E. Capital and RIHT and acknowledged by
                  Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-7

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT

----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>   <C>
10.33**      --   Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of        , 1997 by and among the Company, Finlay Jewelry, Zale
                  Corporation and Zale Delaware, Inc.
11.1*        --   Computation of earnings per share.
21.1         --   Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
23.1*        --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2**       --   Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1         --   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
27.1*        --   Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
 
------------------
  * Filed herewith.
 
 ** To be filed by amendment.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Company pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, the Underwriting
Agreement or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the
form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon
Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Company pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be a
part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-8

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 THE COMPANY HAS
DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW
YORK, ON THE 4TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1997.
 
                                          FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
                                          By:      /s/ ARTHUR E. REINER
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                      Arthur E. Reiner
                                               President and Chief Executive
                                                         Officer
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL WHOSE SIGNATURE
APPEARS BELOW CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS ARTHUR E. REINER AND BARRY D. SCHECKNER,
OR EITHER OF THEM, HIS TRUE AND LAWFUL ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND AGENTS WITH FULL
POWER OF SUBSTITUTION AND RESUBSTITUTION, FOR HIM AND IN HIS NAME, PLACE AND
STEAD, IN ANY AND ALL CAPACITIES (UNTIL REVOKED IN WRITING), TO SIGN ANY AND ALL
AMENDMENTS (INCLUDING POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENTS) TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT,
AND ANY REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THE SAME OFFERING AS THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT IS TO BE EFFECTIVE UPON FILING PURSUANT TO RULE
462(B) AND THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND TO FILE THE SAME, WITH ALL EXHIBITS
THERETO, AND ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, GRANTING SAID ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND AGENTS, AND EACH OF
THEM, FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO DO AND PERFORM EACH AND EVERY ACT AND THING
REQUISITE AND NECESSARY TO BE DONE IN AND ABOUT THE PREMISES, AS FULLY AND TO
ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES AS HE MIGHT OR COULD DO IN PERSON, HEREBY RATIFYING AND
CONFIRMING ALL THAT SAID ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND AGENTS OR EITHER OF THEM, OR
THEIR OR HIS SUBSTITUTE OR SUBSTITUTES, MAY LAWFULLY DO OR CAUSE TO BE DONE BY
VIRTUE HEREOF.
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                                      TITLE                            DATE
------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------   -------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                        <C>
          /s/ DAVID B. CORNSTEIN            Chairman of the Board and Director           September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
            David B. Cornstein
 
           /s/ ARTHUR E. REINER             President, Chief Executive Officer,          September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------  Vice Chairman and Director
             Arthur E. Reiner               (Principal Executive Officer)
 

          /s/ BARRY D. SCHECKNER            Senior Vice President and Chief              September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------  Financial Officer (Principal Financial
            Barry D. Scheckner              Officer)
 
          /s/ BRUCE E. ZURLNICK             Treasurer                                    September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------  (Principal Accounting Officer)
            Bruce E. Zurlnick
 
          /s/ NORMAN S. MATTHEWS            Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
            Norman S. Matthews
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-9

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                                      TITLE                            DATE
------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------   -------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                        <C>
         /s/ JAMES MARTIN KAPLAN            Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
           James Martin Kaplan
 
            /s/ ROHIT M. DESAI              Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
              Rohit M. Desai
 
            /s/ THOMAS H. LEE               Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
              Thomas H. Lee
 
         /s/ WARREN C. SMITH, JR.           Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
           Warren C. Smith, Jr.
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-10

<PAGE>

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>         <C>   <C>                                                                                     <C>
 1.1**       --   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
 3.1         --   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
                  filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995
                  filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
 3.2         --   By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.1         --   Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation and Articles II and VI of the
                  By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.2         --   Specimen Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.3         --   Specimen 12% Senior Discount Debenture Due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
                  the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.4(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as
                  Trustee, relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures Due 2005 issued by the
                  Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed as part of the Current Report
                  on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.4(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among the Company, Sonab
                  Holdings, Inc. ('Sonab Holdings'), Sonab International, Inc. ('Sonab International'),
                  Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee to the indenture relating to the 12% Senior
                  Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
 4.4(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among the Company, Sonab
                  Holdings, Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the
                  indenture relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by the
                  Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on
                  September 9, 1995).
 4.5         --   Pledge Agreement between the Company, and Marine Midland Bank, as Pledgee, dated as
                  of May 26, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.NN filed as part of the
                  Annual Report for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on Form 10-K
                  on April 27, 1994).
 4.6         --   Specimen 10 5/8% Senior Note Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
                  Finlay Jewelry on June 10, 1993).
 4.7(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between Finlay Jewelry and Marine Midland Bank, as
                  Trustee, relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form
                  8-K filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10, 1993).
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>         <C>   <C>                                                                                     <C>
 4.7(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab
                  Holdings, Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee to the
                  indenture relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by Finlay Jewelry on December
                  13, 1994).
 4.7(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab
                  Holdings, Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the
                  indenture relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9,
                  1995).
 4.8         --   Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry,
                  THL Equity Holding Corp., Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked
                  Investors-II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 filed as part of the Current
                  Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.9(a)      --   Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 among the
                  Company, David B. Cornstein, Arthur E. Reiner, Robert S. Lowenstein, Norman S.
                  Matthews, Ronald B. Grudberg, Harold S. Geneen, James Martin Kaplan, Electra
                  Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc., Jeffrey Branman, the Lee Holders listed on
                  the signature page thereto, Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., Equity-Linked Investors-II
                  and certain other security holders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by
                  the Company on April 12, 1995).
 4.9(b)**    --   Amendment to Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of           ,
                  1997.
 4.10        --   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, David B.
                  Cornstein, Harold S. Geneen, Ronald B. Grudberg, Robert S. Lowenstein, John C.
                  Belknap, James Martin Kaplan, Electra Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc.,
                  Jeffrey Branman, Andrew U. Belknap, Timothy H. Belknap, THL Equity Holding Corp.,
                  Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.7 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the
                  Company on June 10, 1993).
 5.1**       --   Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
10.1         --   Form of Agreement and Certificate of Option Pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan
                  of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 31, 1993 filed by the Company
                  on September 14, 1993).
10.2(a)      --   The Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k)) (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.2(b)      --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k))
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 20, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9,
                  1995.
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>         <C>   <C>                                                                                     <C>
10.2(c)      --   Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Retirement Income Plan (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  May 4, 1996 filed by the Company on June 14, 1996).
10.3         --   Executive Medical Benefits Plan of Finlay Jewelry and the Company (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  33-59434).
10.4(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 between David B. Cornstein and Finlay
                  Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.2 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30,
                  1993).
10.4(b)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of December 20, 1994 between David B.
                  Cornstein and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part
                  of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on June 3, 1995).
10.4(c)**    --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of        , 1997 between David B.
                  Cornstein and Finlay Jewelry.
10.5         --   [Reserved]
10.6         --   [Reserved]
10.7(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry
                  and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(b)      --   Executive Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the
                  Company and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(b) of Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(c)      --   Limited Recourse Secured Promissory Note dated as of January 3, 1995 by Arthur E.
                  Reiner in favor of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(c) of Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938.
10.7(d)      --   Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company and Arthur E.
                  Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(d) of Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(e)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of May 17, 1995 among the Company, Finlay
                  Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(e) filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 1997 filed by
                  the Company on May 1, 1997).
10.7(f)      --   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997 among the Company,
                  Finlay Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on 10-Q for the period ended May 3, 1997 filed by the
                  Company on June 17, 1997).
10.7(g)*     --   Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1997 among the Company, Finlay
                  Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner.
10.8(a)      --   Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of July 7, 1993 by and between Finlay
                  Jewelry and Norman Matthews (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.00 filed as part
                  of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on April 27, 1994).
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>         <C>   <C>                                                                                     <C>
10.8(b)      --   Amendment to Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 between Norman
                  S. Matthews and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed
                  by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.9*        --   Employment Agreement dated as of April 18, 1997 between Joseph M. Melvin and Finlay
                  Jewelry.
10.10        --   Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of November 1, 1992 between the Company and Finlay
                  Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.5 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30,
                  1993).
10.11        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Thomas H. Lee Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.2 filed as part of the
                  Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
10.12        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Desai Capital Management Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1
                  filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10,
                  1993).
10.13(a)     --   Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.6
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993
                  filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.13(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.14(b) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.13(c)*    --   1997 Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.14(a)     --   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 28, 1995 among G.E. Capital
                  Corporation ('G.E. Capital'), individually and in its capacity as agent, certain
                  other lenders and financial institutions, the Company and Finlay Jewelry (the
                  'Revolving Credit Agreement') (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by
                  the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.14(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9,
                  1995).
10.14(c)     --   Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of February 1, 1996
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) filed as part of the Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the period ended February 3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9,
                  1996).
10.14(d)     --   Amendment No. 3 to the Revolving Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.14(d) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  February 1, 1997 filed by the Company on May 1, 1997).
10.15(a)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and
                  Finlay Jewelry to the order of G.E. Capital in the principal amount of $98,000,000
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16(a) filed as part of the Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on April 12,
                  1995).
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>         <C>   <C>                                                                                     <C>
10.15(b)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and
                  Finlay Jewelry to the order of Shawmut Bank in the principal amount of $37,000,000
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on April 12,
                  1995).
10.16        --   Security Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E.
                  Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.9 filed as part of the
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company
                  on June 30, 1993).
10.17        --   Security Agreement and Mortgage -- Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights, dated as of
                  May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 19.10 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.18        --   Assignment of Life Insurance Policy as Collateral dated May 26, 1993, by the Company
                  to G.E. Capital, as agent (upon the life of each of David B. Cornstein, Ronald B.
                  Grudberg and Robert S. Lowenstein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.11 filed
                  as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed
                  by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.19        --   Assignment of Business Interruption Insurance Policy as Collateral dated February 28,
                  1994 by Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.M filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on April 27, 1994).
10.20(a)     --   Guarantee dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry, Inc. to G.E. Capital, as agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.13 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.20(b)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13,
                  1994).
10.20(c)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  December 13, 1994).
10.20(d)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13,
                  1994).
10.21(a)     --   Pledge Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.14 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.21(b)     --   Amendment Agreement dated October 28, 1994 to the Pledge Agreement by Finlay Jewelry
                  in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>         <C>   <C>                                                                                     <C>
10.22(a)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in
                  favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed as part of the
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
10.22(b)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in
                  favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
10.23        --   Master Agreement for the Assignment of Accounts Receivable as Security (Translation)
                  dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.11 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.24        --   Note Pledge Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  December 13, 1994).
10.25        --   [Reserved]
10.26        --   [Reserved]
10.27        --   Share Purchase Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 among Societe Des Grands
                  Magasins Galeries Lafayette, Union Pour Les Investissements Commerciaux, Societe
                  Anonyme Des Galeries Lafayette, Sonab Holdings and Sonab International (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.28        --   Form of Directors and Officers Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the period
                  ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.29(a)     --   Gold Consignment Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and Rhode
                  Island Hospital Trust National Bank ('RIHT') (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29,
                  1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.29(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 and Limited Consent to the Gold Consignment Agreement (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit No. 10.13(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K
                  for the period ended February 3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9, 1996).
10.30        --   Security Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9,
                  1995).
10.31        --   Cash Collateral Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9,
                  1995).
10.32        --   Intercreditor Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between G.E. Capital and RIHT and
                  acknowledged by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by
                  the Company on September 9, 1995).

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
<S>         <C>   <C>                                                                                     <C>
10.33**      --   Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of        , 1997 by and among the Company, Finlay
                  Jewelry, Zale Corporation and Zale Delaware, Inc.
11.1*        --   Computation of earnings per share.
21.1         --   Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
23.1*        --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2**       --   Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1         --   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
27.1*        --   Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>
 




------------------
   * Filed herewith.
  ** To be filed by amendment.
[{"type": "S-1", "sequence": "1", "description": "REGISTRATION STATEMENT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 443249}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FINLAY ENTERPRISES INC /DE", "cik": "0000878731", "assigned-sic": "5944", "irs-number": "133492802", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0202"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-1", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-34949", "film-number": "97675378"}, "business-address": {"street1": "521 FIFTH AVE", "city": "NEW YORK", "state": "NY", "zip": "10175", "phone": "2123827400"}}
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 4, 1997.
 
                                                   REGISTRATION NO. 333-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM S-1
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
DELAWARE                                    5944                                   13-3492802
    (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF             (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL                     (IRS EMPLOYER
     INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)             CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)                  IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
----------------------
 
                                521 FIFTH AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10175
                                 (212) 808-2060
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                             ----------------------
 
                              BONNI G. DAVIS, ESQ.
                        SECRETARY AND CORPORATE COUNSEL
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                521 FIFTH AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10175
                                 (212) 808-2060
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                             ----------------------
 
                                   Copies to:
JAMES M. DUBIN, ESQ.                                          ROBERT A. PROFUSEK, ESQ.
                    EDWIN S. MAYNARD, ESQ.                                         ROBERT A. ZUCCARO, ESQ.
           PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON                               JONES, DAY, REAVIS & POGUE
                 1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS                                         599 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                   NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019                                        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
                        (212) 373-3000                                                  (212) 326-3939
----------------------
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF THE SECURITIES TO
THE PUBLIC: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes
effective.
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. / /
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering: / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering: / /
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: / /

                             ----------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
PROPOSED MAXIMUM    PROPOSED MAXIMUM
    TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF        AMOUNT TO BE     OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE            AMOUNT OF
  SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED     REGISTERED(1)     PER SHARE(2)      OFFERING PRICE(2)     REGISTRATION FEE
------------------------------    -------------   ----------------    -----------------   --------------------
Common Stock, par value $.01
per share......................     3,450,000          $17.81            $61,444,500            $18,620
(1) Includes 450,000 shares issuable upon exercise of over-allotment options
    granted to the Underwriters.
 
(2) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457 solely for purposes of calculating the
    registration fee based on the average of the high and low prices reported on
    the Nasdaq National Market on August 28, 1997.

                             ----------------------
 
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY  STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.

                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 4, 1997
                                3,000,000 SHARES
 
[FINLAY LOGO]             FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                             ----------------------
 
     Of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby, 2,046,971 shares
are being sold by the Company and 953,029 shares are being sold by the Selling
Stockholder. See 'Principal and Selling Stockholders'. The Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the
Selling Stockholder.
 
     The last reported sale price of the Common Stock, which is quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol 'FNLY', on August 29, 1997 was $17.75
per share. See 'Price Range of Common Stock'.
 
     SEE 'RISK FACTORS' BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
 
                             ----------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
    THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
     COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
       ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ----------------------
INITIAL PUBLIC       UNDERWRITING        PROCEEDS TO       PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                                OFFERING PRICE       DISCOUNT(1)          COMPANY(2)           STOCKHOLDER
                              ------------------  ------------------  ------------------   --------------------
Per Share...................          $                   $                   $                     $
Total(3)....................          $                   $                   $                     $
------------------
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933.
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $                payable by the
    Company.
(3) The Company has granted the Underwriters an option for 30 days to purchase
    up to an additional 450,000 shares at the initial public offering price per
    share, less the underwriting discount, solely to cover over-allotments. If
    such option is exercised in full, the total initial public offering price,
    underwriting discount and proceeds to the Company will be
    $                  , $                and $                , respectively.
    See 'Underwriting'.
 
                             ----------------------
 
     The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the Underwriters, as
specified herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that certificates
for the shares will be ready for delivery in New York, New York, on or about
           , 1997, against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
                         DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                            SECURITIES CORPORATION
 
                                                    SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.
 
                            ----------------------
 
             The date of this Prospectus is                , 1997.
[ARTWORK: PICTURES OF THE COMPANY'S FINE JEWELRY PRODUCTS AND MAP SHOWING
         LOCATION OF THE COMPANY'S DEPARTMENTS AND STAND-ALONE STORES.]
 

                             ----------------------
 
     CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH
SECURITIES AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
OFFERING. IN ADDITION, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS (AND SELLING GROUP MEMBERS, IF ANY)
ALSO MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK ON THE
NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 103 UNDER THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE 'UNDERWRITING'.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to, the more detailed information and the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, in
this Prospectus, (i) references to 'Finlay Jewelry' mean Finlay Fine Jewelry
Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Finlay Enterprises, Inc., (ii)
references to 'Finlay' or the 'Company' mean, collectively, Finlay Enterprises,
Inc., Finlay Jewelry, their subsidiaries and all predecessor businesses, (iii)
all information presented assumes no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option, (iv) all information is presented as of May 3, 1997, the
date of the Company's most recent quarterly balance sheet, and (v) all
information presented herein gives effect to a two-for-three combination of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the 'Common Stock'), effected
March 7, 1995. Finlay's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31
of each year. References to 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 relate to the
fiscal years ending on January 30, 1993, January 29, 1994, January 28, 1995,
February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997 and January 31, 1998, respectively. Each of
the fiscal years include 52 weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks. All
references herein to 'Departments' refer to fine jewelry departments operated
pursuant to license agreements or other arrangements with host department
stores.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Finlay is one of the leading retailers of fine jewelry in the United States
and France. The Company operates leased fine jewelry departments ('Departments')
in major department stores for retailers such as May Department Stores ('May'),
Federated Department Stores ('Federated'), Galeries Lafayette, Belk, Carson
Pirie Scott and Proffitt's. Finlay sells a broad selection of moderately priced
fine jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and watches, and
markets these items principally as fashion accessories with an average sales
price of approximately $150 per item. Average sales per Department were $729,000
in 1996 and the average size of a Department is approximately 1,000 square feet.
Finlay operates 940 Departments and in 1996 achieved sales of $685.3 million,
making Finlay the largest operator of Departments in the United States and
France.
 
     Management believes that current trends in jewelry retailing, particularly
in the department store sector, provide a significant opportunity for Finlay's
growth. Consumers spent approximately $41 billion on jewelry (including both
fine and costume jewelry) in the United States in 1996, an increase of
approximately $17 billion over 1986, according to the United States Department
of Commerce. In the department store sector in which Finlay operates, consumers
spent $4 billion on fine jewelry in 1996. Management believes that demographic
factors such as the maturing of the U.S. population and an increase in the
number of working women have resulted in greater disposable income, thus
contributing to the growth of the fine jewelry retailing industry. Management
also believes that jewelry consumers today increasingly perceive fine jewelry as
a fashion accessory, resulting in purchases which augment the Company's gift and
special occasion sales. Finlay's Departments are typically located in 'high

traffic' areas of leading department stores, enabling Finlay to capitalize on
these consumer buying patterns.
 
     Host stores benefit from outsourcing the operation of their fine jewelry
departments. By engaging Finlay, host stores gain specialized managerial,
merchandising, selling, marketing, inventory control and security expertise.
Additionally, by avoiding the high working capital investment typically required
of the jewelry business, host stores improve their return on investment and can
potentially increase their profitability.
 
     As a lessee, Finlay benefits from the host stores' reputation, customer
traffic, advertising, credit services and established customer base. Finlay also
avoids the substantial capital investment in fixed assets typical of stand-alone
retail formats, which generally has enabled Finlay's new Departments to achieve
profitability within their first twelve months of operation. Finlay further
benefits because net sales proceeds are generally remitted to Finlay by each
host store on a monthly basis with essentially all customer credit risk borne by
the host store.
 
                                       3
The Company employs a unique merchandising strategy, known as the 'Finlay
Triangle', which integrates store management, vendors and Finlay's central
office. This alliance enables the Company to capitalize on economies of scale,
while allowing store management to tailor merchandising programs to each host
store's unique fashion image and customer demographics. Store management,
vendors and Finlay's central office coordinate efforts and share access to
information, enabling the vendor to assist in identifying fashion trends thereby
improving inventory turnover and profitability.
 
     As a result of Finlay's strong relationships with its vendors, management
believes that the Company's working capital requirements are lower than those of
many other jewelry retailers. In recent years, on average, approximately 50% of
Finlay's domestic merchandise has been carried on consignment. The use of
consignment merchandise also reduces Finlay's inventory exposure to changing
fashion trends because unsold consigned merchandise can be returned to the
vendor.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On September 3, 1997, Finlay entered into an agreement to acquire the
Diamond Park Fine Jewelers division of Zale Corporation ('Diamond Park'), a
leading operator of Departments, for approximately $66 million. By acquiring
Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments that had total sales of $93
million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will also add new host
store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian.
Management believes that in addition to increasing sales volume, the acquisition
of Diamond Park (the 'Diamond Park Acquisition') will improve Finlay's results
of operations through the leveraging of expenses and the achievement of other
operating synergies. Finlay does not expect the Diamond Park Acquisition to have
a material impact on earnings per share in the current fiscal year but expects
the transaction to be accretive thereafter. The Company intends to finance the

Diamond Park Acquisition with borrowings under its revolving credit facility (as
amended, the 'Revolving Credit Facility').
 
     On July 8, 1997, the Company received a commitment letter to amend the
Revolving Credit Facility by (i) increasing the line of credit from $135
milllion to $225 million, (ii) including eligible international assets in the
borrowing base formula, (iii) reducing interest rates, (iv) permitting higher
balances during the annual balance reduction period and (v) extending the
maturity date from May 1998 to February 2003.
 
     On June 18, 1997, the Company announced the extension of its lease
agreements with Federated for an additional three years. The lease extensions
apply to all of Finlay's Departments within Federated stores, including leases
for Departments in Burdines, Rich's, Lazarus, Goldsmith's and The Bon Marche
which have been extended through February 3, 2001, and the lease for Departments
in Stern's which has been extended through February 1, 2003.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 
     Finlay intends to pursue the following key initiatives to increase sales
and earnings:
 
           INCREASE COMPARABLE DEPARTMENT SALES. In 1995 and 1996, Finlay
      achieved comparable Department sales increases of 5.7% and 5.9%,
      respectively, outpacing the majority of its host stores. These increases
      were achieved primarily by emphasizing key merchandise items, increasing
      focus on holiday and event-driven promotions, participating in host store
      marketing programs and positioning its Departments as a 'destination
      location' for fine jewelry. Finlay believes that comparable Department
      sales will continue to benefit from these merchandising and marketing
      strategies, as well as from increasing demand for fine jewelry.
 
           ADD DEPARTMENTS WITHIN EXISTING HOST STORE GROUPS. Finlay's well
      established relationships with many of its host store groups have enabled
      the Company to add Departments in new locations opened by existing host
      stores. Finlay has operated Departments in May stores since 1948 and
      operates the fine jewelry departments in all of May's 364 department
      stores. Finlay also has operated Departments in Federated stores since
      1983 and operates Departments in 153 of Federated's 411 department stores.
      Since the beginning of 1992, host store expansion
 
                                       4
has added 123 net new Departments including 49 net new Departments since
      the beginning of 1995. Based on expansion plans recently announced by May,
      Finlay believes it will have the opportunity to open approximately 100 new
      Departments in May stores alone over the next five years (excluding
      possible closings).
 
           ESTABLISH NEW HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS. Finlay has an opportunity to
      grow by establishing new relationships with department stores that
      presently either lease their fine jewelry departments to Finlay's

      competitors or operate their own fine jewelry departments. Finlay seeks to
      establish these new relationships by demonstrating to department store
      management the potential for improved financial performance. Since the
      beginning of 1992, Finlay has added such host store groups as Burdines,
      The Bon Marche, Elder Beerman and Stern's. Over the past two years, Finlay
      has added 27 Departments in the Hecht's division of May as a result of
      May's acquisition of John Wanamaker and Strawbridge's. By acquiring
      Diamond Park, Finlay will add Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and
      Parisian to its host store relationships.
 
           EXPAND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS. In October 1994, Finlay acquired
      Societe Nouvelle d'Achat de Bijouterie-S.O.N.A.B. ('Sonab'), the largest
      operator of Departments in France. In 1996, Finlay expanded in France by
      adding 26 Departments in Monoprix and plans to open an additional 15
      Monoprix Departments in 1997. Finlay operates 135 Departments in France
      through five host store groups, including Galeries Lafayette, Nouvelles
      Galeries and Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville. In addition, in 1996, Finlay began
      operating seven Departments in Debenhams, a department store chain which
      operates 90 stores throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. In 1996, the
      Company also opened a Department in a new Galeries Lafayette store in
      Berlin, Germany and is exploring additional opportunities in other
      European countries.
 
           CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OPERATING LEVERAGE. Selling, general and
      administrative expenses as a percentage of sales declined from 44.2% in
      1993 to 42.3% in 1996. Finlay seeks to continue to leverage expenses both
      by increasing sales at a faster rate than expenses and by reducing its
      current level of certain operating expenses. For example, Finlay has
      demonstrated that by increasing the selling space (with host store
      approval) of certain high volume Departments, incremental sales can be
      achieved without having to incur proportionate increases in selling and
      administrative expenses. In addition, management believes the Company will
      benefit from recent investments in technology and refinements of operating
      procedures designed to allow Finlay's sales associates more time for
      customer sales and service. Finlay's new distribution and warehouse
      facility, expected to become fully operational in the Spring of 1998, will
      permit the Company to improve the flow of merchandise to Departments while
      reducing payroll and freight costs.
 
     Additionally, since 1994 the Company has opened nine domestic stand-alone
discount jewelry outlet stores which provide Finlay with a channel to sell
discontinued, close-out and certain other merchandise. The Company will seek to
identify opportunities to develop additional outlet stores.
                            ------------------------
 
     The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 521 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10175 and its telephone number at this address is
(212) 808-2060.
 
                                       5
THE OFFERING
Common Stock Offered by:
 
     The Company..........................  2,046,971 Shares (1)
 
     The Selling Stockholder..............  953,029 Shares
                                            -------------
 
       Total..............................  3,000,000 Shares
                                            -------------
                                            -------------
 
Common Stock to be outstanding after the
  Offering................................  9,616,449 Shares (1)(2)
 
Use of Proceeds...........................  The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering are expected to be
                                            used for working capital, repayment of indebtedness or other general
                                            corporate purposes. The Company will not receive any proceeds from
                                            the sale of the shares being sold by the Selling Stockholder. See
                                            'Use of Proceeds'.
 
Nasdaq National Market symbol.............  FNLY
------------------
(1) Excludes up to 450,000 additional shares of Common Stock subject to the
    over-allotment option granted by the Company to the Underwriters. See
    'Underwriting'.
 
(2) Excludes 958,734 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of employee
    stock options outstanding at the date of this Prospectus. See 'Management --
    Executive Compensation -- Long-Term Incentive Plans'.
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     See 'Risk Factors' beginning on page 9 for certain considerations relevant
to an investment in the Common Stock.
 
                                       6
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following table presents summary consolidated financial information of
the Company for the periods indicated. This information should be read in
conjunction with 'Selected Consolidated Financial Information', 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' and
the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in

this Prospectus. The Company's balance sheet at May 3, 1997 and statement of
operations data for each of the thirteen week periods ended May 4, 1996 and May
3, 1997 were derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements of the
Company which include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary
to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results
of operations of the Company for the dates and periods presented.
 
     Because of the seasonal nature of Finlay's business, the results for the
interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire year.
Significant portions of Finlay's sales and income from operations are generated
in the fourth quarter of the year. See 'Risk Factors -- Seasonality',
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Seasonality' and 'Business -- Seasonality'. For information
regarding the Diamond Park Acquisition, see 'Business -- Recent Developments'.
(UNAUDITED)
                                                  FISCAL YEAR ENDED (1)                     THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                 --------------------------------------------------------   --------------------
                                 JAN. 30,    JAN. 29,    JAN. 28,    FEB. 3,     FEB. 1,     MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                   1993        1994        1995        1996        1997       1996       1997
                                 --------    --------    --------    --------    --------   ---------  ---------
                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales.........................   $473,746    $505,639    $552,090    $654,491    $685,274   $130,719   $134,592
Gross margin..................    253,394     267,775     290,827     340,462     354,974     66,681     68,870
Management transition and
  consulting expense (2)......      --          --          5,144       --          --         --         --
Nonrecurring expenses
  associated with
  recapitalization (3)........      --          1,915       --          --          --         --         --
Income (loss) from
  operations..................     37,112      33,819      36,499      48,299      53,996        347        950
Other nonrecurring (income)
  expense (4).................      2,100      17,150       --         (5,000)      --         --         --
Interest expense, net.........     23,841      25,469      28,488      29,705      31,204      7,284      7,699
Income (loss) before income
  taxes and cumulative effect
  of accounting change........     11,171      (8,800)      8,011      23,594      22,792      (6,937)   (6,749)
Net income (loss).............      6,028      (9,205)      2,731      14,251      11,757      (4,400)   (4,226)
Net income (loss) applicable
  to common shares............      1,339     (12,799)       (601)      3,534      11,757      (4,400)   (4,226)
Net income (loss) per share
  applicable to common
  shares......................   $   0.78    $  (6.49)   $  (0.27)   $   0.53    $   1.55   $   (0.59) $  (0.56)
Weighted average number of
  shares outstanding
  (000's).....................      1,728       1,973       2,261       6,640       7,570      7,474      7,493
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA:
Number of Departments (end of
  period) (5).................        746         757         903         941         939        907        952
Percentage increase in

  comparable Department
  sales.......................       1.9%        0.7%        4.5%        5.7%        5.9%      14.9%       4.3%
Average sales per Department
  (5).........................   $    673    $    673    $    674    $    710    $    729   $    141   $    142
EBITDA (6)....................     44,149      42,580      45,409      57,958      64,836      2,985      3,703
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted)
  (7).........................     43,579      46,424      51,398      58,901      66,755      3,176      3,894
Capital expenditures..........      7,294       9,150      11,228      14,933      17,533      3,602      3,375
(UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                       MAY 3, 1997
                                                                                                       -----------
BALANCE SHEET DATA -- END OF PERIOD (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS):
Working capital.....................................................................................   $   72,352
Total assets........................................................................................      447,570
Short-term debt, including current portion of long-term debt (8)....................................      101,219
Long-term debt, excluding current portion...........................................................      213,685
Stockholders' equity (deficit)......................................................................       16,054
(Continued on following page)
 
                                       7
----------------------
(1) Each of the fiscal years for which information is presented includes 52
    weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.
 
(2) Included in 1994 are compensation and benefits for a former senior executive
    totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of his employment
    agreement and other management transition and consulting expense totaling
    $2.0 million.
 
(3) Included in 1993 in connection with the Recapitalization Transactions (as
    defined in 'Risk Factors -- Concentration of Ownership') is the redemption
    of outstanding equity participation units in accordance with the terms and
    conditions of the Company's former equity participation plan totaling $0.9
    million and bonuses totaling $1.0 million.
 
(4) Included in 1992 are $2.1 million of nonrecurring expenses associated with a
    withdrawn initial public offering. Included in 1993 are nonrecurring
    expenses of $17.2 million relating to the write-off of certain deferred
    financing costs and other expenses incurred in connection with the
    Recapitalization Transactions. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
    Statements. Included in 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million from a life
    insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.
 
(5) Includes, beginning in 1994, Departments and stand-alone locations.

 
(6) EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation and
    amortization expenses. For 1993, EBITDA includes the effect of nonrecurring
    expenses totaling $1.9 million described in Note 3 above and for 1994,
    EBITDA includes the effect of management transition and consulting expense
    totaling $5.1 million described in Note 2 above. The Company believes EBITDA
    provides additional information for determining its ability to meet future
    debt service requirements. EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute
    for income from operations, net income or cash flow from operating
    activities (all as determined in accordance with generally accepted
    accounting principles) for the purpose of analyzing Finlay's operating
    performance, financial position and cash flows. However, Finlay has
    presented EBITDA because it is commonly used by certain investors and
    analysts to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating
    performance and to determine a company's ability to service and/or incur
    debt.
 
(7) EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) represents EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
    before nonrecurring expenses of $1.9 million deducted in arriving at income
    from operations for 1993 and management transition and consulting expense of
    $5.1 million deducted in arriving at income from operations for 1994.
 
(8) At February 1, 1997, short-term debt was $2,000; at May 3, 1997, short-term
    debt consisted principally of indebtedness under the Revolving Credit
    Facility and was used for seasonal working capital needs.
 
                                       8
RISK FACTORS
 
     In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus, the
following risk factors should be considered carefully before purchasing the
Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities
Act'), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 'Exchange Act').
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different
from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the risk
factors set forth below. See 'Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements'.
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE
 
     Following the Offering, the Company will remain substantially leveraged. At
May 3, 1997, total debt outstanding was $314.9 million, representing 95.1% of
total book capitalization. After giving effect to the Offering (assuming an
initial public offering price of $17.75 per share) and increased borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Facility to finance the Diamond Park Acquisition,
Finlay's total indebtedness would have been $383.3 million, representing 88.7%
of total book capitalization. See 'Capitalization'.
 
     The degree to which Finlay is leveraged could have important consequences
to holders of the Common Stock, including the following: (i) Finlay's ability to
obtain additional financing in the future may be impaired; (ii) a substantial
portion of Finlay's cash flow from operations must be dedicated to service its
indebtedness, including an annual balance reduction requirement under Finlay's
Revolving Credit Facility; (iii) the credit agreement (as amended, the
'Revolving Credit Agreement') relating to Finlay's Revolving Credit Facility,
the indenture (the 'Note Indenture') relating to Finlay Jewelry's 10 5/8% Senior
Notes due 2003 (the 'Notes'), the indenture (the 'Debenture Indenture', and,
together with the Note Indenture, the 'Indentures') relating to Finlay's 12%
Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 (the 'Debentures') and the Company's gold
consignment agreement (the 'Gold Consignment Agreement') all contain provisions
which restrict the ability of the Company to pay dividends; (iv) the Revolving
Credit Agreement and the Indentures impose other operating and financial
restrictions on Finlay Jewelry which may limit its operations and development,
including its ability to finance acquisitions; (v) future financing arrangements
will likely impose similar restrictions on Finlay; (vi) changes in interest
rates or rates charged under the Revolving Credit Facility and the Gold
Consignment Agreement could adversely affect the Company's results of operations
or financial condition; (vii) Finlay may be more leveraged than other providers
of similar products and services, which may place Finlay at a competitive
disadvantage; and (viii) Finlay's significant degree of leverage could make it
more vulnerable to changes in general economic conditions. See 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations'.
 
SEASONALITY
 

     Finlay's business is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of its
sales and income from operations generated during the fourth quarter of each
year, which includes the year-end holiday season. The fourth quarter accounted
for an average of 42% of Finlay's sales and 86% of operating income (excluding
nonrecurring expenses) for 1994, 1995 and 1996. Finlay has typically experienced
losses in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. During these periods,
working capital requirements have been funded by the Revolving Credit Facility.
This pattern is expected to continue. Accordingly, the results for any of the
first three quarters of any given fiscal year, taken individually or in the
aggregate, are not indicative of annual results. A substantial decrease in sales
during the fourth quarter would have a material adverse effect on Finlay's
profitability. The Company's quarterly results of operations also may fluctuate
significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new
Department openings, net sales contributed by new Departments, increases or
decreases in comparable Department sales, timing of certain holidays, changes in
the Company's selection of merchandise, general economic, industry and weather
conditions that affect consumer spending and
 
                                       9
actions of competitors. In addition, since jewelry purchases are discretionary
and a majority of jewelry purchases by store customers are made using credit,
declines in general economic conditions or consumer credit availability, or
increases in prevailing interest rates, could adversely affect the business and
financial condition of Finlay, particularly if such changes were to occur in the
fourth quarter of Finlay's fiscal year. See 'Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Seasonality' and
'Business -- Seasonality'.
 
DEPENDENCE ON HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS
 
     During 1996, approximately 48% of Finlay's sales were generated by
Departments operated in store groups owned by May, and approximately 22% of
Finlay's sales were generated by Departments operated in store groups owned by
Federated. Management believes that its relationships with the May and Federated
store groups are excellent. Nevertheless, a decision by either company to
transfer the operation of some or all of their Departments to a competitor, or
to assume the operation of those Departments themselves, could have a material
adverse effect on the business and financial condition of Finlay. Such adverse
effects could also be caused by consolidation transactions effected by May,
Federated or other host store groups. In recent years the department store
industry has been consolidating. Although Finlay has, in the past, benefitted
from host store consolidations, no assurance can be given that significant host
store relationships of Finlay will not be terminated as a result of such
consolidation. For example, when Federated acquired Emporium/Weinstocks, 30
stores in which Finlay operated Departments were integrated into Federated's
Macy's division, which currently operates its own fine jewelry business. See
'Business -- Store Relationships'.
 
     Finlay's lease agreements typically have an initial term of one to five
years, and contain renewal options or provisions for automatic renewal absent
prior notice of termination by either party. Each year, a substantial number of

leases are subject to renewal. For example, all of Finlay's leases with May host
stores are subject to renewal in January 1998 or January 1999. Although Finlay's
leases have historically been renewed in the ordinary course, there can be no
assurance that such leases will continue to be renewed, or, if renewed, on
comparable terms. Finlay's lease agreements also give host stores termination
rights based on certain performance and other factors. See 'Business -- Store
Relationships'.
 
AVAILABILITY OF CONSIGNED MERCHANDISE
 
     In recent years, on average, approximately 50% of Finlay's domestic
merchandise has been carried on consignment (pursuant to written agreements or
other arrangements) or otherwise financed by vendors, thereby reducing Finlay's
direct capital investment in inventory to levels which it believes are low for
the retail jewelry industry. Although Finlay does not believe that its
consignment agreements or arrangements with its vendors will be subject to
substantial adverse changes in the future, there can be no assurance that Finlay
will be able to continue to obtain substantial amounts of merchandise on these
terms. See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations' and 'Business -- Purchasing and Inventory'.
 
COMPETITION
 
     Finlay faces competition for retail jewelry sales from national and
regional jewelry chains, other department stores, local independently owned
jewelry stores and chains, specialty stores, mass merchandisers, catalog
showrooms, discounters, direct mail suppliers and televised home shopping.
Several of Finlay's competitors are substantially larger and have greater
financial resources than Finlay. With respect to the operation of Departments in
host store groups, Finlay competes with a limited number of established
Department lessees and department store chains. See 'Business -- Competition'.
 
                                       10
EXPANSION
 
     A significant portion of Finlay's growth in sales and income from
operations in recent years has resulted from Finlay's obtaining leases to
operate Departments in new host store groups and the addition of new Departments
in existing host store groups. Finlay cannot predict the number of Departments
it will operate in the future or whether its expansion, if any, will be at
levels comparable to that experienced to date. In many cases, Finlay is subject
to limitations under its lease agreements which prohibit Finlay from operating
Departments for other host store groups within a certain geographical radius of
the host stores (typically five to ten miles). Such limitations restrict Finlay
from further expansion within areas where it currently operates Departments,
including expansion by possible acquisitions. However, Finlay has from time to
time obtained the consent of an existing host store group to operate Departments
for another host store group within the prohibited area. May and Federated have
granted consents of this type to Finlay with respect to one another's host
stores. There can be no assurance that additional consents will be obtained in
the future. The existence of these geographic limitations may impede Finlay's

ability to enter into leases with other potential host store groups. In
addition, in certain cases, Finlay has found that, notwithstanding the absence
of any geographical limitation in a lease agreement, it may be limited as a
practical matter from opening Departments for competing host store groups in
close proximity to each other because of the adverse effect such openings might
have on its overall host store group relationships. See 'Business -- Store
Relationships'.
 
     The Company may also from time to time examine opportunities to acquire or
invest in companies or businesses that complement the Company's existing
business. For example, on September 3, 1997, the Company entered into an
agreement to acquire Diamond Park. There can be no assurance that the Diamond
Park Acquisition or future acquisitions by the Company will be successful or
improve the Company's operating results. In addition, the Company's ability to
complete acquisitions will depend on the availability of both suitable target
businesses and acceptable financing. Any future acquisitions may result in a
potentially dilutive issuance of additional equity securities, the incurrence of
additional debt or increased working capital requirements. Any such acquisition
may also result in earnings dilution, the amortization of goodwill and other
intangible assets or other charges to operations, any of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations. Such acquisitions could involve numerous additional
risks, including, without limitation, difficulties in the assimilation of the
operations, products, services and personnel of any acquired company and the
diversion of management's attention from other business concerns. See 'Business
-- Recent Developments'.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY OFFICERS
 
     Finlay's recent success has depended to a significant degree on the efforts
of Arthur E. Reiner, President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the
Company and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry, as well as
David B. Cornstein, Chairman of the Company. Finlay's operations may be
adversely affected if its current officers cease to be active in management.
Messrs. Reiner and Cornstein have employment agreements with Finlay for a period
ending January 31, 2001 and 1999, respectively. Upon the expiration of the term
of his employment agreement on January 31, 1999, Mr. Cornstein is expected to
become Chairman Emeritus of the Company. See 'Management -- Executive
Compensation -- Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'.
 
LIMITED PUBLIC MARKET FOR COMMON STOCK; VOLATILITY OF MARKET PRICE
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have 9,616,449 shares of
Common Stock outstanding of which 5,798,376 shares are expected to be held by
non-affiliates of the Company. The Common Stock has been included in the Nasdaq
National Market since completion of an initial public offering in April 1995
(the 'Initial Public Offering'). During the twelve months ended August 31, 1997,
the average daily volume of Common Stock traded in the Nasdaq National Market
was approximately 8,500 shares. During that period, there were 37 trading days
on which no shares of the Common Stock were traded. There can be no assurance
that the market for the Common Stock will become more
 
                                       11
active following the Offering. Although several securities firms act as
market-makers for the Common Stock, a less active market for the Common Stock
may cause the price of the Common Stock to be more volatile than it otherwise
would be. In addition, there can be no assurance that market prices after the
Offering will equal or exceed the initial public offering price per share set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus. The market price of the Common Stock
could be subject to significant fluctuations in response to Finlay's operating
results and developments relating to the Company, its competitors, general
retailing and economic conditions and other external factors. In addition, in
recent years the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and
volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the
operating performance of companies. These market fluctuations, as well as
general economic conditions, may adversely affect the market price of the Common
Stock.
 
AVAILABILITY AND COST OF PRECIOUS METALS AND PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES
 
     The jewelry industry in general is affected by fluctuations in the prices
of precious metals and precious and semi-precious stones. The availability and
prices of gold, diamonds and other precious metals and precious and
semi-precious stones may be influenced by cartels, political instability in
exporting countries and inflation. Shortages of these materials or sharp changes
in their prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of
operations or financial condition. Although the Company attempts to protect
against such fluctuations in the price of gold by entering into futures
contracts, there can be no assurance these hedging techniques will be
successful.
 
CONCENTRATION OF OWNERSHIP
 
     In May 1993, affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Company (together with its
affiliated transferees, the 'Lee Investors') and partnerships managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated (the 'Desai Investors') acquired a controlling
interest in the Company in connection with a series of transactions that
recapitalized the Company (the 'Recapitalization Transactions'). Before giving
effect to the Offering, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and Messrs.
Cornstein and Reiner (collectively, the 'Management Stockholders') beneficially
own, in the aggregate, 61.9% of the Common Stock. Equity-Linked Investors, L.P.,
one of the Desai Investors, in connection with the scheduled winding-up of this
partnership, is selling all of the Common Stock owned by it in the Offering.
After giving effect to the Offering, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and
the Management Stockholders will beneficially own, in the aggregate, 38.8% of
the Common Stock, of which 24.4% will be held by the Lee Investors, 7.3% will be
held by the Desai Investors and 7.1% will be held by the Management
Stockholders. See 'Principal and Selling Stockholders'.
 
     The Company, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management
Stockholders and certain third parties are parties to a Stockholders' Agreement
(as amended, the 'Stockholders' Agreement'). The Stockholders' Agreement
provides, among other things, that all of the parties thereto will, subject to
certain conditions, vote their shares to fix the number of members of the Board
of Directors at eight and that each of the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors

and the Management Stockholders have the right to nominate certain members of
the Company's Board of Directors, totaling six nominees. Each of the parties to
the Stockholders' Agreement have agreed to vote in favor of such nominees. The
nomination and election of the remaining two directors is not governed by the
Stockholders' Agreement, although the Stockholders' Agreement does require that
such directors not be parties to the Stockholders' Agreement. See 'Management',
'Principal and Selling Stockholders' and 'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders'
Agreement'.
 
     Although none of the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors nor the Management
Stockholders individually currently own, and following the Offering none of them
individually will own, a majority of the voting securities of the Company, their
respective significant beneficial ownership of the Common Stock and rights to
nominate directors under the Stockholders' Agreement enable each of them to
exercise substantial influence over the management of Finlay. The concentration
of beneficial ownership of the Company may have the effect of delaying,
deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company, may discourage bids
for the Common Stock at a premium over the market price of the Common Stock
 
                                       12
and may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. See 'Principal
and Selling Stockholders', 'Certain Transactions' and 'Description of Capital
Stock'.
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Sales of substantial amounts of Common Stock in the public market after the
Offering under Rule 144 of the Securities Act ('Rule 144') or otherwise or the
perception that such sales could occur may adversely affect prevailing market
prices of the Common Stock. The Company has agreed not to register for sale, and
the Company, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and the current directors
and executive officers of Finlay who hold Common Stock or options to purchase
Common Stock have agreed, during the period beginning from the date of the
underwriting agreement relating to the Offering (the 'Underwriting Agreement')
and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any
shares of Common Stock or any securities which are substantially similar to the
shares of Common Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for, or
represent the right to receive, shares of Common Stock or securities which are
substantially similar to the shares of Common Stock without the prior written
consent of the representatives of the Underwriters, except, in the case of the
Company and the Selling Stockholder, for the shares of Common Stock offered in
connection with the Offering and, in the case of the Company, securities issued
pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on the date of this Prospectus.
The Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and certain
other individuals have the right to demand registration under the Securities Act
of their shares of Common Stock and have the right to have their shares of
Common Stock included in future registered public offerings of securities by the
Company. These stockholders have agreed not to exercise such rights for a period
of 180 days after the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent
of the representatives of the Underwriters. The exercise of such registration

rights or the perception of an ability to do so could adversely affect the
market price of the Common Stock and could impair Finlay's future ability to
raise capital through an offering of the Company's equity securities. See
'Certain Transactions' and 'Shares Eligible for Future Sale'.
 
DILUTION
 
     Purchasers of Common Stock in the Offering will experience immediate
dilution of $24.93 per share in net tangible book value per share, which exceeds
the assumed $17.75 initial public offering price of the Common Stock offered
hereby. The net tangible book value (deficiency) per share, after giving pro
forma effect to the Offering, will be $(7.18) per share. Existing stockholders
will receive an increase in the net tangible book value of their shares of
Common Stock.
 
RESTRICTION ON PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS
 
     The Company has no present intention to pay dividends on the Common Stock.
In addition, various restrictions under Finlay's financing arrangements limit
the ability of the Company to pay dividends or to make other similar
distributions. See '-- Substantial Leverage' and 'Dividend Policy'.
 
CHANGE OF CONTROL AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
 
     The Debenture Indenture provides that, upon the occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined in the Debenture Indenture), the Company will be required to
make an offer (a 'Change of Control Offer') to purchase all of the Debentures
issued and then outstanding under the Debenture Indenture at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the accreted value thereof on the date of purchase (if prior to
May 1, 1998) or 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest thereon to the date of purchase (if on or after May 1, 1998). Under the
Debenture Indenture, a 'Change of Control' occurs when (a) a person or group
other than certain of the Company's existing stockholders becomes the beneficial
owner of 50% or more of the aggregate voting power of the Company; (b) during
any period of two consecutive calendar years, certain changes in the composition
of the Company's Board of Directors occur; or (c) the Company ceases to own 100%
of Finlay Jewelry. A Change of Control under the Debenture Indenture would
constitute a default under the Revolving Credit Agreement and would
 
                                       13
also constitute a Change of Control under the Note Indenture, accelerating all
obligations under those agreements.
 
     In addition, employment agreements with certain members of senior
management contain provisions requiring Finlay to make certain payments to such
executives in the event such executives are terminated in connection with a
Change of Control (as defined in such employment agreements). See 'Management --
Executive Compensation -- Employment Agreements and Change of Control
Arrangements'.
 
     The foregoing provisions may have the effect of delaying, deferring or

preventing a change of control of the Company, may discourage bids for the
Common Stock and may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock.
 
     Certain provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation (the 'Certificate of Incorporation') and Amended and Restated
By-laws (the 'By-laws'), as well as provisions of the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the 'DGCL'), may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change of control of the Company, may discourage bids for the
Common Stock and may adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock. For
example, under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is
authorized to issue one or more series of preferred stock having such
designations, rights and preferences as may be determined by the Board, and the
Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws provide for a classified Board of
Directors. See 'Description of Capital Stock'.
 
               SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     This Prospectus includes 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All
statements other than statements of historical information provided herein are
forward-looking statements and may contain information about financial results,
economic conditions, trends and known uncertainties. The forward-looking
statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include,
but are not limited to, those discussed under 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations', as
well as trends in the general economy, competition in the retail jewelry
business, the seasonality of the retail jewelry business, the Company's ability
to increase comparable Department sales and to open new Departments, the
Company's dependence on certain host store relationships due to the
concentration of sales generated by such host stores, the availability to the
Company of alternate sources of merchandise supply in the case of an abrupt loss
of any significant supplier, the Company's ability to continue to obtain
substantial amounts of merchandise on consignment, the Company's dependence on
key officers, the Company's ability to integrate the Diamond Park assets (and
any future acquisitions) into its existing business, the Company's high degree
of leverage and the availability to the Company of financing and credit on
favorable terms and changes in regulatory requirements which are applicable to
the Company's business.
 
     Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which reflect management's analysis, judgment, belief or expectation
only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that
arise after the date hereof. In addition to the disclosure contained herein,
readers should carefully review any disclosure of risks and uncertainties
contained in other documents the Company files or has filed from time to time
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'Commission') pursuant to the
Exchange Act.
 
                                       14
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The proceeds to the Company from the Offering, net of underwriting discount
and other expenses of the Offering (assuming an initial public offering price of
$17.75 per share), are estimated to be $32.6 million ($40.0 million if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). The Company will not
receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the
Selling Stockholder. The net proceeds to the Company from the Offering are
expected to be used for working capital, repayment of indebtedness or other
general corporate purposes.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Common Stock is included in the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
'FNLY'.
 
     The following table sets forth the range of high and low reported sale
prices for the Common Stock for the fiscal periods indicated, as reported by the
Nasdaq National Market.
HIGH        LOW
                                                                                                ------      ------
Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 1996:
  First Quarter (1)..........................................................................   $14 1/4     $   14
  Second Quarter.............................................................................   15 7/8          11
  Third Quarter..............................................................................   18 1/4          14
  Fourth Quarter.............................................................................   17 1/8      10 3/8
Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 1997:
  First Quarter..............................................................................   $   15      $10 1/4
  Second Quarter.............................................................................   17 1/8      13 1/8
  Third Quarter..............................................................................   15 3/8          12
  Fourth Quarter.............................................................................   17 3/4      13 1/2
Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 1998:
  First Quarter..............................................................................   $16 1/2     $13 3/4
  Second Quarter.............................................................................       18          15
  Third Quarter (through August 29, 1997)....................................................       18      16 3/4
------------------
(1) The first quarter of 1995 includes the period April 6, 1995 (the date of the
    Initial Public Offering) through April 29, 1995.
 
     As of September 1, 1997 there were approximately 75 record holders of the
Common Stock, including holders who are nominees for an undetermined number of
beneficial owners, estimated to be in excess of 500, and 7,569,478 shares of
Common Stock outstanding. The last reported sale price for the Common Stock on
the Nasdaq National Market on August 29, 1997 was $17.75.
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 

     The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and has no
present intention to pay any such dividends in the foreseeable future. Certain
restrictive covenants in the Indentures, the Revolving Credit Agreement and the
Gold Consignment Agreement impose limitations on the payment of dividends by the
Company. See 'Risk Factors -- Substantial Leverage', 'Description of Capital
Stock' and Notes 3 and 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                       15
CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth as of May 3, 1997: (i) the cash and cash
equivalents and the capitalization of the Company; (ii) the adjustments to
reflect the net proceeds to the Company of the Offering and indebtedness
incurred in connection with the Diamond Park Acquisition; and (iii) the adjusted
capitalization of the Company to reflect these events. This table should be read
in conjunction with 'Selected Consolidated Financial Information' and the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
(UNAUDITED)
                                                                                    MAY 3, 1997
                                                                    -------------------------------------------
                                                                                                          AS
                                                                     ACTUAL         ADJUSTMENTS        ADJUSTED
                                                                    --------   ---------------------   --------
                                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Cash and cash equivalents........................................   $  2,762       $      32,590(1)    $ 35,352
                                                                    --------                           --------
                                                                    --------                           --------
Short-term debt (including current portion of long-term debt)....   $101,219       $      66,298(2)
                                                                    --------               2,062(3)    $169,579
                                                                    --------                           --------
                                                                                                       --------
Long-term debt:
  Notes..........................................................   $135,000                           $135,000
  Debentures.....................................................     78,685                             78,685
                                                                    --------                           --------
     Total long-term debt........................................    213,685                            213,685
                                                                    --------                           --------
Stockholders' equity:
  Common stock...................................................         76                  20(1)          96
  Additional paid-in capital.....................................     47,732              32,570(1)      80,302
  Distributions in excess of carryover basis.....................    (24,390)                           (24,390)
  Note receivable from stock sale................................     (1,001)                            (1,001)
  Retained earnings (deficit)....................................     (1,081)                            (1,081)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment........................     (5,282)                            (5,282)
                                                                    --------                           --------
     Total stockholders' equity (deficit)........................     16,054                             48,644

                                                                    --------                           --------
       Total capitalization......................................   $229,739                           $262,329
                                                                    --------                           --------
                                                                    --------                           --------
------------------
(1) Reflects the net proceeds to the Company of the Offering (assuming an 
    initial public offering price of $17.75 per share).
 
(2) Reflects indebtedness incurred in connection with the Diamond Park
    Acquisition.
 
(3) Reflects the payment of fees associated with the amendment to the Revolving
    Credit Facility.
 
                                       16
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The selected consolidated financial information set forth below should be
read in conjunction with 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations' and the Consolidated Financial Statements
and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The balance sheet and
statement of operations data of the Company at January 30, 1993, January 29,
1994, January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and for each of
the fiscal years then ended were derived from consolidated financial statements
of the Company, which statements have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,
independent public accountants, as indicated in their report included elsewhere
herein. The Company's balance sheet at May 3, 1997 and statement of operations
data for each of the thirteen week periods ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997
were derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company
which include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of
operations of the Company for the dates and periods presented.
 
     Because of the seasonal nature of Finlay's business, the results for the
interim periods are not indicative of the results for the entire year.
Significant portions of Finlay's sales and income from operations are generated
in the fourth quarter of the year. See 'Risk Factors -- Seasonality',
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations --  Seasonality' and 'Business -- Seasonality'. For information
regarding the Diamond Park Acquisition, see 'Business -- Recent Developments'.
(UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                         THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED (1)                          ENDED
                                                ----------------------------------------------------   -------------------
                                                JAN. 30,   JAN. 29,   JAN. 28,   FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,     MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                                  1993       1994       1995       1996       1997       1996       1997

                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                              (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales.........................................  $473,746   $505,639   $552,090   $654,491   $685,274   $130,719   $134,592
Cost of sales.................................   220,352    237,864    261,263    314,029    330,300     64,038     65,722
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Gross margin (2)..............................   253,394    267,775    290,827    340,462    354,974     66,681     68,870
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses....................................   209,245    223,280    240,274    282,504    290,138     63,696     65,167
Depreciation and amortization.................     7,037      8,761      8,910      9,659     10,840      2,638      2,753
Management transition and consulting
  expense (3).................................     --         --         5,144      --         --         --         --
Nonrecurring expenses associated with
  recapitalization (4)........................     --         1,915      --         --         --         --         --
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income (loss) from operations.................    37,112     33,819     36,499     48,299     53,996        347        950
Other nonrecurring (income) expense (5).......     2,100     17,150      --        (5,000)     --         --         --
Interest expense, net.........................    23,841     25,469     28,488     29,705     31,204      7,284      7,699
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
  cumulative effect of accounting change......    11,171     (8,800)     8,011     23,594     22,792     (6,937)    (6,749)
Provision (credit) for income taxes...........     5,608        405      5,280      9,343     11,035     (2,537)    (2,523)
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
  accounting change...........................     5,563     (9,205)     2,731     14,251     11,757     (4,400)    (4,226)
Cumulative effect of accounting change (6)....       465      --         --         --         --         --         --
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income (loss).............................  $  6,028   $ (9,205)  $  2,731   $ 14,251   $ 11,757   $ (4,400)  $ (4,226)
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income (loss) applicable to common
  shares......................................  $  1,339   $(12,799)  $   (601)  $  3,534   $ 11,757   $ (4,400)  $ (4,226)
Net income (loss) per share applicable to
  common shares...............................  $   0.78   $  (6.49)  $  (0.27)  $   0.53   $   1.55   $  (0.59)  $  (0.56)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
  (000's).....................................     1,728      1,973      2,261      6,640      7,570      7,474      7,493
(Continued on following page)
 
                                       17
(UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                         THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                               FISCAL YEAR ENDED (1)                          ENDED
                                                ----------------------------------------------------   -------------------
                                                JAN. 30,   JAN. 29,   JAN. 28,   FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,     MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                                  1993       1994       1995       1996       1997       1996       1997
                                                --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------   --------

                                                                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL DATA:
Number of Departments (end of period) (7).....       746        757        903        941        939        907        952
Percentage increase in comparable Department
  sales (7)(8)................................       1.9%       0.7%       4.5%       5.7%       5.9%      14.9%       4.3%
Average sales per Department (7)(9)...........  $    673   $    673   $    674   $    710   $    729   $    141   $    142
EBITDA (10)...................................    44,149     42,580     45,409     57,958     64,836      2,985      3,703
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) (11)................    43,579     46,424     51,398     58,901     66,755      3,176      3,894
Capital expenditures..........................     7,294      9,150     11,228     14,933     17,533      3,602      3,375

BALANCE SHEET DATA -- END OF PERIOD:
Working capital...............................  $  6,139   $ 21,728   $ 27,362   $ 66,395   $ 77,616   $ 62,825   $ 72,352
Total assets..................................   272,769    292,112    340,764    395,145    421,273    398,650    447,570
Short-term debt, including current portion of
  long-term debt..............................    13,228      1,271        576        206          2     71,833    101,219
Long-term debt, excluding current portion.....   132,221    194,234    201,217    202,905    211,427    204,904    213,685
Series A Preferred Stock......................    16,561      --         --         --         --         --         --
Series C Preferred Stock......................     --        22,096     25,428      --         --         --         --
Stockholders' equity (deficit)................   (20,355)   (56,799)   (57,084)    12,784     22,505      8,307     16,054
------------------
 
 (1) Each of the fiscal years for which information is presented includes 52
     weeks except 1995, which includes 53 weeks.
 
 (2) Finlay utilizes the LIFO method of accounting for inventories. If Finlay
     had valued inventories at actual cost, as would have resulted from the
     specific identification inventory valuation method, the gross margin would
     have increased (decreased) as follows: $(0.6) million, $1.9 million, $0.8
     million, $0.9 million, $1.9 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million for
     1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996
     and May 3, 1997, respectively.
 
 (3) Included in 1994 are compensation and benefits for a former senior
     executive totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of his
     employment agreement and other management transition and consulting expense
     totaling $2.0 million.
 
 (4) Included in 1993 in connection with the Recapitalization Transactions is
     the redemption of outstanding equity participation units in accordance with
     the terms and conditions of the Company's former equity participation plan
     totaling $0.9 million and bonuses totaling $1.0 million.
 
 (5) Included in 1992 are $2.1 million of nonrecurring expenses associated with
     a withdrawn initial public offering. Included in 1993 are nonrecurring
     expenses of $17.2 million relating to the write-off of certain deferred
     financing costs and other expenses incurred in connection with the
     Recapitalization Transactions. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
     Financial Statements. Included in 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million from a
     life insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.
 
 (6) This item represents the cumulative effect of change in accounting for

     income taxes in 1992.
 
 (7) Includes, beginning in 1994, Departments and stand-alone locations.
 
 (8) Comparable Department sales are calculated by comparing the sales from
     Departments open for the same months in the comparable periods.
 
 (9) Average sales per Department is determined by dividing sales by the average
     of the number of Departments open at the beginning and at the end of each
     period. For 1994, the effect of the acquisition of Sonab, and subsequent
     Department openings by Sonab, was prorated in determining average sales per
     Department.
 
(10) EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation and
     amortization expenses. For 1993, EBITDA includes the effect of nonrecurring
     expenses totaling $1.9 million described in Note 4 above and for 1994,
     EBITDA includes the effect of management transition and consulting expense
     totaling $5.1 million described in Note 3 above. The Company believes
     EBITDA provides additional information for determining its ability to meet
     future debt service requirements. EBITDA should not be construed as a
     substitute for income from operations, net income or cash flow from
     operating activities (all as determined in accordance with generally
     accepted accounting principles) for the purpose of analyzing Finlay's
     operating performance, financial position and cash flows. However, Finlay
     has presented EBITDA because it is commonly used by certain investors and
     analysts to analyze and compare companies on the basis of operating
     performance and to determine a company's ability to service and/or incur
     debt.
 
(11) EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) represents EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
     before nonrecurring expenses of $1.9 million deducted in arriving at income
     from operations for 1993 and management transition and consulting expense
     of $5.1 million deducted in arriving at income from operations for 1994.
 
                                       18
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following should be read in conjunction with 'Selected Consolidated
Financial Information' and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
     Certain statements under this caption 'Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' constitute 'forward-looking
statements' under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. See 'Risk Factors'
and 'Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements'.
 
GENERAL
 
     Over the past three years, sales have increased by $133.2 million to $685.3
million, a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%, while comparable Department
sales have increased by 4.5%, 5.7% and 5.9% in 1994, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. Comparable Department sales include Departments open for the same
months during comparable periods. The increase in total sales during this period
is the result of (i) adding 182 net new Departments and stand-alone stores,
including 95 Departments and three stand-alone stores from the acquisition of
Sonab, a French jewelry retailer, and (ii) increasing comparable Department
sales. Management attributes its comparable Department sales increases during
this period to the following Company initiatives: (i) introducing its 'Key Item'
and 'Best Value' merchandising programs, which provide a targeted assortment of
items at competitive prices; (ii) increasing focus on holiday and event-driven
promotions as well as host store marketing programs; (iii) positioning the
Company's Departments as a 'destination location' for fine jewelry; and (iv)
implementing project PRISM (Promptly Reduce Inefficiencies and Sales Multiply),
a management initiative designed to allow Finlay's sales associates more time
for customer sales and service.
 
     Gross margin as a percentage of sales has decreased from 52.7% in 1994 to
51.8% in 1996. This is principally the result of the Company's 'Key Item' and
'Best Value' programs, which produce higher sales volume and a slightly lower
gross margin, on average, than other merchandise. In 1996, the Company's gross
margin as a percentage of sales was essentially unchanged as compared to 1995.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses ('SG&A') as a percentage of
sales have decreased from 43.5% in 1994 to 42.3% in 1996. Management attributes
this improvement to (i) leveraging operating expenses through higher sales and
(ii) reducing the level of certain operating expenses through the ongoing
implementation of project PRISM. The components of SG&A include payroll expense,
lease fees, net advertising expenditures and other field and administrative
expenses.
 
     As a result of the Recapitalization Transactions in 1993 and the 1988
Leveraged Recapitalization (as defined in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus), the Company is
highly leveraged and, as such, interest expense has significantly impacted the
Company's results of operations. In addition, the Company records approximately
$3.0 million of goodwill amortization, on an annual basis, resulting from the

1988 Leveraged Recapitalization.
 
     Finlay entered the international fine jewelry retailing market in October
1994 by acquiring Sonab, which as of May 3, 1997 operated 143 Departments and
three stand-alone stores, principally in France. Finlay's results of operations
for 1995 reflect the first full year of Sonab's operations. In 1996, Finlay
expanded its international operations into the United Kingdom with the opening
of seven Departments in the Debenhams department store chain and into Germany
with the opening of a Galeries Lafayette store in Berlin.
 
DIAMOND PARK ACQUISITION
 
     On September 3, 1997, Finlay entered into an agreement to acquire Diamond
Park, a leading operator of Departments, for approximately $66 million. By
acquiring Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments that had total sales of
$93 million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will also add new
host store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian.
Management believes that in addition to increasing sales volume, the Diamond
Park Acquisition will improve Finlay's results of operations through the
leveraging of expenses and the achievement of other operating synergies. Finlay
does not expect the Diamond Park Acquisition to have a material impact on
earnings per share in the current fiscal year but expects the transaction to be
accretive thereafter. The Company intends to finance the Diamond Park
Acquisition with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. 

 
                                       19
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     The following table sets forth operating results as a percentage of sales
for the periods indicated:
THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                                            FISCAL YEAR ENDED                ENDED
                                                                      ------------------------------    ----------------
                                                                      JAN. 28,    FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,    MAY 4,    MAY 3,
                                                                        1995       1996       1997       1996      1997
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Sales..............................................................     100.0%     100.0%     100.0%     100.0%    100.0%
Cost of sales......................................................      47.3       48.0       48.2       49.0      48.8
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Gross margin.....................................................      52.7       52.0       51.8       51.0      51.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses.......................      43.5       43.2       42.3       48.7      48.4
Depreciation and amortization......................................       1.6        1.4        1.6        2.0       2.1
Management transition and consulting expense (1)...................       1.0       --         --         --        --
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Income (loss) from operations....................................       6.6        7.4        7.9        0.3       0.7

Other nonrecurring income (2)......................................     --          (0.7)      --         --        --
Interest expense, net..............................................       5.1        4.5        4.6        5.6       5.7
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Income (loss) before income taxes................................       1.5        3.6        3.3       (5.3)     (5.0)
Provision (credit) for income taxes................................       1.0        1.4        1.6       (1.9)     (1.9)
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
  Net income (loss)................................................       0.5%       2.2%       1.7%      (3.4)%    (3.1)%
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
                                                                      --------    -------    -------    ------    ------
OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
EBITDA (3).........................................................       8.2%       8.9%       9.5%       2.3%      2.8%
EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) (4)......................................       9.3%       9.0%       9.7%       2.4%      2.9%
------------------
(1) Included in 1994 are compensation and benefits for a former senior executive
    totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of his employment
    agreement and other management transition and consulting expense totaling
    $2.0 million.
 
(2) Included in other nonrecurring income for 1995 are proceeds of $5.0 million
    from a life insurance policy Finlay maintained on a senior executive.
 
(3) EBITDA represents income from operations before depreciation and
    amortization expenses. For 1994, EBITDA includes the effect of management
    transition and consulting expense totaling $5.1 million described in Note 1
    above. Management believes EBITDA provides additional information for
    determining its ability to meet future debt service requirements.
 
(4) EBITDA-FIFO (as adjusted) represents EBITDA before the LIFO provision and
    before management transition and consulting expense of $5.1 million deducted
    in arriving at income from operations in 1994.
 
THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 3, 1997 COMPARED WITH THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 4, 1996
 
     SALES.  Sales for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 increased $3.9
million, or 3.0%, over the comparable period in 1996. Comparable Department
sales increased 4.3%. Management attributes this increase in comparable
Department sales primarily to the 'Key Item' and 'Best Value' merchandising
programs and to the marketing initiatives discussed above. The increase in
comparable Department sales was offset by a $1.7 million decrease in sales
resulting from the net effect of Department openings and closings. During the
thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997, Finlay opened 17 Departments and closed four
Departments. The openings and closings were all within existing store groups.
The closings resulted from host store decisions to close the stores, with one of
the stores reopening at a new location with a Finlay operated Department.
 
     GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin for the period increased by $2.2 million and,
as a percentage of sales, gross margin increased by 0.2% primarily related to
the lower average price of gold in the 1997 period compared to the 1996 period.
 
     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  SG&A increased $1.5 million,
or 2.3%, due primarily to payroll expense and lease fees associated with the
increase in the Company's sales. In addition, through increased vendor

participation, net advertising expenditures were comparable with the 1996
period. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased by 0.3% as a result of the
leveraging of these expenses.
 
                                       20
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization was
essentially unchanged, reflecting an increase in capital expenditures for the
most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain assets becoming fully
depreciated. This increase in fixed assets was due to the addition of new
Departments and the renovation of existing Departments.
 
     INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.  Interest expense increased by $0.4 million,
reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($294.0 million for the period in
1997 compared to $260.7 million for the comparable period in 1996) primarily as
a result of the timing of inventory receipts during the 1997 period and an
increase in the outstanding balance of the Debentures due to the accretion of
interest. The increase in average borrowings was partially offset by a lower
weighted average interest rate (10.3% for the 1997 period compared to 10.5% for
the comparable period in 1996).
 
     PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES.  The income tax provision for the 1997
and 1996 periods reflects an effective tax rate of 41.5%.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS).  Net loss of $4.2 million for the 1997 period was $0.2
million lower than the net loss of $4.4 million for the comparable period in
1996 as a result of the factors discussed above.
 
1996 COMPARED WITH 1995
 
     SALES.  Sales increased $30.8 million, or 4.7%, in 1996 compared to 1995.
Comparable Department sales increased 5.9%. Management attributes this increase
in comparable Department sales primarily to the 'Key Item' and 'Best Value'
merchandising programs and to the marketing initiatives discussed above. Sales
decreased $7.8 million as a result of the net effect of new store openings
offset by store closings as well as the timing of such Department openings and
closings. During 1996, Finlay opened 84 Departments and closed 86 Departments.
The openings were comprised of the following:
NUMBER OF
                           DEPARTMENTS/
      STORE GROUP             STORES                                REASON
------------------------   ------------   ----------------------------------------------------------
Hecht's                         13        May's acquisition of Strawbridge's.
Monoprix                        26        Expansion in France.
Debenhams                        7        Initial Departments in the United Kingdom.
New York Jewelry Outlet          2        Additional outlet stores.
Other                           36        Department openings within existing store groups.
                                --

                                84
                                --
                                --
The closings were comprised of the following:
NUMBER OF
                          DEPARTMENTS/
      STORE GROUP            STORES                                REASON
-----------------------   ------------   ----------------------------------------------------------
Emporium/Weinstocks            29        Acquired by Federated and integrated into Macy's.
The Jones Store Co.             8        Lessor consolidated with one lessee.
Maison Blanche/Gayfers         17        Lessor consolidated with one lessee.
Other                          32        Department closings within existing store groups.
                               --
                               86
                               --
                               --
The majority of the 32 closings within existing host store groups resulted from
host store decisions to close the stores, with nine of the stores reopening at
new locations with Finlay operated Departments (including two which reopened in
1997). Ten closings resulted from Finlay's decision to close unprofitable
Departments in Steinbach stores.
 
     GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin increased by $14.5 million in 1996 compared to
1995 but, as a percentage of sales, gross margin decreased by 0.2% primarily due
to an increase in the LIFO provision and to a lesser extent as a result of
management's efforts to increase market penetration and market share through its
pricing strategy.
 
     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  SG&A increased $7.6 million,
or 2.7%, in 1996 compared to 1995 due primarily to payroll expense and lease
fees associated with the increase in the
 
                                       21
Company's sales. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased by 0.9% in 1996
compared to 1995 as a result of the leveraging of these expenses.
 
     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization increased by
$1.2 million in 1996 compared to 1995, reflecting $17.5 million in capital
expenditures for the most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain
assets becoming fully depreciated. The increase in fixed assets was due to the
addition of new Departments and the renovation of existing Departments.
 
     OTHER NONRECURRING INCOME.  The Company received, during the second quarter

of 1995, proceeds of $5.0 million from a life insurance policy maintained on a
senior executive.
 
     INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.  Interest expense increased by $1.5 million in 1996
compared to 1995 reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($283.3 million
for 1996 compared to $269.5 million for 1995) partially offset by a lower
weighted average interest rate (10.3% for 1996 compared to 10.5% for 1995).
 
     PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES.  The income tax provision for 1996 and
1995 reflects an effective tax rate of 41.5%.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS).  Net income of $11.8 million for 1996 represents a
decrease of $2.5 million as compared to the net income of $14.3 million in 1995
as a result of the factors discussed above. Excluding the effect of the receipt
of life insurance proceeds in 1995, net income of $11.8 million in 1996
represents an increase of $2.5 million from $9.3 million in 1995.
 
1995 COMPARED WITH 1994
 
     SALES.  Sales increased $102.4 million, or 18.5%, in 1995 compared to 1994.
Comparable Department sales increased 5.7%. Management attributes this increase
in comparable Department sales primarily to joint marketing efforts coordinated
with several host store groups and intensified promotion of 'Key Item' and 'Best
Value' merchandising programs. Sonab had total sales of $46.8 million in 1995
and accounted for $34.0 million of the total sales increase. Sales from the
operation of net new Departments contributed $70.9 million. During 1995, Finlay
opened 70 Departments and closed 32 Departments. The new openings included 14
Departments in the Hecht's division of May, as a result of May's acquisition of
John Wanamaker's, four Departments in Sonab and five additional outlet stores.
The balance of openings consisted of Departments within existing host store
groups. The closings consisted of four Departments in Lamonts as a result of
bankruptcy, four Departments due to the sale by The Popular of its stores and
the balance of closings consisted of Departments within existing host store
groups.
 
     GROSS MARGIN.  Gross margin increased by $49.6 million in 1995 compared to
1994 but, as a percentage of sales, gross margin decreased by 0.7% as a result
of management's efforts to increase market penetration and market share through
a pricing strategy that had become more competitive. Sonab accounted for $17.3
million of the total increase in gross margin primarily due to the inclusion of
a full year of Sonab operations in 1995.
 
     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  SG&A increased $42.2
million, or 17.6%, in 1995 compared to 1994 due primarily to payroll expense and
lease fees associated with the increase in the Company's sales. In addition,
Sonab accounted for $13.7 million of the total increase in SG&A. As a percentage
of sales, SG&A decreased by 0.3% in 1995 compared to 1994 as a result of the
leveraging of these expenses.
 
     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization increased by
$0.7 million in 1995 compared to 1994, reflecting $14.9 million in capital
expenditures for the most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain
assets becoming fully depreciated. The increase in fixed assets was due to the
addition of new Departments and the renovation of existing Departments,

including $0.9 million in opening additional outlet stores.
 
     MANAGEMENT TRANSITION AND CONSULTING EXPENSE.  Included in 1994, in
connection with certain management changes, are compensation and benefits for a
former senior executive totaling $3.1 million as a result of the termination of
his employment agreement and other management transition expense totaling $1.0
million. In addition, included in 1994 are consulting expenses totaling $1.0
million in connection with a program undertaken with a management consulting
firm to increase comparable Department sales and improve operating efficiencies.
 
     OTHER NONRECURRING INCOME.  The Company received, during the second quarter
of 1995, proceeds of $5.0 million from a life insurance policy maintained on a
senior executive.
 
                                       22
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET.  Interest expense increased by $1.2 million in 1995
compared to 1994, reflecting an increase in average borrowings ($269.5 million
for 1995 compared to $267.7 million for 1994) and a higher weighted average
interest rate (10.5% for 1995 compared to 10.2% for 1994).
 
     PROVISION (CREDIT) FOR INCOME TAXES.  The income tax provision for 1995 and
1994 reflects an effective tax rate of 41.5%.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS).  Net income of $14.3 million for 1995 represents an
increase of $11.5 million from $2.7 million in 1994, as a result of the factors
discussed above.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     Finlay's primary capital requirements are for funding working capital for
new Departments and for working capital growth of existing Departments and, to a
lesser extent, capital expenditures for opening new Departments and renovating
existing Departments. For the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997,
capital expenditures totaled $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively. For
1996, capital expenditures totaled $17.5 million, which included initial
construction costs related to the Company's distribution and warehouse facility,
and in 1995 totaled $14.9 million. Capital expenditures for 1997, in total, are
estimated to be approximately $18.0 million. Although capital expenditures are
limited by the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, to date this limitation
has not precluded the Company from satisfying its capital expenditure
requirements.
 
     Finlay's operations substantially preclude customer receivables and in
recent years, on average, approximately 50% of Finlay's domestic merchandise has
been carried on consignment. Accordingly, management believes that relatively
modest levels of working capital are required in comparison to many other
retailers. The Company's working capital balance was $72.4 million at May 3,
1997, a decrease of $5.3 million from February 1, 1997. The decrease resulted
from capital expenditures and the impact of the interim net loss exclusive of
depreciation and amortization. Based on the seasonal nature of Finlay's
business, working capital requirements and therefore borrowings under the

Revolving Credit Facility can be expected to increase on an interim basis during
the first three quarters of any given fiscal year. See '-- Seasonality'.
 
     The seasonality of Finlay's business causes working capital requirements to
reach their highest level in the months of October and November in anticipation
of the year-end holiday season. Accordingly, Finlay experiences seasonal cash
needs as inventory levels peak. The Revolving Credit Facility provides Finlay
with a line of credit of up to $225.0 million which is available to finance
seasonal cash and other working capital needs. The Revolving Credit Facility
will initially bear interest at a rate equal to, at Finlay's option, (i) the
Index Rate (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement) plus 0.5% or (ii)
adjusted LIBOR plus 1.5%. Commencing in 1998, the Revolving Credit Facility will
bear interest at a rate equal to, at Finlay's option, (i) the Index Rate plus a
margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% or (ii) adjusted LIBOR plus a margin ranging
from 1.25% to 2.00%, in each case depending on the financial performance of the
Company. Pursuant to the Debenture Indenture, the Company has pledged all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Finlay Jewelry for the benefit
of the Debenture holders. Pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement, Finlay
Jewelry has pledged or caused to be pledged all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock (or other equity securities) of each of its direct and indirect
subsidiaries (including Sonab Holdings, Inc., Sonab International, Inc. and
Sonab) for the benefit of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
     Pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement, Finlay is required to reduce
the balance of the Revolving Credit Facility in each year to $50.0 million or
less for a 30 consecutive day period (the 'Balance Reduction Requirement').
However, the Indentures require Finlay to reduce the balance of the Revolving
Credit Facility in each year to $10.0 million or less for a specified 25
consecutive day period. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at May 3,
1997 were $101.2 million, compared to a zero balance at February 1, 1997 in
accordance with the then-applicable Balance Reduction Requirement and $71.8
million at May 4, 1996. The average amounts outstanding were $56.0 million and
$80.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997,
respectively. The maximum amount outstanding for the thirteen weeks ended May 3,
1997 was $108.0 million. The average amounts outstanding for 1995 and 1996 were
$68.4 million and $75.4 million, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding
under the Revolving Credit Facility in 1996 was $114.1 million. After giving
effect to increased borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility to finance
the Diamond Park
 
                                       23
Acquisition, the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility at May
3, 1997 would have been $169.6 million.
 
     The Company believes that, with the increased borrowing capacity under the
Revolving Credit Facility, it has sufficient liquidity to meet its anticipated
working capital requirements for both its domestic and foreign operations. The
Company does not expect that significant additional working capital will be
required in the near-term with respect to the operation of the Diamond Park
Departments because the Company will purchase the inventory of those Diamond
Park Departments which it is acquiring. On a going-forward basis, the Company

expects that inventory purchases for the Diamond Park Departments will be
financed in part by trade payables combined with an increased utilization of
consignment inventory compared to the amount of consignment merchandise on hand
at the time of the Diamond Park Acquisition. As such, management believes that
future working capital requirements for the Diamond Park Departments may be
reduced as compared to the amount of working capital required at the time of the
Diamond Park Acquisition. The Company expects to incur certain expenditures of
approximately $1.0 million associated with the integration of Diamond Park's
operations.
 
     Finlay's long-term needs for external financing will depend on its rate of
growth, the level of internally generated funds and the ability to continue
obtaining substantial amounts of merchandise on advantageous terms, including
consignment arrangements with its vendors. As of May 3, 1997, $220.2 million of
consignment merchandise from over 200 vendors was on hand as compared to $198.8
million at May 4, 1996. For 1996, Finlay had an average balance of consignment
merchandise of $201.8 million as compared to an average balance of $208.5
million in 1995. At the end of 1996, $194.3 million of consignment merchandise
was on hand as compared with $199.1 million at the end of 1995. See
'Business -- Store Relationships' and 'Business -- Purchasing and Inventory'.
 
     A substantial amount of Finlay's operating cash flow is or will be required
to pay, directly or indirectly, interest with respect to the Notes and the
Debentures and amounts due under the Revolving Credit Facility, including the
payments required pursuant to the Balance Reduction Requirement. As of May 3,
1997, Finlay's outstanding borrowings were $314.9 million, which included a
$78.7 million balance under the Debentures, a $135.0 million balance under the
Notes and a $101.2 million balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. On May
1, 1998, the Company will have a one-time option, in accordance with the
Debenture Indenture, to prepay all or a portion of the $39.0 million of accreted
interest on the Debentures as of such date. It is the Company's intent to prepay
all or a portion of such accreted interest to reduce outstanding indebtedness
and to take advantage of the resulting tax benefits relating to the
deductibility of such prepayment in 1998. The Company would fund this prepayment
using borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Debentures do not pay
cash interest until November 1, 1998. See 'Risk Factors -- Substantial
Leverage'.
 
     In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry entered into the Gold Consignment Agreement.
The Gold Consignment Agreement enables Finlay Jewelry to receive merchandise by
providing gold, or otherwise making payment, to certain vendors. Finlay Jewelry
can obtain, pursuant to the Gold Consignment Agreement, up to the lesser of (i)
85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25.0 million worth of gold, subject to a
formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. At May 3, 1997, amounts
outstanding under the Gold Consignment Agreement totaled 39,596 fine troy
ounces, valued at approximately $13.5 million. The average amount outstanding
under the Gold Consignment Agreement was $11.9 million in 1996.
 
     The Company is currently implementing financial and distribution software
that is Year 2000 compliant. The Company has begun to assess the impact of the
Year 2000 issue on its remaining operations, including the development of cost
estimates for and the extent of programming changes required to address this
issue. Although final cost estimates have yet to be determined, it is
anticipated that these Year 2000 costs will result in an increase to the

Company's expenses during 1998 and 1999 and are not expected to have a material
impact on the Company's ongoing results of operations.
 
     Finlay believes that, based upon current operations, anticipated growth,
and availability under the Revolving Credit Facility (including availability as
a result of the application of the net proceeds to the Company from the Offering
to reduce outstanding borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility), Finlay
Jewelry will, for the foreseeable future, be able to meet its debt service and
anticipated working capital obligations, and to make distributions to the
Company sufficient to permit the Company to meet its debt service obligations
and to pay certain other expenses as they come due. No assurances, however, can
be given that Finlay Jewelry's current level of operating results will continue
or improve or that Finlay
 
                                       24
Jewelry's income from operations will continue to be sufficient to permit Finlay
Jewelry and the Company to meet their debt service and other obligations. The
Revolving Credit Facility, the Note Indenture and the Gold Consignment Agreement
restrict distributions from Finlay Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay
Jewelry's net sales for the preceding fiscal year. The amounts required to
satisfy the aggregate of Finlay Jewelry's interest expense and required
amortization payments totaled $8.7 million and $8.6 million for the thirteen
weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997, respectively, and $21.0 million and
$21.7 million for 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code')
restricts utilization of net operating loss carryforwards ('NOLs') after an
ownership change exceeding 50%. As a result of the Recapitalization
Transactions, a change in ownership of the Company exceeding 50% occurred within
the meaning of Section 382 of the Code. Similar restrictions apply to other
carryforwards. Consequently, there is a material limitation on the Company's
annual utilization of its NOLs and other carryforwards which requires a deferral
or loss of the utilization of such NOLs or other carryforwards. The Company had,
at October 31, 1996 (the Company's tax year end), a NOL for tax purposes of
approximately $14.0 million which is subject to an annual limit of approximately
$2.0 million per year. For financial reporting purposes, no NOL exists as of
February 1, 1997. An additional change in ownership within the meaning of
Section 382 of the Code may occur as a result of the Offering. However,
management does not believe that there would be any additional restrictions upon
the Company's ability to utilize its NOLs or other carryforwards as a result of
such ownership change. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
SEASONALITY
 
     Finlay's business is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of its
sales and income from operations generated during the fourth quarter of each
year, which includes the year-end holiday season. The fourth quarter accounted
for an average of 42% of Finlay's sales and 86% of its income from operations
(excluding nonrecurring charges) for 1994, 1995 and 1996. Finlay has typically
experienced losses in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. During these

periods, working capital requirements have been funded by borrowings under the
Revolving Credit Facility. Accordingly, the results for any of the first three
quarters of any given fiscal year, taken individually or in the aggregate, are
not indicative of annual results. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See 'Risk Factors -- 
Seasonality'.
 
     The Company's Sales and Income (loss) from operations during each quarter
of 1994, 1995 and 1996 and for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 were as
follows:
FISCAL QUARTER
                                                        --------------------------------------------
                                                         FIRST       SECOND      THIRD       FOURTH
                                                        --------    --------    --------    --------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
1994:
  Sales..............................................   $ 93,858    $109,209    $109,657    $239,366
  Income (loss) from operations (1)..................     (2,231)      2,255       2,440      34,035
1995:
  Sales..............................................    112,716     135,428     132,058     274,289
  Income (loss) from operations......................     (1,220)      5,022       3,443      41,054
1996:
  Sales..............................................    130,719     137,188     136,140     281,227
  Income (loss) from operations......................        347       6,124       4,366      43,159
1997:
  Sales..............................................    134,592       --          --          --
  Income (loss) from operations......................        950       --          --          --
------------------
(1) The fourth quarter of 1994 includes $5.1 million (pre-tax) of expenses
    related to the management transition and consulting expense.
 
INFLATION
 
     The effect of inflation on Finlay's results of operations has not been
material in the periods discussed.
 
                                       25
BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
      Finlay is one of the leading retailers of fine jewelry in the United
States and France. The Company operates leased fine jewelry Departments in major
department stores for retailers such as May, Federated, Galeries Lafayette,
Belk, Carson Pirie Scott and Proffitt's. Finlay sells a broad selection of
moderately priced fine jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings
and watches, and markets these items principally as fashion accessories with an
average sales price of approximately $150 per item. Average sales per Department
were $729,000 in 1996 and the average size of a Department is approximately
1,000 square feet. Finlay operates 940 Departments and in 1996 achieved sales of
$685.3 million, making Finlay the largest operator of Departments in the United
States and France.
 
     Management believes that current trends in jewelry retailing, particularly
in the department store sector, provide a significant opportunity for Finlay's
growth. Consumers spent approximately $41 billion on jewelry (including both
fine and costume jewelry) in the United States in 1996, an increase of
approximately $17 billion over 1986, according to the United States Department
of Commerce. In the department store sector in which Finlay operates, consumers
spent $4 billion on fine jewelry in 1996. Management believes that demographic
factors such as the maturing of the U.S. population and an increase in the
number of working women have resulted in greater disposable income, thus
contributing to the growth of the fine jewelry retailing industry. Management
also believes that jewelry consumers today increasingly perceive fine jewelry as
a fashion accessory, resulting in purchases which augment the Company's gift and
special occasion sales. Finlay's Departments are typically located in 'high
traffic' areas of leading department stores, enabling Finlay to capitalize on
these consumer buying patterns.
 
     Host stores benefit from outsourcing the operation of their fine jewelry
departments. By engaging Finlay, host stores gain specialized managerial,
merchandising, selling, marketing, inventory control and security expertise.
Additionally, by avoiding the high working capital investment typically required
of the jewelry business, host stores improve their return on investment and can
potentially increase their profitability.
 
     As a lessee, Finlay benefits from the host stores' reputation, customer
traffic, advertising, credit services and established customer base. Finlay also
avoids the substantial capital investment in fixed assets typical of stand-alone
retail formats, which generally has enabled Finlay's new Departments to achieve
profitability within their first twelve months of operation. Finlay further
benefits because net sales proceeds are generally remitted to Finlay by each
host store on a monthly basis with essentially all customer credit risk borne by
the host store.
 
     As a result of Finlay's strong relationships with its vendors, management
believes that the Company's working capital requirements are lower than those of
many other jewelry retailers. In recent years, on average, approximately 50% of
Finlay's domestic merchandise has been carried on consignment. The use of

consignment merchandise also reduces Finlay's inventory exposure to changing
fashion trends because unsold consigned merchandise can be returned to the
vendor.
 
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     On September 3, 1997, Finlay entered into an agreement to acquire Diamond
Park, a leading operator of Departments, for approximately $66 million. By
acquiring Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments that had total sales of
$93 million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will also add new
host store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian.
Management believes that in addition to increasing sales volume, the Diamond
Park Acquisition will improve Finlay's results of operations through the
leveraging of expenses and the achievement of other operating synergies. Finlay
does not expect the Diamond Park Acquisition to have a material impact on
earnings per share in the current fiscal year but expects the transaction to be
accretive thereafter. The Company intends to finance the Diamond Park
Acquisition with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. 

 
     On July 8, 1997, the Company received a commitment letter to amend the
Revolving Credit Facility by (i) increasing the line of credit from $135 million
to $225 million, (ii) including eligible international
 
                                       26
assets in the borrowing base formula, (iii) reducing interest rates, (iv)
permitting higher balances during the annual balance reduction period and (v)
extending the maturity date from May 1998 to February 2003.
 
     In connection with the Diamond Park Acquisition, Finlay has agreed to
acquire substantially all of the assets relating to the operation of the Diamond
Park Departments in Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian, including
lease agreements, inventory and fixed assets. The purchase price also includes
goodwill, certain other inventory and specified Diamond Park transition
expenses. Zale Corporation has agreed not to compete with Finlay in the
operation of leased fine jewelry departments in the United States for a period
of seven years. The asset purchase agreement contains covenants, representations
and warranties and conditions customary for transactions of this type, including
the satisfactory completion of Finlay's due diligence review and receipt of
third party consents and other approvals. The Diamond Park Acquisition is
expected to be completed in October 1997. See 'Risk Factors -- Expansion'.
 
     On June 18, 1997, the Company announced the extension of its lease
agreements with Federated for an additional three years. The lease extensions
apply to all of Finlay's Departments within Federated stores, including leases
for Departments in Burdines, Rich's, Lazarus, Goldsmith's and The Bon Marche,
which have been extended through February 3, 2001, and the lease for Departments
in Stern's which has been extended through February 1, 2003.
 
GROWTH STRATEGY
 

     Finlay intends to pursue the following key initiatives to increase sales
and earnings:
 
          INCREASE COMPARABLE DEPARTMENT SALES.  In 1995 and 1996, Finlay
     achieved comparable Department sales increases of 5.7% and 5.9%,
     respectively, outpacing the majority of its host stores. These increases
     were achieved primarily by emphasizing key merchandise items, increasing
     focus on holiday and event-driven promotions, participating in host store
     marketing programs and positioning its Departments as a 'destination
     location' for fine jewelry. Finlay believes that comparable Department
     sales will continue to benefit from these merchandising and marketing
     strategies, as well as from increasing demand for fine jewelry.
 
          ADD DEPARTMENTS WITHIN EXISTING HOST STORE GROUPS.  Finlay's well
     established relationships with many of its host store groups have enabled
     the Company to add Departments in new locations opened by existing host
     stores. Finlay has operated Departments in May stores since 1948 and
     operates the fine jewelry departments in all of May's 364 department
     stores. Finlay also has operated Departments in Federated stores since 1983
     and operates Departments in 153 of Federated's 411 department stores. Since
     the beginning of 1992, host store expansion has added 123 net new
     Departments including 49 net new Departments since the beginning of 1995.
     Based on expansion plans recently announced by May, Finlay believes it will
     have the opportunity to open approximately 100 new Departments in May
     stores alone over the next five years (excluding possible closings).
 
          ESTABLISH NEW HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS.  Finlay has an opportunity to
     grow by establishing new relationships with department stores that
     presently either lease their fine jewelry departments to Finlay's
     competitors or operate their own fine jewelry departments. Finlay seeks to
     establish these new relationships by demonstrating to department store
     management the potential for improved financial performance. Since the
     beginning of 1992, Finlay has added such host store groups as Burdines, The
     Bon Marche, Elder Beerman and Stern's. Over the past two years, Finlay has
     added 27 Departments in the Hecht's division of May as a result of May's
     acquisition of John Wanamaker and Strawbridge's. By acquiring Diamond Park,
     Finlay will add Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's and Parisian to its
     host store relationships.
 
          EXPAND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS.  In October 1994, Finlay acquired
     Sonab, the largest operator of Departments in France. In 1996, Finlay
     expanded in France by adding 26 Departments in Monoprix and plans to open
     an additional 15 Monoprix Departments in 1997. Finlay operates 135
     Departments in France through five host store groups, including Galeries
     Lafayette, Nouvelles Galeries and Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville. In addition,
     in 1996, Finlay began operating seven Departments in Debenhams, a
     department store chain which operates 90 stores throughout the United
     Kingdom and Ireland. In 1996, the Company also opened a Department in a new
     Galeries
 
                                       27
Lafayette store in Berlin, Germany and is exploring additional
     opportunities in other European countries.
 
          CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OPERATING LEVERAGE.  Selling, general and
     administrative expenses as a percentage of sales declined from 44.2% in
     1993 to 42.3% in 1996. Finlay seeks to continue to leverage expenses both
     by increasing sales at a faster rate than expenses and by reducing its
     current level of certain operating expenses. For example, Finlay has
     demonstrated that by increasing the selling space (with host store
     approval) of certain high volume Departments, incremental sales can be
     achieved without having to incur proportionate increases in selling and
     administrative expenses. In addition, management believes the Company will
     benefit from recent investments in technology and refinements of operating
     procedures designed to allow Finlay's sales associates more time for
     customer sales and service. Finlay's new distribution and warehouse
     facility, expected to become fully operational in the Spring of 1998, will
     permit the Company to improve the flow of merchandise to Departments while
     reducing payroll and freight costs.
 
     Additionally, since 1994 the Company has opened nine domestic stand-alone
discount jewelry outlet stores which provide Finlay with a channel to sell
discontinued, close-out and certain other merchandise. The Company will seek to
identify opportunities to develop additional outlet stores.
 
MERCHANDISING STRATEGY
 
     Finlay seeks to maximize sales and profitability through a unique
merchandising strategy known as the 'Finlay Triangle', which integrates store
management (including host store management and Finlay's store group
management), vendors and Finlay's central office. By coordinating efforts and
sharing access to information, each Finlay Triangle participant plays a role
which emphasizes its area of expertise in the merchandising process, thereby
increasing productivity. Finlay's central office functions as a service
organization, assembling an assortment of merchandise for selection by Finlay's
store group management. Within pricing guidelines set by the central office,
Finlay's store group management contributes to the selection of the specific
merchandise most appropriate to the demographics and customer tastes within
their particular geographical area. Finlay's advertising initiatives and
promotional planning are closely coordinated with both host store management and
Finlay's store group management to ensure the effective use of Finlay's
marketing programs. Vendors participate in the decision-making process with
respect to merchandise assortment, including the testing of new products,
marketing, advertising, stock levels and pricing strategy. By utilizing the
Finlay Triangle, opportunities are created for the vendor to assist in
identifying fashion trends thereby improving inventory turnover and
profitability, both for the vendor and Finlay. As a result, management believes
it capitalizes on economies of scale by centralizing certain activities, such as
vendor selection, advertising and planning, while allowing store management the
flexibility to implement merchandising programs tailored to the host store
environments and clientele.
 
                                    [CHART]
                                      The
                                    Finlay

                                   Triangle

                              -----------------
                             |    CENTRAL      |
                             |     OFFICE      |
                              -----------------
                              / \                / \
                           |   |               |  |
                           |   |               |  |    
                           |   |               |  |
                          \ /                 \ /
                       ------------         -------------
                      |   VENDORS  | <----  |   STORE    |
                      |            | ---->  | MANAGEMENT |
                      --------------        --------------

                                       28
Finlay has structured its relationships with vendors to encourage sharing
of responsibility for marketing and merchandise management. Finlay furnishes to
vendors, through on-line access to Finlay's information systems, the same sales,
stock and gross margin information that is available to Finlay's store group
management and central office for each of the vendor's styles in Finlay's
merchandise assortment. Using this information, vendors are able to participate
in decisions to replenish inventory which has been sold and to return or
exchange slower-moving merchandise. In addition, vendors may input order
recommendations through Finlay's data processing system for approval by Finlay.
New items are tested in specially selected 'predictor' Departments where sales
experience can indicate an item's future performance in Finlay's other
Departments. Management believes that the access and input which vendors have in
the merchandising process results in a better assortment, timely replenishment,
higher turnover and higher sales of inventory, differentiating Finlay from its
competitors.
 
     Since many of the host store groups in which Finlay operates differ in
fashion image and customer demographics, Finlay's flexible approach to
merchandising is designed to complement each host store's own merchandising
philosophy. Finlay emphasizes a 'fashion accessory' approach to fine jewelry and
watches, and seeks to provide items that coordinate with the host store's
fashion focus as well as to maintain stocks of traditional and gift merchandise.
 
STORE RELATIONSHIPS
 
     HOST STORE RELATIONSHIPS.  Finlay operates 940 Departments in 28 host store
groups, located in 42 states, the District of Columbia, France, the United
Kingdom and Germany. By acquiring Diamond Park, Finlay will add 139 Departments
in three host store groups, located in 20 states. Finlay's largest host store
relationship is with May, for which Finlay has operated Departments since 1948.
Finlay operates the fine jewelry departments in all of May's 364 department
stores, including Lord & Taylor and Filene's. Finlay's second largest host store
relationship is with Federated, for which Finlay has operated Departments since
1983. Finlay operates Departments in 153 of Federated's 411 department stores,

including Rich's and Burdines. Over the past three years, store groups owned by
May and Federated accounted for an average of 47% and 21%, respectively, of
Finlay's annual sales.
 
     Finlay also operates Departments in numerous other host store groups, such
as Galeries Lafayette, Belk, Carson Pirie Scott and Proffitt's. Management
believes that it maintains excellent relations with its host store groups, 19 of
which have had leases with Finlay for more than five years (representing 80.9%
of Finlay's sales in 1996) and 15 of which have had leases with Finlay for more
than ten years (representing 72.8% of Finlay's sales in 1996). As a consequence
of the strong and, in many instances, long-term relationships, host store groups
have routinely renewed Finlay's lease agreements at their renewal dates.
Management believes that the majority of its lease agreements will continue to
be renewed routinely. See 'Risk Factors -- Dependence on Host Store
Relationships'.
 
                                       29
The following table identifies the host store groups in which Finlay
operated Departments at May 3, 1997, the year in which Finlay's relationship
with each host store group commenced and the number of Departments operated by
Finlay in each host store group. The table also provides similar information
regarding Finlay's international Departments, its domestic and international
stand-alone locations and the Departments to be added as a result of the Diamond
Park Acquisition.
INCEPTION OF                   NUMBER OF
HOST STORE GROUP/LOCATION                       RELATIONSHIP               DEPARTMENTS/STORES
---------------------------------------------   ------------    ----------------------------------------
MAY
Robinsons -- May.............................        1948                 55
Filene's.....................................        1977                 38
Lord & Taylor................................        1978                 62
L.S. Ayres/Famous Barr.......................        1979                 31
Kaufmann's...................................        1979                 47
Foley's......................................        1986                 53
Hecht's/Strawbridge's........................        1986                 70
Meier & Frank................................        1988                  8
                                                                         ---
  Total May Departments......................                                                    364

FEDERATED
Rich's/Lazarus/Goldsmith's...................        1983                 71
Burdines.....................................        1992                 44
The Bon Marche...............................        1993                 18
Stern's......................................        1994                 20
                                                                         ---
  Total Federated Departments................                                                    153

OTHER DOMESTIC DEPARTMENTS
Crowley's/Steinbach..........................        1968                 19
Gottschalks..................................        1969                 30
Younkers.....................................        1973                 32
Belk.........................................        1975                 51
Carson Pirie Scott/Bergner's/Boston Store....        1977                 50
Liberty House................................        1983                 11
The Bon-Ton..................................        1986                 39
Dillard's....................................        1988                  5
Proffitt's...................................        1991                  8
Elder Beerman................................        1992                 35
                                                                         ---
  Total Other Domestic Departments...........                                                    280
                                                                                             -------
    Total Domestic Departments...............                                                    797

INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENTS (SONAB)
Bazar de L'Hotel de Ville....................        1994                  6

Galeries Lafayette...........................        1994                 30
Monoprix/Inno/Baze...........................        1994                 40
Nouvelles Galeries...........................        1994                 59
Debenhams....................................        1996                  7
Jeanteur.....................................        1996                  1
                                                                         ---
    Total International Departments..........                                                    143

STAND-ALONE STORES
New York Jewelry Outlet......................        1994                  9
New Gold (Sonab).............................        1994                  3
                                                                         ---
  Total Stand-Alone Stores...................                                                     12
                                                                                             -------
    Total Existing Departments and
      Stand-Alone Stores.....................                                                    952

DIAMOND PARK DEPARTMENTS*
Mercantile Stores............................        1997                 90
Marshall Field's.............................        1997                 21
Parisian.....................................        1997                 28
    Total Diamond Park Departments...........                                                    139
                                                                                             -------
      Total Departments and Stand-Alone
         Stores After Diamond Park
         Acquisition.........................                                                  1,091
                                                                                             -------
                                                                                             -------
------------------
 
* Represents Departments to be added in connection with the Diamond Park
  Acquisition.
 
                                       30
TERMS OF LEASE AGREEMENTS.  Finlay's lease agreements typically have an
initial term of one to five years. Finlay has, where possible, entered into
five-year lease agreements and expects to continue this policy. Finlay's lease
agreements generally contain renewal options or provisions for automatic renewal
absent prior notice of termination by either party. Lease renewals are for one
to five year periods. See 'Risk Factors -- Dependence on Host Store
Relationships'. In exchange for the right to operate a Department within the
host store, Finlay pays each host store group a lease fee, calculated as a
percentage of sales (subject to a minimum annual fee in a limited number of
cases).
 
     Finlay's domestic lease agreements generally require host stores to remit
sales proceeds for each month (without regard to whether such sales were cash,
store credit card or national credit card) to Finlay approximately three weeks
after the end of such month. However, during the months of November and
December, most domestic host store groups remit to Finlay 75% of the estimated
months' sales prior to or shortly following the end of that month. Finlay's
international lease agreements generally require host stores to remit sales
proceeds for each two-week period (without regard to whether such sales were
cash, store credit card or national credit card) to Finlay approximately two
weeks after the end of such period. Each host store group withholds from the
remittance of sales proceeds a lease fee and other expenditures, such as
advertising costs, which the host store group may have made on Finlay's behalf.
 
     Finlay is usually responsible for providing and maintaining any fixtures
and other equipment necessary to operate its Departments, while the host store
is typically required to provide clean space for installation of any necessary
fixtures. The host store is generally responsible for paying utility costs
(except certain telephone charges), maintenance and certain other expenses
associated with the operation of the Departments. All of the lease agreements
provide that Finlay is responsible for the hiring (subject to the suitability of
such employees to the host store) and discharge of its sales and Department
supervisory personnel, and substantially all domestic lease agreements require
Finlay to provide its employees with salaries and certain benefits comparable to
those received by the host store's employees. Many of Finlay's lease agreements
provide that Finlay may operate the Departments in any new stores opened by the
host store group. In certain instances, Finlay operates Departments without
written agreements, although the arrangements in respect of such Departments are
generally in accordance with the terms described herein.
 
     In many cases, Finlay is subject to limitations under its lease agreements
which prohibit Finlay from operating Departments for competing host store groups
within a certain geographical radius of the host stores (typically five to ten
miles). Such limitations restrict Finlay from further expansion within areas
where it currently operates Departments, including expansion by possible
acquisitions. For example, Finlay sought and received the consent of certain of
its existing host store groups in connection with the Diamond Park Acquisition.
However, certain domestic lease agreements make an exception for adding
Departments in stores established by groups with which Finlay has a preexisting
lease arrangement. In addition, Finlay has from time to time obtained the
consent of an existing host store group to operate in another host store group
within the prohibited area. May and Federated have granted consents of this type

to Finlay with respect to one another's stores. In addition, in certain cases,
Finlay has found that, notwithstanding the absence of any geographical
limitation in a lease agreement, it may be limited as a practical matter from
opening Departments for competing host store groups in close proximity to each
other because of the adverse effect such openings might have on its overall host
store group relationships. See 'Risk Factors -- Expansion'.
 
     CREDIT.  Substantially all customer credit risk is borne by the host store
rather than by Finlay. Purchasers of Finlay's merchandise at a host store are
entitled to the use of the host store's credit facilities on the same basis as
all of the host store's customers. Payment of credit card or check transactions
is generally guaranteed to Finlay by the host store, provided that the proper
credit approvals have been obtained in accordance with the host store's policy.
Accordingly, payment to Finlay in respect of its sales proceeds is generally not
dependent on when (or if) payment is received by the host store.
 
                                       31
DEPARTMENTS OPENED/CLOSED.  During 1996, Department openings offset by
closings resulted in a net decrease of two Departments. There were 36 openings
within existing store groups. In addition, Department openings included thirteen
Departments in the Hecht's division of May, as a result of May's acquisition of
Strawbridge's, 26 Departments in Monoprix stores in France, the opening of seven
Departments in Debenhams stores in the U.K. and the opening of two additional
outlet stores. These openings were offset by a number of Department closings,
including 29 Departments in the Emporium/Weinstocks chain resulting from the
acquisition of those stores by Federated and their integration into the Macy's
chain which currently operates its own fine jewelry business. An additional
Emporium/Weinstocks Department was closed in 1995. Eight Departments in The
Jones Store Co. and 17 Departments in the Maison Blanche/Gayfers chain were also
closed in 1996 as the result of those stores' decision to consolidate their
Departments under the management of one lessee. In addition, 32 Departments were
closed within existing host store groups. See 'Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- 1996 Compared with
1995' and 'Risk Factors -- Dependence on Host Store Relationships'.
 
     The following table sets forth data regarding the number of Departments and
stand-alone stores which Finlay has operated from the beginning of 1992:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED                        THIRTEEN
                                         ------------------------------------------------------    WEEKS ENDED
                                         JAN. 30,    JAN. 29,    JAN. 28,    FEB. 3,    FEB. 1,      MAY 3,
                                           1993        1994        1995       1996       1997         1997
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------    -----------
DEPARTMENTS/STORES:
Open at beginning of period...........      662         746         757        903        941          939
Opened during period..................      124          69         159         70         84           17
Closed during period..................      (40)        (58)        (13)       (32)       (86)          (4)
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----

Open at end of period.................      746         757         903        941        939          952
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----
Net increase (decrease)...............       84          11         146         38         (2)          13
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----
                                         --------    --------    --------    -------    -------      -----
For the periods presented in the table above, Department closings were
primarily attributable to: the bankruptcy of host store groups; the
consolidation of, or ownership changes in, certain host store groups, in
particular internal consolidation within May; the closing or sale by host store
groups of individual stores; the closing of Departments in a host store group as
a result of the opening of Departments in another host store group that competes
in the same geographic market; host store group decisions to consolidate with
one lessee; and Finlay's decision to close unprofitable Departments. To
management's knowledge, none of the Department closings during the periods
presented in the table above resulted from dissatisfaction of a host store group
with Finlay's performance.
 
PRODUCTS AND PRICING
 
     Each of Finlay's domestic Departments offers a broad selection of
necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and watches. Other than watches,
substantially all of the fine jewelry items sold by Finlay are made from
precious metals and many also contain diamonds or colored gemstones. Finlay also
provides jewelry and watch repair services. Finlay does not carry costume or
gold-filled jewelry. Specific brand identification is generally not important
within the fine jewelry business, except for watches. With respect to watches,
Finlay emphasizes brand name vendors including Gucci, Seiko, Citizen and Movado.
Many of Finlay's lease agreements with host store groups restrict Finlay from
selling certain brand name items or, in some cases, set price minimums below
which Finlay may not sell particular items. Sonab's watch selection is limited
to private label watches marketed under Sonab's 'New Gold' and 'Gold Line'
names. In France, all other watch brands are sold by the host stores, which have
historically retained their watch business.
 
                                       32
The following table sets forth the domestic sales and percentage of sales
by category of merchandise for 1994, 1995, 1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May
3, 1997:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED                     
                             ---------------------------------------------------------      THIRTEEN WEEKS
                                                                                                 ENDED
                              JAN. 28, 1995        FEB. 3, 1996         FEB. 1, 1997          MAY 3, 1997
                             ---------------      ---------------      ---------------      ---------------
                                       % OF                 % OF                 % OF                 % OF
                             SALES     SALES      SALES     SALES      SALES     SALES      SALES     SALES
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----

                                                         (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
CATEGORY:
Gemstones.................   $132.3     24.5%     $148.6     24.4%     $153.1     24.1%     $ 31.2     25.0%
Gold......................    123.7     22.9       142.8     23.5       144.8     22.8        26.2     21.0
Watches...................    105.1     19.5       115.2     19.0       114.3     18.0        19.3     15.4
Diamonds..................    102.7     19.1       118.3     19.5       129.2     20.3        26.4     21.1
Other (1).................     75.5     14.0        82.8     13.6        93.5     14.8        21.8     17.5
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----
  Total Sales.............   $539.3    100.0%     $607.7    100.0%     $634.9    100.0%     $124.9    100.0%
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----
                             ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----      ------    -----
------------------
(1) Includes special promotional items, remounts, estate jewelry, pearls, beads,
    cubic zirconia, sterling silver and men's jewelry, as well as repair
    services and accommodation sales to Finlay employees.
 
See 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations'.
 
     Finlay sells its merchandise at prices generally ranging from $50 to
$1,000. In 1996, the average price of the items sold by Finlay was approximately
$150 per item. An average Department has over 4,000 items in stock. Consistent
with fine jewelry retailing in general, a substantial portion of Finlay's sales
are made at prices discounted from listed retail prices. Finlay's advertising
and promotional planning are closely coordinated with its pricing strategy.
Publicized sales events are an important part of Finlay's marketing efforts. A
substantial portion of Finlay's sales occur during such promotional events. The
amount of time during which merchandise may be offered at discount prices is
limited by applicable laws and regulations. See 'Legal Proceedings'.
 
PURCHASING AND INVENTORY
 
     GENERAL.  A key element of Finlay's strategy has been to lower the working
capital investment required for operating its existing Departments and opening
new Departments. At any one time, Finlay typically is required to pay in advance
of sale for less than half of its inventory because in recent years, on average,
approximately 50% of Finlay's domestic merchandise has been obtained on
consignment and certain additional inventory has been purchased with extended
payment terms. In 1996, Finlay's net monthly investment in inventory (i.e., the
total cost of inventory owned and paid for) averaged 33% of the total cost of
its on-hand merchandise. Finlay is frequently granted exchange privileges which
permit Finlay to return or exchange unsold merchandise for new products at any
time. In addition, Finlay structures its relationships with vendors to encourage
their participation in and responsibility for merchandise management. By making
the vendor a participant in Finlay's merchandising strategy, Finlay has created
opportunities for the vendor to assist in identifying fashion trends thereby
improving inventory turnover and profitability. As a result, Finlay's direct
capital investment in inventory has been reduced to levels which it believes are
low for the retail jewelry industry. In addition, Finlay's inventory exposure to
changing fashion trends is reduced because unsold consignment merchandise can be
returned to the vendor.

 
     Management believes the willingness of vendors to participate in the
inventory management process is due, in part, to the large volume of merchandise
which Finlay sells in its Departments and the desire of vendors to take
advantage of Finlay's nationwide distribution network. By offering their
merchandise through Finlay's Departments, vendors are able to reach a broad
spectrum of the marketplace in coordination with national or regional
advertising campaigns conducted by the vendors or their service organizations.
 
     In 1996, merchandise obtained from Finlay's 40 largest vendors (out of a
total of approximately 400 vendors) generated approximately 78% of domestic
sales, and merchandise obtained from Finlay's
 
                                       33
largest vendor generated approximately 12% of domestic sales. Finlay does not
believe the loss of any one of its vendors would have a material adverse effect
on its business.
 
     In addition, Finlay's new distribution and warehouse facility, expected to
become fully operational in the Spring of 1998, will permit the Company to
improve the flow of merchandise to Departments while reducing payroll and
freight costs.
 
     GOLD CONSIGNMENT AGREEMENT.  In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry consummated the
Gold Consignment Agreement, which enables Finlay to receive merchandise by
providing gold or otherwise making payment to certain vendors who currently
supply Finlay with merchandise on consignment. While the merchandise involved
remains consigned, the consignor and title to the gold content of the
merchandise transfers from the vendors to the gold consignor. As a result, such
vendors have reduced their working capital requirements and associated financing
costs. Consequently, Finlay has negotiated more favorable prices and terms with
the participating vendors. Finlay can obtain, pursuant to the Gold Consignment
Agreement, up to the lesser of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25.0 million
worth of gold, subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment
Agreement. At May 3, 1997, amounts outstanding under the Gold Consignment
Agreement totaled 39,596 fine troy ounces, valued at approximately $13.5
million. The average amount outstanding under the Gold Consignment Agreement was
$11.9 million in 1996. The current term of the Gold Consignment Agreement
expires on February 28, 1998. Management presently intends to renew the Gold
Consignment Agreement upon its expiration.
 
     Finlay pays a daily consignment fee on the dollar equivalent value of
ounces outstanding, a floating rate which, as of June 15, 1997, was
approximately 3.5% per annum. In addition, Finlay is required to pay an unused
line fee of 0.5% if the amount of gold consigned has a value equal to or less
than $10.0 million. In conjunction with the Gold Consignment Agreement, Finlay
granted to the gold consignor a first priority perfected lien on, and a security
interest in, specified gold jewelry of participating vendors approved under the
Gold Consignment Agreement and a lien on proceeds and products of such jewelry
subject to the terms of an intercreditor agreement between the gold consignor
and the Revolving Credit Facility lenders.

 
OPERATIONS
 
     GENERAL.  Most of Finlay's Departments have between 30 and 150 linear feet
of display cases (with an average of approximately 60 linear feet) generally
located in high traffic areas on the main floor of the host stores. Each
Department is supervised by a manager whose primary duties include customer
sales and service, scheduling and training of personnel, maintaining security
controls and merchandise presentation. Most of the Departments utilize from 105
to 260 staff hours per week on a permanent basis, depending on the Department's
sales volume, and employ additional sales staff during the peak year-end holiday
season. Each Department is open for business during the same hours as its host
store. Subject to the terms of the applicable host store group lease agreement,
Finlay is generally responsible for its own operating decisions within each of
its Department operations, including the hiring and compensation of sales staff.
See '-- Store Relationships -- Terms of Lease Agreements'.
 
     To parallel host store operations, Finlay establishes separate group
service organizations responsible for managing Departments operated for each
host store. Staffing for each group organization varies with the number of
Departments in each group. Typically, Finlay services each host store group with
a group manager, an assistant group manager, one or more group buyers, one or
more regional supervisors who oversee the individual Department managers and a
number of clerical employees. Each group manager reports to a regional vice
president, who is responsible for supervising up to nine host store groups. In
its continued efforts to improve comparable Department sales through improved
operating efficiency, Finlay has taken steps to minimize administrative tasks at
the Department level by introducing advanced technology such as an interface
between store cash registers and Finlay's central office. These steps are
designed to reduce administrative time requirements, thereby improving customer
service and, as a result, sales.
 
                                       34
Finlay had average sales per linear foot of approximately $11,200 in 1994,
$11,800 in 1995 and $11,600 in 1996. The decrease in sales per linear foot
during 1996 is attributed to more European Departments, which on average, have
lower sales per linear foot as compared to the domestic Departments. Finlay had
average sales per Department of approximately $674,000, $710,000 and $729,000 in
1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Finlay determines average sales per linear
foot by dividing its sales by the aggregate estimated measurements of the outer
perimeters of the display cases of Finlay's Departments.
 
     MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND INVENTORY CONTROL SYSTEMS.  Management believes
that its management information systems provide a significant advantage in
competing with other fine jewelry retailers. Finlay and its vendors use this
system to monitor sales, gross margin and inventory performance by location,
merchandise category, style number and vendor. Using this information, Finlay is
able to monitor merchandise trends, variances in performance and improve the
efficiency of its inventory management. Finlay also measures the productivity of

its sales force by maintaining current statistics for each employee such as
sales per hour, transactions per hour and transaction size.
 
     PERSONNEL AND TRAINING.  Finlay considers its employees an important
component of its operations and devotes substantial resources to training and
improving the quality of sales and management personnel. Finlay seeks to
motivate its employees by linking a substantial percentage of their compensation
to performance standards. In most cases, individual sales personnel are
compensated on an hourly basis and paid a commission on sales. Department
managers are generally compensated on the basis of a salary plus a percentage of
their Department's sales. Group managers and regional vice presidents are
eligible to earn bonuses of up to 50% of their base salaries upon the
achievement of specified goals.
 
     As of the end of 1996, Finlay employed approximately 6,000 persons in the
United States and approximately 500 persons in France, the United Kingdom and
Germany, approximately 90% of whom were regional and local sales and supervisory
personnel and the balance of whom were employed in administrative or executive
capacities. Of Finlay's 6,000 domestic employees, approximately 2,400 were
part-time employees, working less than 20 hours per week. Finlay's labor
requirements fluctuate because of the seasonal nature of Finlay's business. See
'-- Seasonality'. Management believes that its relations with its employees are
good. Less than 1% of Finlay's domestic employees are unionized. However,
substantially all of Finlay's employees in France are unionized. The average
length of service for Finlay's domestic employees at the group manager level and
above is approximately twelve years.
 
     ADVERTISING.  Finlay promotes its products through four-color direct mail
catalogs and newspaper advertising of the host store groups. Finlay maintains an
in-house advertising staff responsible for preparing a majority of Finlay's
advertisements and for coordinating the finished advertisements with the
promotional activities of the host stores. Finlay's gross advertising
expenditures over the past five fiscal years have consistently been in excess of
6% of sales, a level which is consistent with the jewelry industry's reliance on
promotional efforts to generate sales. The majority of Finlay's domestic lease
agreements with host store groups require Finlay to expend certain specified
minimum percentages of the respective Department's annual sales on advertising
and promotional activities.
 
     INVENTORY LOSS PREVENTION AND INSURANCE.  Finlay undertakes substantial
efforts to safeguard its merchandise from loss or theft, including the
installation of security alarm systems and safes at each location and the taking
of a daily diamond inventory. During 1996, inventory shrinkage amounted to
approximately 0.8% of sales. Finlay maintains insurance covering the risk of
loss of merchandise in transit or on Finlay's premises (whether owned or on
consignment) in amounts that management believes are reasonable and adequate for
the types and amounts of merchandise carried by Finlay.
 
     GOLD HEDGING.  The cost to Finlay of gold merchandise sold on consignment
in some cases is not fixed until the sale is reported to the vendor or the gold
consignor in the case of merchandise sold pursuant to the Gold Consignment
Agreement. In such cases, the cost of merchandise varies with the price of gold
and Finlay is exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the price of gold between
the time Finlay establishes the advertised or other retail price of a particular

item of merchandise and the date on which the sale of the item is reported to
the vendor. In order to hedge against this risk and to enable Finlay to
 
                                       35
determine the cost of such goods prior to their sale, Finlay must fix the price
of gold prior to the sale of such merchandise. Accordingly, Finlay at times
enters into futures contracts, such as options or forwards or a combination
thereof. The value of gold hedged under such contracts represented less than 1%
of the Company's cost of goods sold in 1996. Under such contracts, the Company
obtains the right to purchase a fixed number of troy ounces of gold at a
specified price per ounce for a specified period. Such contracts typically have
durations ranging from one to nine months and are generally priced at the spot
gold price plus an amount based on prevailing interest rates plus customary
transactions costs. When sales of such merchandise are reported to the
consignment vendors and the cost of such merchandise becomes fixed, Finlay sells
its related hedge position.
 
     The primary effect on liquidity from using futures contracts is associated
with the related margin requirements. Historically, cash flows related to
futures margin requirements have not been material to Finlay's total working
capital requirements. Finlay manages the purchase of futures contracts by
estimating and monitoring the quantity of gold that it anticipates it will
require in connection with its anticipated level of sales of the type described
above. Finlay's gold hedging transactions are entered into by Finlay in the
ordinary course of its business. Finlay's gold hedging strategies are
determined, implemented and monitored on a regular basis by Finlay's senior
management and its Board of Directors.
 
COMPETITION
 
     Finlay faces competition for retail jewelry sales from national and
regional jewelry chains, other department stores, local independently owned
jewelry stores and chains, specialty stores, mass merchandisers, catalog
showrooms, discounters, direct mail suppliers and televised home shopping.
Several of Finlay's competitors are substantially larger and have greater
financial resources than Finlay. Management believes that competition in the
retail jewelry industry is based primarily on the price, quality, fashion appeal
and perceived value of the product offered and on the reputation, integrity and
service of the retailer.
 
     With respect to the operation of Departments in host store groups, Finlay
competes with a limited number of established Department lessees, such as J.B.
Rudolph, and department store chains. Management believes that competition for
the operation of Departments is based principally on the reputation of the
operator for integrity, the expertise and experience of the operator in offering
an attractive selection of merchandise at competitive prices and the operator's
ability to generate lease fees for the host stores. See 'Risk
Factors -- Competition', 'Risk Factors -- Expansion' and '-- Store
Relationships -- Terms of Lease Agreements' with respect to certain limitations
on Finlay's ability to compete.
 

SEASONALITY
 
     The retail jewelry business is highly seasonal. See 'Risk
Factors -- Seasonality', 'Selected Consolidated Financial Information' and
'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Seasonality'.
 
PROPERTIES
 
     The only real estate owned by Finlay is the recently acquired distribution
and warehouse facility, totaling 106,200 square feet (of which 17,350 is leased
to a tenant), at 205 Edison Avenue, Orange, Connecticut. Finlay leases
approximately 18,400 square feet at 521 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York, and
49,100 square feet at 529 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York for its executive,
accounting, advertising, the majority of its data processing operations and
other administrative functions. The leases for such space expire September 30,
2008. For certain operations at 500 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York, Finlay
has leased approximately 9,200 square feet under a lease which expires January
31, 2000. Finlay also leases retail space for its New York Jewelry Outlet and
French stand-alone stores and office space in France for Sonab's corporate
operations. Generally, as part of Finlay's domestic lease
 
                                       36
arrangements, host stores provide office space to Finlay's host store group
management personnel free of charge.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     Finlay is involved in certain legal actions arising in the ordinary course
of business. Management believes none of these actions, either individually or
in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on Finlay's business,
financial position or results of operations.
 
     Commonly in the retail jewelry industry, a substantial amount of
merchandise is sold at a discount to the 'regular' or 'original' price. Finlay's
experience is consistent with this practice. See 'Business -- Products and
Pricing'. A number of states in which Finlay operates have regulations which
require retailers who offer merchandise at discounted prices to offer the
merchandise at the 'regular' or 'original' prices for stated periods of time.
Finlay has received inquiries and has been subject to investigation from time to
time by various states with respect to its compliance with such regulations. In
1987 and 1989, Finlay entered into consent decrees with the states of Wisconsin
and Georgia, respectively, in connection with Finlay's past sales discounting
and other practices and paid nominal fines to both states. In addition, one of
Finlay's store groups entered into a consent decree with the state of Oregon in
1988 and two others are subject to standing injunctions, one issued at the
request of the state of California in 1988 and the other issued at the request
of the state of Colorado in 1990, regarding the sales discounting practices of
the host store groups in the respective states. As a lessee of the host store
groups, Finlay is obligated to comply with the consent decree and injunctions in
effect with respect to the host store groups. Although Finlay receives inquiries

from various state authorities from time to time, management believes it is in
substantial compliance with all applicable federal and state laws with respect
to such practices.
 
                                       37
MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
     Set forth below is certain information with respect to each of the current
executive officers and directors of the Company and Finlay Jewelry. Each of the
persons listed as a director is a member of the Board of Directors of both the
Company and Finlay Jewelry.
NAME                   AGE                         POSITION
------------------------------------   ---   -----------------------------------------------------
David B. Cornstein..................   59    Chairman of the Company and Director
Arthur E. Reiner....................   57    President, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman
                                             of the Company, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
                                             of Finlay Jewelry and Director
Joseph M. Melvin....................   48    Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
                                             of the Company and President and Chief Operating
                                             Officer of Finlay Jewelry
Leslie A. Philip....................   50    Executive Vice President of the Company and Executive
                                             Vice President--Merchandising and Sales Promotion of
                                             Finlay Jewelry
Barry D. Scheckner..................   49    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
                                             the Company and Finlay Jewelry
Edward Stein........................   53    Senior Vice President and Director of Stores of
                                             Finlay Jewelry
Rohit M. Desai......................   58    Director
James Martin Kaplan.................   52    Director
Thomas H. Lee.......................   53    Director
Norman S. Matthews..................   64    Director
Warren C. Smith, Jr.................   41    Director
The Company, the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management
Stockholders and certain third parties are parties to the Stockholders'
Agreement which provides, among other things, that all parties thereto, subject
to certain conditions, vote their shares to fix the number of members of the
Board of Directors of the Company at eight and to vote in favor of six directors
who will be nominated as follows: two by the Lee Investors; one by the Desai
Investors; two by Mr. Cornstein (one of whom must be a management employee of
the Company); and one by Mr. Reiner. See 'Risk Factors --  Concentration of
Ownership'. The nomination and election of the remaining two directors is not
governed by the Stockholders' Agreement, although the Stockholders' Agreement
does require that such directors not be parties to the Stockholders' Agreement.

 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of various persons to designate
directors will be reduced or eliminated at such time as they own less than
certain specified percentages of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding.
Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement (i) Messrs. Lee and Smith were nominated
to the Board of Directors as the designees of the Lee Investors, (ii) Mr. Desai
was nominated by the Desai Investors, (iii) Messrs. Cornstein and Kaplan were
nominated by Mr. Cornstein and (iv) Mr. Reiner nominated himself.
 
     The Stockholders' Agreement also provides that the executive committee of
the Board of Directors will consist of five directors, including one independent
director selected by the Board of Directors, one member designated by Mr. Lee
(so long as the Lee Investors have the right to designate a nominee for
director), one member designated by the Desai Investors (so long as the Desai
Investors have the right to designate a nominee for director) and two members
designated by Mr. Cornstein (which number will be reduced to one if Mr.
Cornstein is only entitled to designate one nominee for director and none if Mr.
Cornstein ceases to have the right to designate a nominee for director). The
executive committee
 
                                       38
for the Company presently consists of Messrs. Lee, Desai, Matthews, Cornstein
and Kaplan. See 'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders' Agreement'.
 
     Under the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company's
Board of Directors is classified into three classes. The members of each class
will serve staggered three-year terms. Messrs. Desai and Lee are Class I
directors; Messrs. Cornstein, Kaplan and Reiner are Class II directors; and
Messrs. Matthews and Smith are Class III directors. The terms of the Class III,
Class I and Class II directors expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to
be held in 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively. Officers serve at the discretion
of the Board of Directors.
 
     The business experience, principal occupations and employment of each of
the executive officers and directors of the Company and Finlay Jewelry, together
with their periods of service as directors and executive officers of the Company
and Finlay Jewelry, are set forth below.
 
     DAVID B. CORNSTEIN has been Chairman of the Company since May 1993 and has
been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry since their inception in
December 1988. From December 1988 to January 1996, Mr. Cornstein was President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. From December 1985 to December 1988,
Mr. Cornstein was President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of a
predecessor of the Company. Mr. Cornstein is a director of What A World!, Inc.,
a public specialty gift retailer.
 
     ARTHUR E. REINER became President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company effective January 30, 1996. He has been Vice Chairman of the Board of
the Company and Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay
Jewelry since January 3, 1995. Prior to joining Finlay, Mr. Reiner had spent
over 25 years with the Macy's organization. From February 1992 to October 1994,

Mr. Reiner was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's East, a subsidiary
of Macy's. From 1988 to 1992, Mr. Reiner was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Macy's Northeast, which was combined with Macy's Atlanta division to
form Macy's East in 1992. Mr. Reiner is also a director of Loehmann's, Inc.
 
     JOSEPH M. MELVIN was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company and President and Chief Operating Officer of
Finlay Jewelry on May 1, 1997. From September 1975 to March 1997, Mr. Melvin
served in various positions with May, including, from 1990 to March 1997, as
Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Filene's.
 
     LESLIE A. PHILIP has been Executive Vice President of the Company since May
1997 and Executive Vice President -- Merchandising and Sales Promotion of Finlay
Jewelry since May 1995. From 1993 to May 1995, Ms. Philip was Senior Vice
President -- Advertising and Sales Promotion of Macy's, and from 1988 to 1993,
Ms. Philip was Senior Vice President -- Merchandise -- Fine Jewelry at Macy's.
Ms. Philip held various other positions at Macy's from 1970 to 1988.
 
     BARRY D. SCHECKNER has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Finlay Jewelry since December 1988. Mr. Scheckner has also been
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since September
1992. Prior to September 1992, he was Treasurer of the Company. From February
1983 through December 1988 Mr. Scheckner held various finance and accounting
positions with Finlay's predecessors.
 
     EDWARD STEIN has been Senior Vice President -- Director of Stores of Finlay
Jewelry since July 1995. From December 1988 to June 1995, Mr. Stein was Vice
President -- Regional Supervisor of Finlay Jewelry, and occupied similar
positions with Finlay's predecessors from 1983 to December 1988.
 
     ROHIT M. DESAI has been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry since
May 1993. Mr. Desai is the founder of and, since its formation in 1984, has been
Chairman and President of Desai Capital Management Incorporated, a specialized
equity investment management firm in New York which manages the assets of
various institutional clients, including Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., Equity-
Linked Investors-II and Private Equity Investors III, L.P. Mr. Desai is also the
managing general partner of the general partners of each of Equity-Linked
Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II and the
 
                                       39
managing member of the general partner of Private Equity Investors III, L.P. Mr.
Desai serves as a director of The Rouse Company and Sunglass Hut International,
Incorporated.
 
     JAMES MARTIN KAPLAN has been a director of the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
their predecessors since 1985. Mr. Kaplan has been a partner with the law firm
of Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan, counsel to the Company, since 1977. Mr.
Kaplan is also a director of What A World!, Inc.
 
     THOMAS H. LEE has been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry since
May 1993. Since 1974, Mr. Lee has been President of Thomas H. Lee Company. He is

a director of Autotote Corporation, First Security Services Corporation, Miller
Import Corporation, Sondik Supply Corporation, Livent Inc., Playtex Products,
Inc., Signature Brands, Inc. and Vail Resorts, Inc. Mr. Lee is also a director
of a number of other privately-held companies. Mr. Lee is a general partner of
ML-Lee Acquisition Fund, L.P., ML-Lee Acquisition Fund II, L.P. and ML-Lee
Acquisition Fund (Retirements Accounts) II, L.P. (collectively, the 'ML-Lee
Funds'). Mr. Lee is Chairman of Thomas H. Lee Advisors I and general partner of
Thomas H. Lee Advisors II, L.P., the investment advisors to the ML-Lee Funds. He
is the general partner of THL Equity Advisors Limited Partnership, the general
partner of and investment advisor to Thomas H. Lee Equity Partners, L.P., and an
officer and director of THL Equity Trust III, the general partner of THL Equity
Advisors III Limited Partnership, the general partner and investment advisor to
Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund III, L.P., and Thomas H. Lee Foreign Fund III, L.P.
 
     NORMAN S. MATTHEWS has been a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry
since July 1993. Mr. Matthews has been a retail consultant based in New York for
over six years. Prior to that time, Mr. Matthews served as President of
Federated. He is also a director of Toys 'R' Us, Inc., The Progressive
Corporation, Loehmann's, Inc. and Lechters, Inc.
 
     WARREN C. SMITH, JR. has served as a director of the Company and Finlay
Jewelry since May 1993. Mr. Smith is a Managing Director of Thomas H. Lee
Company and has been employed by Thomas H. Lee Company since 1990. In addition,
Mr. Smith is Vice President of THL Equity Trust, a general partner of THL
Equity Advisors Limited Partnership, the general partner of Thomas H. Lee Equity
Partners, L.P. He is also a director of Rayovac Corporation.
 
                                       40
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
     The following table sets forth information with respect to the compensation
in 1996, 1995 and 1994 of Finlay's Chief Executive Officer and each of the four
other mostly highly compensated executive officers of the Company or Finlay
Jewelry, including the Company's former Chief Executive Officer (collectively,
the 'Named Executive Officers'). For information regarding compensation paid to
Mr. Joseph Melvin, who joined the Company in May 1997, see '-- Employment
Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'.
LONG TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                       -----------------------------
                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION                                NUMBER OF
                       ---------------------------------------------   RESTRICTED      SECURITIES
 NAME AND PRINCIPAL                                   OTHER ANNUAL       STOCK         UNDERLYING         ALL OTHER
       POSITION        YEAR    SALARY    BONUSES    COMPENSATION (1)     AWARDS     OPTIONS/SARS (2)   COMPENSATION (3)
---------------------  ----   --------   --------   ----------------   ----------   ----------------   ----------------
ARTHUR E. REINER (4)   1996   $700,000   $253,750          --               --              --                 $ 27,495

  President, Chief     1995    666,660   215,900           --               --              --                   22,315
  Executive Officer    1994     55,555     --              --               --             69,263                 --
  and Vice Chairman
  of the Company and
  Chairman and Chief
  Executive Officer
  of Finlay Jewelry

DAVID B. CORNSTEIN     1996    600,000   137,500        $ 42,977            --              --                   51,623
  Chairman and former  1995    600,000    65,900          41,011            --             66,667                51,753
  Chief Executive      1994    500,000   275,000          36,318            --              --                   47,225
  Officer of the
  Company

LESLIE A. PHILIP (5)   1996    320,000   116,000           --               --              --                    8,730
  Executive Vice       1995    213,710    75,000           --               --             33,333                 1,974
  President of the     1994      --        --              --               --              --                    --
  Company and
  Executive Vice
  President --
  Merchandising and
  Sales Promotion of
  Finlay Jewelry

BARRY D. SCHECKNER     1996    300,000   108,750           --               --              --                    8,398
  Senior Vice          1995    300,000    35,000           --               --             10,000                 8,528
  President and Chief  1994    275,004     --              --               --              --                  108,615
  Financial Officer
  of the Company and
  Finlay Jewelry

EDWARD STEIN           1996    275,000   107,360           --               --              --                    9,105
  Senior Vice          1995    267,086    40,000           --               --              8,333                 8,716
  President and        1994    183,500    62,500           --               --              --                    8,686
  Director of Stores
  of Finlay Jewelry
------------------
 
(1) Represents tax equalization payments made in connection with life insurance
    premiums paid by Finlay on behalf of the Named Executive Officers.
 
(2) See '-- Option/SAR Grants in 1996 and 1997'.
 
                                                   (Continued on following page)
 
                                       41
(3) Includes for each Named Executive Officer the sum of the following amounts
    earned in 1996, 1995 and 1994 for such Named Executive Officer:
LIFE          RETIREMENT       MEDICAL        ADDITIONAL
                                                  INSURANCE (a)    BENEFITS (b)    BENEFITS (c)    BENEFITS (d)
                                                  -------------    ------------    ------------    ------------
Arthur E. Reiner.......................   1996       $20,176          $5,375          $1,944             --
                                          1995        20,176            --             2,139             --
                                          1994          --              --              --               --
David B. Cornstein.....................   1996        44,304           5,375           1,944             --
                                          1995        44,304           5,310           2,139             --
                                          1994        39,242           5,310           2,673             --
Leslie A. Philip.......................   1996         1,786           5,000           1,944             --
                                          1995           450            --             1,524             --
                                          1994          --              --              --               --
Barry D. Scheckner.....................   1996         1,079           5,375           1,944             --
                                          1995         1,079           5,310           2,139             --
                                          1994           632           5,310           2,673         $100,000
Edward Stein...........................   1996         1,786           5,375           1,944             --
                                          1995         1,267           5,310           2,139             --
                                          1994           703           5,310           2,673             --
------------------
 
     (a) Insurance premiums paid by Finlay with respect to life insurance for
         the benefit of the Named Executive Officer.
 
     (b) The dollar amount of all matching contributions and profit sharing
         contributions under Finlay's 401(k) profit sharing plan allocated to
         the account of the Named Executive Officer.
 
     (c) The insurance premiums paid in respect of the Named Executive Officer
         under Finlay's Executive Medical Benefits Plan.
 
     (d) Mr. Scheckner received a bonus in connection with the Initial Public
         Offering.
 
(4) Mr. Reiner commenced employment with Finlay on January 3, 1995 and the
    salary above for 1994 reflects only compensation for the month of January
    1995. See '-- Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'.
 
(5) Ms. Philip commenced employment with Finlay on May 15, 1995 and the salary
    above for 1995 reflects only compensation for the period from May 15, 1995
    through February 3, 1996. Ms. Philip's annual salary for 1995 was at the
    rate of $300,000.
 
     On January 30, 1996, Mr. Reiner became President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. He has also been Vice Chairman of the Company and
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry since January 3, 1995.
Mr. Cornstein continues as the Chairman of the Company. For a discussion of the
employment arrangements with Messrs. Reiner and Cornstein, see 'Risk Factors --
Dependence on Key Officers' and '-- Employment Agreements and Change of Control
Arrangements'.

 
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
 
     The Company currently has two long-term incentive plans, for which it has
reserved a total of 1,082,596 shares of Common Stock for issuance in connection
with awards. Of this total, 732,596 shares of Common Stock have been reserved
for issuance under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan (the '1993 Plan'), of
which 79,750 shares have been issued to date in connection with exercises of
options granted under the 1993 Plan and 645,919 shares are reserved for issuance
upon exercise of currently outstanding options. The remaining 6,927 shares of
Common Stock are available for future grants under the 1993 Plan. In 1997, the
Company's Board of Directors and stockholders approved the Company's 1997 Long
Term Incentive Plan (the '1997 Plan' and, together with the 1993 Plan, the
'Incentive Plans'), which is intended as a successor to the 1993 Plan. The 1997
Plan is similar to the 1993 Plan and provides for the grant of the same types of
awards as are currently available under the 1993 Plan. The maximum number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the 1997 Plan is 350,000.
The Company has granted options to purchase 312,815 shares of Common Stock under
the 1997 Plan. The remaining 37,185 shares of Common Stock are available for
future grants under the 1997 Plan. See '-- Option/SAR Grants in 1996 and 1997'.
 
     The Incentive Plans permit the Company to grant to key employees of the
Company and its subsidiaries, consultants and certain other persons and
directors of the Company (other than, in the case of 1993 Plan, members of the
Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors), the following: (i)
stock options; (ii) stock appreciation rights in tandem with stock options;
(iii) limited stock appreciation rights in tandem with stock options; (iv)
restricted or nonrestricted stock awards subject to such terms and conditions as
the Compensation Committee shall determine; (v) performance units
 
                                       42
which are based upon attainment of performance goals during a period of not less
than two nor more than five years and which may be settled in cash or in Common
Stock in the discretion of the Company's Compensation Committee; or (vi) any
combination of the foregoing. The 1997 Plan provides, however, that no
participant thereunder may be granted, during any fiscal year, options or other
awards relating to more than 175,000 shares of Common Stock.
 
     Under the Incentive Plans, the Company may grant stock options which are
either 'incentive stock options' ('Incentive Options') within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), or
non-incentive stock options ('Non-incentive Options'). Incentive Options are
designed to result in beneficial tax treatment to the optionee, but no tax
deduction for the Company. Nonincentive Options will not give the optionee the
tax benefits of Incentive Options, but generally will entitle the Company to a
tax deduction when and to the extent income is recognized by the optionee.
 
     The Incentive Plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors which, pursuant to the Incentive Plans, consists of
at least two directors. Subject to the provisions of the Incentive Plans, the
Compensation Committee has sole discretion (i) to select the individuals to

participate in the Incentive Plans, (ii) to determine the form and substance of
grants made under the Incentive Plans to each participant, and the conditions
and restrictions, if any, subject to which such grants are made, (iii) to
interpret the Incentive Plans and (iv) to adopt, amend or rescind such rules and
regulations for carrying out the Incentive Plans as it may deem appropriate.
 
     The Incentive Plans provide that the per share exercise price of an option
granted under the plans shall be determined by the Compensation Committee.
However, the exercise price of an Incentive Option may not be less than 100% of
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted and
the duration of an Incentive Option may not exceed ten years from the date of
grant. In addition, an Incentive Option that is granted to an employee who, at
the time the option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the 'employer
corporation' (as such term is used in the Code) or any parent or subsidiary
thereof shall have a per share exercise price which is at least 110% of the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date the option is granted and the
duration of any such option may not exceed five years from the date of grant.
Options granted under the Incentive Plans become exercisable at such time or
times as the Compensation Committee may determine at the time the option is
granted. Options are nontransferable (except by will or intestacy on the death
of the optionee) and during a participant's lifetime are exercisable only by
such participant.
 
     In making grants to employees under the Incentive Plans, the Company has on
occasion utilized a uniform Agreement and Certificate of Option (the 'Option
Agreement'), pursuant to which the Company grants ten-year options, 20% of which
vest on each of the first five anniversaries of the grant date. The Option
Agreement also contains transfer and certain other restrictions and provides
that options not vested may expire, or shares acquired upon exercise of options
may be repurchased at their exercise price, in the event of termination of
employment under certain circumstances. In addition, the Option Agreement
provides that (i) if an optionee's employment is terminated for 'Cause' (as
defined in the Option Agreement), such optionee's options will terminate
immediately, (ii) if an optionee's employment is terminated due to death,
'Disability' or 'Retirement' (each as defined in the Incentive Plans), such
optionee's options become fully vested and exercisable for a period of 21 days
following such termination and (iii) if an optionee's employment is terminated
for any other reason, such optionee's options remain exercisable to the extent
vested for a period of 21 days following such termination.
 
     The Incentive Plans may be amended or terminated by the Board at any time,
but no such termination or amendment may, without the consent of a participant,
adversely affect such participant's rights with respect to previously granted
awards. Under the 1993 Plan, the approval of the Company's stockholders is
required for any amendment (i) to increase the maximum number of shares subject
to awards under the 1993 Plan, (ii) to change the class of persons eligible to
participate and/or receive incentive stock options under the 1993 Plan, (iii) to
change the requirements for serving on the Compensation Committee or (iv) to
increase materially the benefits accruing to participants under the 1993 Plan.
Under the 1997 Plan, the approval of the Company's stockholders is required to
amend the 1997 Plan if the Compensation Committee determines that such approval
would be necessary to retain the benefits of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act
(with respect to participants who are subject to

 
                                       43
Section 16 thereof), Section 162(m) of the Code (with respect to 'covered
employees' within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code) or Section 422 of
the Code (with respect to Incentive Options), or if such stockholder approval is
otherwise required by federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any
exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock may then be
listed or quoted, or if the Board of Directors otherwise determines to submit
such action for stockholder approval.
 
     Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Incentive Plans, in the
event the Compensation Committee determines that any corporate transaction or
event affects the shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property
subject to an award under the Incentive Plans) such that an adjustment is
determined by the Compensation Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Incentive Plans, then the Compensation Committee shall,
in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and
type of shares (or other securities or property) with respect to which awards
may be granted under the Incentive Plans, (ii) the number and type of shares (or
other securities or property) subject to outstanding awards under the Incentive
Plans or (iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any awards under the
Incentive Plans or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to
the holder of an outstanding award in consideration for the cancellation of such
award (which, in the case of an option, will be equal to the positive
difference, if any, between the Market Value (as defined in the Incentive Plans)
of the shares covered by such option, as determined immediately prior to such
corporate transaction or event, and the exercise price per share of such
option).
 
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN 1996 AND 1997
 
     No options or stock appreciation rights were issued by the Company to the
Named Executive Officers during 1996. In 1997, the Company granted options to
purchase a total of 452,534 shares of Common Stock, of which options to purchase
300,000, 26,667, 13,000 and 12,667 shares were granted to Mr. Reiner, Ms.
Philip, Mr. Scheckner and Mr. Stein, respectively, at exercise prices ranging
from $13.875 to $14.00 per share. All of these options were granted under the
1997 Plan, except for the options with respect to 139,719 of the 300,000 shares
included in options granted to Mr. Reiner. The options vest and become
exercisable in equal installments on each of the first five anniversaries of the
date of grant, except for the options granted to Mr. Reiner, which vest and
become exercisable on January 2, 2001 so long as Mr. Reiner is employed by the
Company on such date, subject to various terms and conditions regarding early
vesting and early termination.
 
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING STOCK OPTIONS/SARS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to stock
options exercised in 1996 as well as the value of stock options at the fiscal
year end. No stock appreciation rights were exercised during 1996.

 
  AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN 1996 AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUE
NUMBER OF             VALUE OF
                                                                        SECURITIES            UNEXERCISED
                                                                        UNDERLYING              IN-THE
                                                                        UNEXERCISED              MONEY
                                                                      OPTIONS/SARS AT       OPTIONS/SARS AT
                                           SHARES                        YEAR-END            YEAR-END ($)
                                          ACQUIRED       VALUE         EXERCISABLE/          EXERCISABLE/
                 NAME                    ON EXERCISE    REALIZED       UNEXERCISABLE       UNEXERCISABLE (6)
--------------------------------------   -----------    --------    -------------------    -----------------
Arthur E. Reiner......................       --            --       23,088 / 46,175(1)     $17,316 / $34,631
David B. Cornstein....................       --            --       26,667 / 40,000(2)      20,000 /  30,000
Leslie A. Philip......................       --            --        6,667 / 26,666(3)      23,750 /  94,999
Barry D. Scheckner....................       --            --        9,200 / 12,800(4)      55,644 /  42,096
Edward Stein..........................       --            --        7,067 / 10,266(5)      41,858 /  32,072
(Continued on following page)
 
                                       44
------------------
(1)  Represents for Mr. Reiner 69,263 options granted on January 3, 1995 (all at
     an exercise price of $14.00 per share), of which 34,631 are
     performance-based and 34,632 are time-based. An aggregate of 23,088 of the
     time-based options became exercisable on February 3, 1996 and February 1,
     1997 and the balance of the time-based options, totaling 11,544, vest on
     January 31, 1998.
 
(2)  Represents for Mr. Cornstein 66,667 options granted on March 30, 1995 (all
     at an exercise price of $14.00 per share), of which an aggregate of 26,667
     became exercisable on March 30, 1995 and 1996 and the balance of 40,000
     vest and become exercisable at a rate of 13,333 per annum on each
     anniversary of the date of grant.
 
(3)  Represents for Ms. Philip 33,333 time-based options granted on May 16, 1995
     (all at an exercise price of $11.19 per share), of which 6,667 become
     exercisable on May 16, 1996 and the balance of 26,666 vest and become
     exercisable at a rate of 6,667 per annum on each anniversary of the date of
     grant.
 
(4)  Represents for Mr. Scheckner (i) 12,000 time-based options granted on May
     26, 1993 at an exercise price of $7.23 per share, of which an aggregate of
     7,200 became exercisable on May 26, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the balance of
     4,800 vest and become exercisable at a rate 2,400 per annum on each
     anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) 10,000 time-based options granted
     on April 5, 1995 at an exercise price of $14.00 per share, of which 2,000

     became exercisable on April 5, 1996 and the balance of 8,000 vest and
     become exercisable at a rate of 2,000 per annum on each anniversary of the
     date of grant.
 
(5)  Represents for Mr. Stein (i) 9,000 time-based options granted on May 26,
     1993 at an exercise price of $7.23 per share, of which an aggregate of
     5,400 became exercisable on May 26, 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the balance of
     3,600 vest and become exercisable at a rate of 1,800 per annum on each
     anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) 8,333 time-based options granted
     on April 5, 1995 at an exercise price of $14.00 per share, of which 1,667
     became exercisable on April 5, 1996 and the balance of 6,666 vest and
     become exercisable at a rate of 1,667 per annum on each anniversary of the
     date of grant.
 
(6)  The values of Unexercised In-the-Money Options/SARs represent the aggregate
     amount of the excess of $14.75, the closing price for a share of Common
     Stock at year end, over the relevant exercise price of all 'in-the-money'
     options.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     The Compensation Committee is presently comprised of Rohit M. Desai and
Thomas H. Lee. All decisions with respect to executive compensation of both the
Company and Finlay Jewelry are currently made by the Compensation Committee.
None of the present Compensation Committee members were, at any time, an officer
or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
     In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions, the Company, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and certain other
stockholders entered into (i) the Registration Rights Agreement, which grants
certain registration rights to the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and the
Management Stockholders and (ii) the Stockholders' Agreement, which granted
certain rights to, and imposed certain restrictions on the rights of, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and certain other
stockholders. The predecessor to the Stockholders' Agreement was amended and
restated in connection with the Initial Public Offering. See 'Certain
Transactions'.
 
     In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions in May 1993, the
Company and Finlay Jewelry entered into management agreements with each of
Thomas H. Lee Company (the 'Lee Management Agreement') and Desai Capital
Management Incorporated (the 'Desai Management Agreement' and, together with the
Lee Management Agreement, the 'Management Agreements'), affiliates of Mr. Lee
and Mr. Desai, respectively. Pursuant to the Management Agreements, Thomas H.
Lee Capital LLC (as assignee of Thomas H. Lee Company) and Desai Capital
Management Incorporated are entitled to receive $180,000 and $60,000 per year
plus expenses, respectively, during the five-year period commencing May 1993 for
consulting and management advisory services rendered to the Company and Finlay
Jewelry. After the initial five-year term, each of the Management Agreement will
be automatically renewable on an annual basis, unless any party thereto serves
notice of termination at least 90 days prior to the renewal date. Each of the
Management Agreements contain provisions entitling the managing company to
indemnification under certain circumstances for losses incurred in the course of
service to the Company or Finlay Jewelry.

 
     Any future transactions between the Company and/or Finlay Jewelry and the
officers, directors and affiliates thereof will be on terms no less favorable to
the Company and Finlay Jewelry than can be obtained from unaffiliated third
parties, and any material transactions with such persons will be approved by a
majority of the disinterested directors of the Company or Finlay Jewelry, as the
case may be.
 
                                       45
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
 
     Effective January 3, 1995, Finlay entered into an employment agreement with
Arthur E. Reiner to employ Mr. Reiner as Vice Chairman of the Company and
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finlay Jewelry. On January 30, 1996, as
contemplated by Mr. Reiner's employment agreement, the Company's Board of
Directors appointed Mr. Reiner to the office of President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. The employment agreement, as subsequently amended,
provides for Mr. Reiner to serve in such offices for a term expiring on January
31, 2001. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Mr. Reiner received an annual
base salary of approximately $666,660 in 1995, which was increased to $700,000
on the first day of 1996 and to $750,000 on the first day of 1997. Thereafter,
further increases will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Company. In addition to his annual base salary, Mr. Reiner will be entitled to
an annual bonus payment based on a target incentive amount equal to one-half of
his base salary for the applicable year (the 'Incentive Amount'). The payment of
the bonus in respect of a particular year will be based on the achievement by
Finlay of certain financial performance criteria based on EBITA-FIFO (the
'Target Level'), with 20% of the Incentive Amount payable if 90% of the Target
Level is achieved, increasing incrementally on a pro rata basis to 80% of the
Incentive Amount payable if 100% of the Target Level is achieved, increasing
further incrementally on a pro rata basis to 160% of the Incentive Amount
payable if 140% of the Target Level is achieved, and if over 140% of the Target
Level is achieved, the annual bonus payment shall equal 160% of the Incentive
Amount plus 1% of the Incentive Amount for each percentage point by which
Finlay's measured performance exceeds 140% of the Target Level. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, with respect to 1995, pursuant to the terms of his employment
agreement, Mr. Reiner received a bonus in the amount of $215,900.
 
     Under the agreement, Mr. Reiner received in January 1995 options under the
1993 Plan to purchase 69,263 shares of Common Stock at and an exercise price of
$14.00 per share. Of those options, one-half are time-based and one-half
performance-accelerated, vesting in ten years subject to accelerated vesting
upon achievement of specified performance goals. Of the time-based options, one-
third became exercisable on each of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and
one-third will become exercisable on January 31, 1998. One-third of the
performance-accelerated options will vest for each fiscal year commencing with
1995 for which EBITA-FIFO in the applicable year equals or exceeds certain
specified target levels in that year and any subsequent year. To date, none of
the performance-accelerated options have vested.
 
     In the event of Mr. Reiner's termination of employment either by the

Company for 'Cause' (as defined in the agreement), by Mr. Reiner for any reason
(other than 'Good Reason', as defined in the agreement) or as a result of Mr.
Reiner's death or Disability (as defined in the agreement), all the options, to
the extent not then exercisable, shall terminate. In the event of Mr. Reiner's
termination of employment either by the Company without 'Cause' or by Mr. Reiner
for 'Good Reason', all the options, to the extent not then exercisable, shall
thereupon become fully exercisable. In the event of Mr. Reiner's termination of
employment for any reason after January 31, 1998, all performance-accelerated
options, to the extent not then exercisable, shall terminate. In addition, in
the event of a 'Change of Control' (as defined in the agreement), (i) any
outstanding time-based options shall become exercisable and (ii) the
performance-accelerated options will vest to the extent (a) the 'Enterprise
Value' of the Company (as defined in the agreement) exceeds certain established
'Enterprise Value' targets set forth in the agreement with respect to the fiscal
year in which the 'Change of Control' occurs or (b) the 'Change of Control'
represents a per share of Common Stock transaction price in excess of 130% of
the fair market value per share of Common Stock determined immediately prior to
the public announcement of such 'Change of Control'.
 
     Upon the commencement of his employment, Mr. Reiner purchased 138,525
shares of Common Stock (the 'Purchased Shares') at a purchase price of $7.23 per
share. The aggregate purchase price of the Purchased Shares was paid in the form
of a note issued by Mr. Reiner to the Company, the repayment of which is secured
by the Purchased Shares and certain proceeds received by Mr. Reiner upon
disposition of the Purchased Shares or upon any distribution paid on or with
respect to the Purchased Shares. In the event Mr. Reiner's employment is
terminated, the Purchased Shares
 
                                       46
(together with vested options and shares issued upon exercise of vested options
('Option Shares')) are subject to certain call rights and the Option Shares are
additionally subject to certain put rights. In the event the Company does not
exercise its call rights, the rights may be exercised by the Lee Investors and
the Desai Investors, pro rata based on their respective ownership of Common
Stock. The Purchased Shares and Option Shares are subject to certain
restrictions on transfer and registration rights set forth in the agreement and
are subject to the Stockholders' Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement, other than the provisions thereof relating to restrictions on
transfer. See 'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders' Agreement' and 'Certain
Transactions -- Registration Rights Agreement'.
 
     Under Mr. Reiner's agreement, subject to certain specified limitations,
Finlay is required to maintain life insurance on the life of Mr. Reiner in the
amount of $5.0 million, payable to his beneficiaries, and to provide Mr. Reiner
with catastrophic health insurance. In addition, Finlay is required to reimburse
Mr. Reiner for any income taxes owed by him as a result of the premiums paid by
Finlay with respect to such life insurance. The employment agreement also
provides for Mr. Reiner to receive an annual allowance for business use of an
automobile of up to $15,000.
 
     Mr. Reiner's agreement provides that if his employment is terminated prior

to a 'Change of Control' either by the Company without 'Cause' or by Mr. Reiner
for 'Good Reason', Mr. Reiner will continue to receive his base salary for the
balance of the term and bonus compensation (calculated as though 110% of the
Target Level were achieved) as if such termination had not occurred. In the
event he is terminated without 'Cause' and coincident with or following a
'Change of Control', Mr. Reiner shall be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to
299% of his 'base amount' (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code). In the
event that Mr. Reiner voluntarily terminates his employment within one year
following a 'Change of Control' in connection with which the acquirer did not
expressly assume Mr. Reiner's agreement and extend its term for an additional
three years or otherwise offer Mr. Reiner a contract on terms no less favorable
than those provided under the existing agreement providing for a term of at
least three years, or if he terminates his employment following a 'Change of
Control' for 'Good Reason', he will be entitled to a payment equal to 299% of
the 'base amount'. In the event that Mr. Reiner is terminated for 'Cause' or if
he voluntarily terminates his employment without 'Good Reason' prior to the
occurrence of a 'Change of Control', he shall be entitled to receive his base
salary through the date of termination and any bonus earned with respect to a
previously completed fiscal year which remains unpaid. Payments made to Mr.
Reiner upon termination of employment are subject to certain restrictions in the
event that such payments constitute 'parachute payments' under Section
280G(b)(2) of the Code. In addition, Mr. Reiner is required to mitigate certain
payments made to him under the agreement under certain limited circumstances.
 
     Under Mr. Reiner's agreement, a 'Change of Control' occurs when (i) a
person or group other than certain of the Company's existing stockholders and
certain related parties becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the
aggregate voting power of the Company, (ii) during any period of two consecutive
calendar years, there are certain changes in the composition of the Company's
Board of Directors or (iii) there is a sale of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets.
 
     On March 5, 1997, Mr. Reiner received an option under the 1993 Plan to
purchase an aggregate of 139,719 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of
$14.00 per share. Such option vests and becomes exercisable on January 2, 2001
so long as Mr. Reiner is employed by the Company on such date; provided,
however, that such option is subject to early vesting and early termination
under certain circumstances and are subject to various conditions. The Company
has also granted to Mr. Reiner an additional option under the 1997 Plan to
purchase 160,281 shares of Common Stock, which option has an exercise price of
$13.875 per share and is subject to similar terms and conditions regarding
vesting and termination.
 
     Effective May 26, 1993, Mr. Cornstein entered into an employment agreement
with Finlay providing for his employment as President and Chief Executive
Officer, and his appointment as Chairman of the Board, of the Company for a term
expiring on January 31, 1998. On January 30, 1996, Mr. Reiner was appointed
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Cornstein continues as
the Chairman of the Company. Mr. Cornstein's employment contract was recently
extended through
 
                                       47
January 31, 1999. Upon the expiration of the term of his employment agreement on
January 31, 1999, Mr. Cornstein is expected to become Chairman Emeritus of the
Company.
 
     Under his employment agreement, Mr. Cornstein is entitled to an annual
salary of $600,000 through the term of his agreement. In addition to his annual
salary, Mr. Cornstein is entitled to receive an annual bonus payment up to a
maximum of $250,000. The payment of the bonus in respect of a particular year
will be based on the achievement by Finlay of the Target Level, with 20% of the
maximum bonus payable if 90% of the Target Level is achieved, increasing
incrementally on a pro rata basis to 60% of the maximum bonus level payable if
100% of the Target Level is achieved, and further increasing incrementally on a
pro rata basis to 100% of the maximum bonus payable if 120% of the Target Level
is achieved. In addition, the Board may award bonus compensation outside of the
bonus prescribed under Mr. Cornstein's employment agreement.
 
     Under Mr. Cornstein's employment agreement, Finlay is required to maintain
insurance of $10.0 million on the life of Mr. Cornstein, payable to his
beneficiaries, and Mr. Cornstein is entitled to reimbursement for the income tax
liability resulting from Finlay's payment of premiums for the insurance.
Furthermore, the agreement requires Finlay to procure and pay for catastrophic
health insurance and the income tax liability related to such payments, if any.
 
     The agreement further provides that if Mr. Cornstein is terminated other
than for 'Cause' (as defined therein) or if he elects, as provided in the
agreement, to treat certain acts or omissions of the employer as a termination
of employment without 'Cause', Mr. Cornstein will, in addition to continuing to
receive his base salary, bonus and other benefits provided thereunder for the
balance of the term, also be entitled to receive a severance payment equal to
the sum of one year's base salary plus the average of the annual bonuses paid
during the term of the agreement (the 'Severance Amount'). The agreement
provides that the Severance Amount will be paid over a two-year period
commencing at the scheduled expiration of the term. In addition, if Mr.
Cornstein's agreement is not extended or renewed at the scheduled expiration of
its term, Mr. Cornstein will also be entitled to a severance payment equal to
the Severance Amount.
 
     Under Mr. Cornstein's agreement, in the event of a 'Change of Control' (as
defined therein) of the Company, if at any time within twelve months following
the 'Change of Control' Mr. Cornstein is no longer employed by Finlay (or any
entity which succeeds to the obligations of Finlay under the employment
agreement following the 'Change of Control') for any reason other than death or
disability, Mr. Cornstein will be entitled to a lump sum payment ('Change of
Control Payment') equal to the net present value of the base salary and bonus
payable to him over the remainder of the term (calculated, in the case of the
bonus, assuming the annual bonuses payable for each remaining year shall equal
the average of the annual bonuses paid to him for preceding years during the
term). However, if the Change of Control Payment does not equal or exceed the
lesser of (i) 299% of the Severance Amount or (ii) the amount, if any, by which
the fair market value of (a) equity interests in the Company and Finlay Jewelry
which Mr. Cornstein continues to hold after the Change of Control, (b) amounts
which he is entitled to receive in exchange for or as a distribution in respect
of his equity interests in the Company and Finlay Jewelry as a result of the

'Change of Control' and (c) any other consideration received as a result of the
'Change of Control' (other than pursuant to his employment agreement) is less
than $7.5 million, then Mr. Cornstein shall receive, in lieu of the Change of
Control Payment, the lesser of (i) and (ii).
 
     Under Mr. Cornstein's agreement, a 'Change of Control' occurs when (i) a
person or group other than certain of the Company's existing stockholders and
certain related parties becomes the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the
aggregate voting power of the Company or (ii) during any period of two
consecutive calendar years, there are certain changes in the composition of the
Company's Board of Directors.
 
     A portion of any payments which may be made upon such a 'Change of Control'
may be deemed an 'excess parachute payment' within the meaning of the Code, in
which event such portion will not be a deductible expense for tax purposes for
the Company.
 
                                       48
On May 1, 1997, the Company appointed Mr. Melvin to serve as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and President and Chief
Operating Officer of Finlay Jewelry. The Company has agreed to pay to Mr. Melvin
an annual base salary of $350,000 as well as an annual bonus based on the
achievement of certain targets, except that Mr. Melvin will receive a guaranteed
bonus of $75,000 during the first year of his employment. In addition, Mr.
Melvin was paid a $25,000 bonus upon his joining the Company. On May 1, 1997,
Finlay granted to Mr. Melvin an option under the 1997 Plan to purchase 50,000
shares of Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to $14.875. The
option will vest in equal installments on each of the first five anniversaries
of the grant date. The option will be subject to early termination under certain
circumstances and will be subject to various conditions. Mr. Melvin is also
eligible for such benefits as are available to other senior executives of
Finlay, including reimbursement of moving and relocation expenses. In the event
Mr. Melvin's employment is terminated by Finlay without cause (not including
death or disability) or his title is changed to a lesser title, he is entitled
to receive a lump sum payment equal to one year's base salary.
 
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
     Directors who are employees receive no additional compensation for serving
as members of the Board. Messrs. Lee, Desai, Smith and Kaplan receive no
compensation for serving as directors of the Company. For a discussion of
certain fees paid to affiliates of Messrs. Lee and Desai, see 'Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation'. For serving as a director of
the Company, Mr. Matthews receives aggregate compensation at the rate of $20,000
per year. Prior to the Initial Public Offering, Finlay had an agreement to
engage Mr. Matthews as a consultant at a per diem rate of $2,500, with such fees
in the aggregate not to exceed $80,000 per year. In 1996, 1995 and 1994, Mr.
Matthews received a total of $20,000, $20,000 and $66,311, respectively, for his
services as a director and consultant. The consulting agreement between Finlay
and Mr. Matthews was terminated upon completion of the Initial Public Offering,
except that all of the provisions of the consulting agreement relating to

options to purchase Common Stock granted to Mr. Matthews (as described below)
remained in effect. Mr. Matthews was granted, effective as of July 1993, options
under the 1993 Plan to purchase 33,333 shares of Common Stock, 16,667 of which
have an exercise price of $12.00 per share and 16,666 of which have an exercise
price of $16.50 per share. Twenty percent of these options vest on each of the
first five anniversaries of the grant date, with the unvested portion of such
options fully vesting on a 'Change of Control' (as defined in the consulting
agreement). On March 30, 1995, Mr. Matthews was granted additional options under
the 1993 Plan to purchase 16,667 shares of Common Stock at a price of $14.00.
Twenty percent of these options vested immediately, and an additional twenty
percent of such options vest on each of the first four anniversaries of the
grant date. On January 30, 1996, Mr. Matthews was granted additional options
under the 1993 Plan to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of
$11.16 per share, which options vested and became exercisable in January 1997.
In addition, on March 6, 1997, Mr. Matthews was granted an option under the 1997
Plan to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $13.875
per share, twenty percent of which options will vest on each of the first five
anniversaries of the grant date. All of Mr. Matthews' options are subject to
early termination under certain circumstances and are subject to various
conditions.
 
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS WITH DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     Prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering, Finlay entered into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers.
For a complete description of these agreements, see 'Certain Transactions --
Certain Other Transactions'.
 
                                       49
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of September 1, 1997, and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of shares offered hereby, by each of the Company's
directors and the Named Executive Officers, by all directors and executive
officers as a group and by the Selling Stockholder. No other person is known by
the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock. The Company
owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Finlay Jewelry.
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK                  SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
                                         BENEFICIALLY OWNED                      BENEFICIALLY OWNED
                                          BEFORE SALE UNDER                       AFTER SALE UNDER
                                         THIS PROSPECTUS (1)      SHARES TO      THIS PROSPECTUS (1)
                                       -----------------------     BE SOLD     -----------------------
                                       NUMBER OF    PERCENTAGE    ---------    NUMBER OF    PERCENTAGE
NAME                                    SHARES       OF CLASS                   SHARES       OF CLASS
------------------------------------   ---------    ----------                 ---------    ----------
Thomas H. Lee (2)...................   2,347,529       31.0%         --        2,347,529       24.4%
Rohit M. Desai (3)..................   1,657,441       21.9        953,029       704,412        7.3
David B. Cornstein (4)(5)...........     515,862        6.8          --          515,862        5.3
Arthur E. Reiner (5)(6).............     167,735        2.2          --          167,735        1.7
Norman S. Matthews (7)..............      46,667         *           --           46,667         *
Warren C. Smith, Jr. (8)............      29,168         *           --           29,168         *
Barry D. Scheckner (5)(9)...........      15,600         *           --           15,600         *
Leslie A. Philip (5)(10)............      13,333         *           --           13,333         *
Edward Stein (5)(11)................      11,533         *           --           11,533         *
James Martin Kaplan (5).............       4,000         *           --            4,000         *
All Directors and Executive Officers
  as a group (11 persons) (12)......   4,794,285       62.1%       953,029     3,841,256       39.3%
------------------
  * Less than one percent.
 
 (1) The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with
     respect to all shares of Common Stock subject to the terms of the
     Stockholders' Agreement.
 
 (2) Includes 2,048,808 shares of Common Stock held of record by Thomas H. Lee
     Equity Partners, L.P. ('THLEP'), the general partner of which is THL Equity
     Advisors Limited Partnership, a Massachusetts limited partnership of which
     Mr. Lee is a general partner, and 298,721 shares of Common Stock held of
     record by 1989 Thomas H. Lee Nominee Trust (the 'Nominee Trust'). Mr. Lee's
     address is c/o Thomas H. Lee Capital, L.L.C., 590 Madison Avenue, New York,
     New York 10022.
 
 (3) Includes 953,029 shares of Common Stock held of record by Equity-Linked
     Investors, L.P. ('ELI-I') and 704,412 shares of Common Stock held of record

     by Equity-Linked Investors-II ('ELI-II'). All 953,029 shares owned by ELI-I
     are being sold in the Offering. ELI-I and ELI-II are limited partnerships,
     the general partners of which are Rohit M. Desai Associates and Rohit M.
     Desai Associates-II (together, the 'General Partners'), respectively. As
     general partners, the General Partners have the power to vote and dispose
     of these securities. Rohit M. Desai is the managing general partner of each
     of the General Partners. Mr. Desai is also the sole stockholder, chairman
     of the board and president of Desai Capital Management Incorporated
     ('DCMI'), which acts as an investment advisor to ELI-I and ELI-II. Under
     the investment advisory agreements between DCMI and each of ELI-I and
     ELI-II, decisions as to the voting or disposition of these securities may
     be made by DCMI. DCMI and Mr. Desai disclaim beneficial ownership of the
     securities. The address of Mr. Desai, ELI-I and ELI-II is c/o Desai Capital
     Management Incorporated, 540 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022.
 
 (4) Includes options to acquire 40,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share.
 
 (5) The address of Messrs. Cornstein, Reiner, Scheckner, Stein and Kaplan and
     Ms. Philip is in care of the Company, 521 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
     10175.
 
 (6) Includes options to acquire 23,088 shares of Common Stock granted in 1994
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share. In accordance with applicable
     Commission rules, does not include 346,175 shares subject to options not
     exercisable within 60 days.
 
                                                   (Continued on following page)
 
                                       50
(7) Includes options to acquire 13,333 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an exercise price of $12.00 per share, options to acquire 13,334
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1993 having an exercise price of $16.50
     per share, options to acquire 10,000 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $14.00 per share and options to acquire 10,000
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1996 having an exercise price of $11.16
     per share. Mr. Matthew's address is 650 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
     10022.
 
 (8) Includes options to acquire 14,584 shares from the Nominee Trust. Mr.
     Smith's address is c/o Thomas H. Lee Company, 75 State Street, Boston,
     Massachusetts 02109.
 
 (9) Includes options to acquire 9,600 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an exercise price of $7.23 per share and options to acquire 4,000
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1995 having an exercise price of $14.00
     per share.
 
(10) Includes options to acquire 13,333 shares of Common Stock granted in 1995
     having an exercise price of $11.19 per share.
 

(11) Includes options to acquire 7,200 shares of Common Stock granted in 1993
     having an exercise price of $7.23 per share and options to acquire 3,333
     shares of Common Stock granted in 1995 having an exercise price of $14.00
     per share.
 
(12) Includes options to acquire 147,221 shares having exercise prices ranging
     from $7.23 to $16.50 per share.
 
                                       51
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
THE 1993 RECAPITALIZATION
 
     In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions, the Lee Investors and
the Desai Investors invested in units consisting of the Company's Series C
Preferred Stock and Common Stock. Concurrently, certain other existing classes
of preferred stock and all outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock were
redeemed. These equity related transactions resulted in the Lee Investors and
the Desai Investors obtaining beneficial ownership of 52.6% of the
then-outstanding Common Stock.
 
     The Recapitalization Transactions also included the public issuance by the
Company of units consisting of the Debentures and Common Stock, the public
issuance by Finlay Jewelry of the Notes and the refinancing of the Company's
outstanding term loans and revolving indebtedness with the Revolving Credit
Facility. In connection with the Recapitalization Transactions, certain
executive officers and directors of the Company and Finlay Jewelry entered into
new employment agreements with Finlay. Also in connection with the
Recapitalization Transactions, Finlay entered into the Lee Management Agreement
with an affiliate of the Lee Investors and the Desai Management Agreement with
an affiliate of the Desai Investors. In July 1993, Finlay entered into a
consulting agreement with Norman Matthews, which agreement was terminated, in
part, upon completion of the Initial Public Offering. See '-- Employment
Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements', '-- Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation' and '-- Directors' Compensation' under the
caption 'Management -- Executive Compensation'.
 
THE INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING, SERIES C EXCHANGE AND STOCKHOLDER PURCHASE
 
     In April 1995, the Company completed the Initial Public Offering, in which
2,615,000 shares of Common Stock were sold to the public at a price of $14.00
per share, 2,500,000 of which were sold by the Company and 115,000 of which were
sold by certain non-management selling stockholders. The Company used the net
proceeds of the Initial Public Offering to repurchase a portion of the
outstanding Debentures and the balance thereof to reduce a portion of the
outstanding balance under, and accrued interest on, the Revolving Credit
Facility and to pay transaction costs. As part of the Initial Public Offering,
the Lee Investors, the Desai Investors and the Management Stockholders purchased
an aggregate of 208,163 shares of Common Stock from the underwriters of the
Initial Public Offering at the initial public offering price of $14.00 per
share. Immediately prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering, the

holders of the Company's Series C Preferred Stock exchanged all outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock with the Company for 2,581,784 shares of
Common Stock. For the purposes of the Series C Exchange, the outstanding Series
C Preferred Stock was (i) valued at its liquidation value of $30,000,000 plus
$6,145,000 of accrued dividends through April 13, 1995, paid in kind at a
quarterly rate of 2.5%, and (ii) exchanged for Common Stock at the price of the
Initial Public Offering. In connection with the Series C Exchange, a $10,000,000
non-recurring, non-cash charge representing the difference between the
liquidation value and the carrying value of the Series C Preferred Stock was
recorded.
 
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
 
     Prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering, the Lee Investors, the
Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders, all employees holding options to
purchase Common Stock, certain private investors and the Company entered into
the Stockholders' Agreement, which sets forth certain rights and obligations of
the parties with respect to the Common Stock and corporate governance of the
Company. Any employees of Finlay not parties to the Stockholders' Agreement who
received options to purchase Common Stock in connection with their employment
have been, and will continue to be, required to become parties to the
Stockholders' Agreement.
 
     The Stockholders' Agreement, as amended, provides that the parties thereto
must vote their shares to fix the number of members of the Board of Directors of
the Company at eight and to vote in favor of six directors who are nominated as
follows: two by the Lee Investors; one by the Desai Investors; two by Mr.
Cornstein (one of whom must be a management employee of the Company); and one by
 
                                       52
Mr. Reiner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right of various persons to
designate directors will be reduced or eliminated at such time as they own less
than certain specified percentages of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding or in certain cases are no longer an employee of the Company. The
designees of the Lee Investors currently serving on the Board of Directors are
Messrs. Lee and Smith; the designee of the Desai Investors is Mr. Desai; the
designees of Mr. Cornstein are Messrs. Cornstein and Kaplan; and Mr. Reiner is
his own designee. The Stockholders' Agreement also provides for the Executive
Committee to consist of five directors, including one director not a party to
the Stockholders' Agreement selected by the Board of Directors, one member
designated by Mr. Lee (so long as the Lee Investors have the right to designate
a nominee for director), one member designated by the Desai Investors (so long
as the Desai Investors have the right to designate a nominee for director) and
two members designated by Mr. Cornstein (which number will be reduced to one if
Mr. Cornstein is only entitled to designate one nominee for director and none if
Mr. Cornstein ceases to have the right to designate a nominee for director).
When a stockholder or group of stockholders loses the right to designate a
director, such director is to be designated instead by a majority of the
directors of the Company. The Executive Committee of the Company's Board
consists at present of Messrs. Lee, Desai, Matthews, Cornstein and Kaplan.
 

     In addition, the Stockholders' Agreement provides that the parties thereto
have (i) certain 'come along' rights allowing them to participate in private
sales of Common Stock by parties selling at least a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock and (ii) certain 'take along' rights allowing parties who
are selling at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock to
require the other parties to the Stockholders' Agreement to sell all or a
portion of their shares of Common Stock to the same purchaser in the same
transaction on the same terms.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
     The Registration Rights Agreement grants certain registration rights to the
Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, certain other investors and the Management
Stockholders. Lee Investors and Desai Investors who together hold at least 31%
of the outstanding 'Registrable Securities' (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement) are entitled to request jointly, and the Company shall be
obligated to effect, up to three registrations of 'Registrable Securities'. On
or after June 1, 1998, the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors may demand
registration without the other under certain circumstances. The Registration
Rights Agreement also provides that stockholders who are parties thereto (other
than the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors) holding in the aggregate at
least 20% of the 'Registrable Securities' then outstanding will have the right
on one occasion to require the Company to file a registration statement with the
Commission covering all or a portion of their 'Registrable Securities' in
certain circumstances. In addition, under the Registration Rights Agreement, if
the Company proposes to register shares of Common Stock under the Securities
Act, either for its own account or for the account of others (other than a
registration statement that relates to employee benefit plans or is otherwise
unavailable for registering the 'Registrable Securities' for sale to the
public), then each party to the Registration Rights Agreement will have the
right, subject to certain restrictions and priorities, to request that the
Company register its shares of Common Stock in connection with such
registration. Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., one of the Desai Investors, has
requested that the Company register all of the 953,029 shares of Common Stock
owned by it for sale in the Offering. See 'Principal and Selling Stockholders'.
Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the holders of 'Registrable
Securities', on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, agree to indemnify
each other for certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act, in connection with any registration of shares subject to the Registration
Rights Agreement.
 
CERTAIN OTHER TRANSACTIONS
 
     Prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering, Finlay entered into
indemnification agreements with each of Finlay's directors and certain executive
officers. The indemnification agreements require, among other things, that
Finlay indemnify its directors and executive officers against certain
liabilities and associated expenses arising from their service as directors and
executive officers of Finlay and reimburse certain related legal and other
expenses. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined
 
                                       53
therein) Finlay will, upon request by an indemnitee under the agreements, create
and fund a trust for the benefit of such indemnitee sufficient to satisfy
reasonably anticipated claims for indemnification. Finlay covers each director
and certain executive officers under a directors and officers liability policy
maintained by Finlay in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Company
finds reasonable. Although the indemnification agreements offer coverage similar
to the provisions in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and the DGCL,
they provide greater assurance to directors and officers that indemnification
will be available, because, as contracts, they cannot be modified unilaterally
in the future by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders to eliminate the
rights they provide.
 
     The law firm of Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan provides legal services to
Finlay Jewelry and the Company. James Martin Kaplan, a director of Finlay
Jewelry and the Company, is a partner with Zimet, Haines, Friedman & Kaplan. In
1995, Finlay Jewelry and the Company paid an aggregate of $904,460 for legal
services rendered to them by such law firm.
 
     For information relating to certain transactions involving members of
management or others, see '-- Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation' and '-- Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements'
under the caption 'Management -- Executive Compensation'.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     Prior to giving effect to the Offering, the authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share,
and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which
7,569,478 shares of Common Stock are outstanding and no shares of Preferred
Stock are outstanding. The only shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance by
the Company's Board of Directors are the 1,002,846 shares of Common Stock
reserved for future issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plans. See 'Risk Factors
-- Limited Public Market for Common Stock; Volatility of Market Price'.
 
     Immediately following consummation of the Offering, the authorized capital
stock of the Company will consist of (i) 25,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of
which 9,616,449 shares will be outstanding and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, none of which shares will be outstanding.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     VOTING RIGHTS.  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that
holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders. The stockholders are not entitled to vote
cumulatively for the election of directors.
 
     DIVIDENDS.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to receive dividends if,
as and when declared by the Board of Directors. Under Delaware law, a
corporation may declare and pay dividends out of surplus, or if there is no
surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is
declared and/or the preceding year. No dividends may be declared, however, if
the capital of the corporation has been diminished by depreciation in the value
of its property, losses or otherwise to an amount less than the aggregate amount

of capital represented by any issued and outstanding stock having a preference
on the distribution of assets. Finlay's debt arrangements limit the ability of
the Company to pay dividends. See 'Risk Factors -- Substantial Leverage', 'Risk
Factors -- Restriction on Payment of Dividends' and 'Dividend Policy'. The
Company expects that there will be no source of funds available to it for the
payment of distributions other than dividends or other distributions paid to the
Company by Finlay Jewelry.
 
     OTHER RIGHTS.  Stockholders of the Company have no preemptive or other
rights to subscribe for additional shares. Subject to any rights of holders of
any preferred stock that may be issued subsequent to the Offering, all holders
of Common Stock are entitled to share equally on a share-for-share basis in any
assets available for distribution to stockholders on liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company. No shares of Common Stock are subject to redemption
or a sinking fund. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.
 
                                       54
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the
Common Stock is Marine Midland Bank.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's ability to issue preferred stock is subject to restrictions
contained in the Indentures and the Revolving Credit Agreement. Future financing
agreements may also restrict the Company's ability to issue preferred stock. The
Company's Board of Directors is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of
preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series and with such
voting powers, full or limited, or without voting powers, and with such
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as the
Board of Directors may be permitted to fix under the laws of the State of
Delaware as in effect at the time such class or series is created.
 
CLASSIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
 
     The Company's Board of Directors is classified into three classes which
shall at all times contain, as nearly as practicable, an equal number of
directors. The members of each class will serve staggered three-year terms. At
each annual meeting of stockholders, Directors will be elected for a full
three-year term to succeed those Directors whose terms are expiring. The
Company's classified Board of Directors could have the effect of increasing the
length of time necessary to change the composition of a majority of the Board of
Directors. In general, at least two annual meetings of stockholders will be
necessary for stockholders to effect a change in a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors. See 'Management -- Executive Officers and Directors' and
'Certain Transactions -- Stockholders' Agreement'.
 
DIRECTORS' LIABILITY
 
     The Company has included in its Certificate of Incorporation provisions to

eliminate the personal liability of its directors for monetary damages resulting
from breaches of their fiduciary duty. This provision does not eliminate
liability for breaches of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good
faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
violations under Section 174 of the DGCL concerning the unlawful payment of
dividends or stock redemptions or repurchases or for any transaction from which
the director derived an improper personal benefit. However, these provisions
will not limit the liability of the Company's directors under federal securities
laws. Management believes that these provisions are necessary to attract and
retain qualified persons as directors and officers.
 
SECTION 203 OF THE DGCL
 
     The Company is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. Section 203 prohibits
publicly held Delaware corporations from engaging in a 'business combination'
with an 'interested stockholder' for a period of three years following the time
of the transaction in which the person or entity became an interested
stockholder, unless (i) prior to such time, either the business combination or
the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested
stockholder is approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (ii) upon
consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation (excluding for this purpose certain
shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers of the corporation
and by certain employee benefit plans) or (iii) at or after such time the
business combination is approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation
and by the affirmative vote (and not by written consent) of at least 66-2/3% of
the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.
For the purposes of Section 203, a 'business combination' is broadly defined to
include mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial
benefit to the interested stockholder. An 'interested stockholder' is a person
who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within the immediately
preceding three years did own) 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.
The Lee Investors and the Desai Investors are not subject to the foregoing
restrictions.
 
                                       55
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
     Upon completion of the Offering, the Company will have outstanding
9,616,449 shares of Common Stock. Of the 9,616,449 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, the 3,000,000 shares offered hereby are being registered under the
Securities Act. In addition, 2,615,000 shares were registered under the
Securities Act and sold in the Initial Public Offering and 130,667 shares were
registered under the Securities Act when issued by the Company and sold in units
with the Debentures in May 1993. All of such shares will be freely tradeable
without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for
any shares purchased or acquired by an 'affiliate' of the Company (as that term
is defined under the rules and regulations under the Securities Act). In
addition, the outstanding shares of Common Stock include an aggregate of
1,065,879 shares purchased by the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors in May

1993 in connection with the Recapitalization Transactions which were registered
under the Securities Act when issued by the Company and are not 'restricted
securities' within the meaning of Rule 144; however, so long as the holders of
such shares remain 'affiliates' and for 90 days thereafter, any sales of such
shares will be subject to the volume limitations and certain other restrictions
specified in Rule 144. The outstanding Common Stock also includes 79,750 shares
issued upon the exercise of options under the 1993 Plan, all of which were
registered under the Securities Act and are freely tradeable without restriction
or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares
purchased or acquired by an 'affiliate' of the Company. The remaining shares of
Common Stock are 'restricted securities' and may not be sold in the absence of
registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is
available, including the exemptions contained in Rule 144.
 
     The Company has reserved 1,002,846 shares for future issuance pursuant to
the Incentive Plans. All of these shares have been registered under the
Securities Act and will be freely tradeable without restriction or further
registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased or
acquired by an 'affiliate' of the Company.
 
     In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned 'restricted' shares for
at least one year, including persons who may be deemed to be 'affiliates' of the
Company, is entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of shares
that does not exceed the greater of (i) 1% of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock (96,164 shares after giving effect to the Offering) or (ii) the
average weekly trading volume of Common Stock during the four calendar weeks
preceding the date on which a notice of sale is filed with the Commission. A
person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not at any time during
the 90 days preceding a sale an 'affiliate' is entitled to sell such shares
under Rule 144, commencing two years after the date such shares were acquired
from the Company or an affiliate of the Company, without regard to the volume
limitations described above. As currently defined in Rule 144, an 'affiliate' of
an issuer is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such issuer. Sales under Rule 144 are subject to certain other restrictions
relating to manner of sale, notice and the availability of current public
information about the Company.
 
     The Company has agreed not to register for sale, and the Company, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors and the current directors and executive officers
of Finlay who hold Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock have agreed,
during the period beginning from the date of the Underwriting Agreement and
continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of this Prospectus,
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Common Stock or any securities which are substantially similar to the shares of
Common Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for, or represent the
right to receive, shares of Common Stock or securities which are substantially
similar to the shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the
representatives of the Underwriters, except, in the case of the Company and the
Selling Stockholder, for the shares of Common Stock offered in connection with
the Offering and, in the case of the Company, securities issued by the Company
pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on the date of this Prospectus.
 

     The Lee Investors, the Desai Investors, the Management Stockholders and
certain other individuals have the right to demand registration under the
Securities Act of their shares of Common
 
                                       56
Stock and have the right to have their shares of Common Stock included in future
registered public offerings of securities by the Company. These stockholders
have agreed not to exercise such rights for a period of 180 days after the date
of this Prospectus without the prior written consent of the representatives of
the Underwriters. See 'Certain Transactions -- Registration Rights Agreement'.
 
     Prior to the Offering, there has been a limited public market for Common
Stock and no prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that the sale or
availability for sale of additional shares of Common Stock will have on the
market price of the Common Stock. Nevertheless, sales of significant amounts of
such shares in the public market or the availability of large amounts of shares
for sale could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and could
impair the Company's future ability to raise capital through an offering of its
equity securities. See 'Risk Factors -- Limited Market for Common Stock;
Volatility of Market Price' and 'Risk Factors -- Shares Eligible For Future
Sale'.
 
                                       57
UNDERWRITING
 
     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters named below, and each of such Underwriters, for whom Goldman, Sachs
& Co., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and SBC Warburg
Dillon Read Inc. are acting as representatives, has severally agreed to purchase
from the Company and the Selling Stockholder, the respective number of shares of
Common Stock set forth opposite its name below:
NUMBER OF
                                                                                             SHARES OF
                                                                                              COMMON
                                       UNDERWRITER                                             STOCK
                                       -----------                                           ---------
Goldman, Sachs & Co.......................................................................
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.......................................
SBC Warburg Dillon Read Inc...............................................................
                                                                                             ---------
  Total...................................................................................   3,000,000
                                                                                             ---------
                                                                                             ---------
Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered hereby,
if any are taken.
 
     The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock in part
directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at such
price less a concession of $        per share. The Underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $        per share to
certain brokers and dealers. After the shares of Common Stock are released for
sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to
time be varied by the representatives.
 
     The Company has granted the Underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days
after the date of this Prospectus to purchase up to an aggregate of 450,000
additional shares of Common Stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If
the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, the Underwriters have
severally agreed, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the
same percentage thereof that the number of shares to be purchased by each of
them, as shown in the foregoing table, bears to the 3,000,000 shares of Common
Stock offered.
 
     The Company has agreed not to register for sale, and the Company, the Lee
Investors, the Desai Investors and the current directors and executive officers
of Finlay who hold Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock have agreed,
during the period beginning from the date of the Underwriting Agreement and
continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of this Prospectus,
not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of
Common Stock or any securities which are substantially similar to the shares of
Common Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for, or represent the
right to receive, shares of Common Stock or securities which are substantially
similar to the shares of Common Stock without the prior written consent of the
representatives of the Underwriters, except, in the case of the Company and the
Selling Stockholder for the shares of Common Stock offered in connection with
the Offering and, in the case of the Company, securities issued by the Company
pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on the date of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act.
 
     In connection with the Offering, the Underwriters may purchase and sell the
Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment
and stabilizing transactions, 'passive' market making and purchases to cover
syndicate short positions created in connection with the Offering. Stabilizing
transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing
or retarding a decline in the market price of the Common Stock; and syndicate
short positions involve the
 
                                       58
sale by the Underwriters of a greater number of shares of Common Stock than they
are required to purchase from the Company and the Selling Stockholder in the
Offering. The Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling
concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers in respect of
the Common Stock sold in the Offering for their account may be reclaimed by the
syndicate if such shares of Common Stock are repurchased by the syndicate in
stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain
or otherwise affect the market price of the Common Stock, which may be higher
than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and these
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions
may be effected on the Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the-counter market or
otherwise.
 
     As permitted by Rule 103 under the Exchange Act, Underwriters (and any
selling group members, if any) that are market makers ('passive market makers')
in the Common Stock may make bids for or purchases of the Common Stock in the
Nasdaq National Market until such time, if any, when a stabilizing bid for such
securities has been made. Rule 103 generally provides that (i) a passive market
maker's net daily purchases of Common Stock may not exceed 30% of its average
daily trading volume in such securities for the two full consecutive calendar
months (or any 60 consecutive days ending within the ten days) immediately
preceding the filing date of the registration statement of which this Prospectus
forms a part, (ii) a passive market maker may not effect transactions or display
bids for the Common Stock at a price that exceeds the highest independent bid
for the Common Stock by persons who are not passive market makers and (iii) bids
made by passive market makers must be identified as such.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company and the Selling Stockholder by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison,
New York, New York and for the Underwriters by Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, New
York, New York.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto of the
Company included elsewhere in this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with
respect thereto, and are included herein and in the Registration Statement in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the
Commission. Reports and other information filed by the Company may be inspected
and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at
Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the Commission's Regional Offices located at 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300,
New York, New York 10048 and 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago,
Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of such materials can be obtained upon written
request from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024,

Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates, and its public reference facilities in New York, New York and Chicago,
Illinois. The Commission maintains a Web site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants (such as the
Company) that file electronically with the Commission. The address of such site
is: http://www.sec.gov.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-1 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
'Registration Statement') under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract,
agreement or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each
instance reference is made to the copy of such contract, agreement or other
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference. For further information,
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement, which may be inspected
or copied at the addresses and Web site indicated above.
 
                                       59
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Public Accountants....................................................................   F-2
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended January 28, 1995,
  February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and the thirteen weeks ended
  May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and May 3, 1997 (unaudited).......................................................   F-3
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and as of
  May 3, 1997 (unaudited)...................................................................................   F-4
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
  January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997
  (unaudited)...............................................................................................   F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended January 28, 1995,
  February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 and the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and May 3, 1997
  (unaudited)...............................................................................................   F-6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................................................................   F-7
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To Stockholders and Board of Directors
  of Finlay Enterprises, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Finlay
Enterprises, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of February 3,
1996 and February 1, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the fifty-two
weeks ended January 28, 1995, the fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 1996 and
the fifty-two weeks ended February 1, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Finlay Enterprises, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for the fifty-two weeks ended January 28,
1995, the fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 1996 and the fifty-two weeks ended
February 1, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
New York, New York
March 18, 1997
 
                                      F-2
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
                                                YEAR ENDED                   THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                 -----------------------------------------   --------------------
                                 JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,    MAY 4,     MAY 3,
                                    1995           1996           1997         1996       1997
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
Sales.........................    $ 552,090      $ 654,491      $ 685,274    $130,719   $134,592
Cost of sales.................      261,263        314,029        330,300      64,038     65,722
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Gross margin................      290,827        340,462        354,974      66,681     68,870
Selling, general and
  administrative expenses.....      240,274        282,504        290,138      63,696     65,167
Depreciation and
  amortization................        8,910          9,659         10,840       2,638      2,753
Management transition and
  consulting expense..........        5,144         --             --           --         --
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Income (loss) from
    operations................       36,499         48,299         53,996         347        950
Proceeds from life
  insurance...................       --             (5,000)        --           --         --
Interest expense, net.........       28,488         29,705         31,204       7,284      7,699
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Income (loss) before income
    taxes.....................        8,011         23,594         22,792      (6,937)     (6,749)
Provision (credit) for income
  taxes.......................        5,280          9,343         11,035      (2,537)     (2,523)
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
  Net income (loss)...........        2,731         14,251         11,757      (4,400)     (4,226)
Dividends and amortization of
  discount on Preferred Stock
  and accretion on conversion
  of Preferred Stock..........        3,332         10,717         --           --         --
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
Net income (loss) applicable
  to common shares............    $    (601)     $   3,534      $  11,757    $ (4,400)  $  (4,226)
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
Net income (loss) per share
  applicable to common
  shares......................    $   (0.27)     $    0.53      $    1.55    $  (0.59)  $   (0.56)
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
Weighted average shares
  outstanding (a).............    2,260,892      6,639,727      7,569,529    7,474,478  7,492,792

                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
                                 -----------    -----------    -----------   ---------  ---------
------------------
(a) The weighted average shares outstanding for 1994 and 1995 are based on the
    number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding after reflecting the
    stock split discussed in Note 6 as if such split occurred on January 30,
    1994.
 
  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-3
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
                                                                            FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 3,
                                                                               1996           1997           1997
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
ASSETS
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents..............................................    $  26,014      $  20,846      $   2,762
  Accounts receivable -- department stores...............................       18,889         15,362         30,272
  Other receivables......................................................        2,860          4,350          8,841
  Merchandise inventories................................................      195,926        222,445        246,362
  Prepaid expenses and other.............................................        1,526          1,437          1,434
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
    Total current assets.................................................      245,215        264,440        289,671
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
Fixed assets
  Equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements.........................       65,206         73,223         76,404
  Less -- accumulated depreciation and amortization......................       22,735         21,423         23,319
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
    Fixed assets, net....................................................       42,471         51,800         53,085
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
Deferred charges and other assets........................................        9,012          9,770         10,359
Goodwill.................................................................       98,447         95,263         94,455
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
    Total assets.........................................................    $ 395,145      $ 421,273      $ 447,570
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
 
                                        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
  Notes payable..........................................................    $  --          $  --          $ 101,210
  Current portion of long-term debt......................................          206              2              9
  Accounts payable -- trade..............................................      125,817        133,252         76,634
  Accrued liabilities:
    Accrued salaries and benefits........................................       14,100         15,061         12,921
    Accrued miscellaneous taxes..........................................        4,160          4,148          4,495
    Accrued insurance....................................................        1,115            762            872
    Accrued interest.....................................................        3,703          3,833            452
    Accrued management transition and consulting.........................        2,418          1,787          1,513
    Other................................................................       16,093         15,124         11,471
  Income taxes payable...................................................       10,372         12,046          7,092
  Deferred income taxes..................................................          836            809            650
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total current liabilities.........................................      178,820        186,824        217,319
Long-term debt...........................................................      202,905        211,427        213,685
Other non-current liabilities............................................          636            517            512

                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total liabilities.................................................      382,361        398,768        431,516
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
Stockholders' equity
  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized
    25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 7,524,356,
    7,558,838 and 7,559,438 shares, respectively.........................           75             76             76
  Additional paid-in capital.............................................       47,459         47,725         47,732
  Distributions to investor group in excess of carryover basis...........      (24,390)       (24,390)       (24,390)
  Note receivable from stock sale........................................       (1,001)        (1,001)        (1,001)
  Retained earnings (deficit)............................................       (8,612)         3,145         (1,081)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment................................         (747)        (3,050)        (5,282)
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                                12,784         22,505         16,054
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity........................    $ 395,145      $ 421,273      $ 447,570
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                            -----------    -----------    -----------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-4
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
DISTRIBUTIONS
                                  COMMON STOCK                       TO            NOTE                FOREIGN
                                -----------------  ADDITIONAL  INVESTOR GROUP   RECEIVABLE  RETAINED   CURRENCY       TOTAL
                                 NUMBER             PAID-IN     IN EXCESS OF       FROM     EARNINGS  TRANSLATION STOCKHOLDERS'
                                OF SHARES  AMOUNT   CAPITAL    CARRYOVER BASIS  STOCK SALE  (DEFICIT) ADJUSTMENT     EQUITY
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
Balance, January 29, 1994...... 2,256,107   $ 23    $(20,887)     $ (24,390)     $ --       $(11,545)  $ --         $ (56,799)
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --          2,731     --             2,731
  Dividends on Series C
    Preferred Stock............    --       --        --            --             --         (3,332)    --            (3,332)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --          (334)         (334)
  Issuance of Common Stock
    in exchange for
    Note receivable............   138,525      1       1,650        --             (1,001)     --        --               650
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
Balance, January 28, 1995...... 2,394,632     24     (19,237)       (24,390)       (1,001)   (12,146)      (334)      (57,084)
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --         14,251     --            14,251
  Dividends on Series C
    Preferred Stock............    --       --        --            --             --           (717)    --              (717)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --          (413)         (413)
  Exercise of stock options....    47,940   --           444        --             --          --        --               444
  Issuance of Common Stock..... 2,500,000     25      30,133        --             --          --        --            30,158
  Conversion of Series C
    Preferred Stock to
    Common Stock............... 2,581,784     26      36,119        --             --        (10,000)    --            26,145
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
Balance, February 3, 1996...... 7,524,356     75      47,459        (24,390)       (1,001)    (8,612)      (747)       12,784
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --         11,757     --            11,757
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --        (2,303)       (2,303)
  Exercise of stock options....    34,482      1         266        --             --          --        --               267
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------

Balance, February 1, 1997...... 7,558,838     76      47,725        (24,390)       (1,001)     3,145     (3,050)       22,505
  Net income (loss)............    --       --        --            --             --         (4,226)    --            (4,226)
  Foreign currency translation
    adjustment.................    --       --        --            --             --          --        (2,232)       (2,232)
  Exercise of stock options....       600   --             7        --             --          --        --                 7
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
Balance, May 3, 1997
  (unaudited).................. 7,559,438   $ 76    $ 47,732      $ (24,390)     $ (1,001)  $ (1,081)  $ (5,282)    $  16,054
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
                                ---------  ------  ----------  ---------------  ----------  --------  ----------  -------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-5
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
                                                                                                              THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                                                            YEAR ENDED
                                                        --------------------------------------------------    ---------------------
                                                         JANUARY 28,       FEBRUARY 3,       FEBRUARY 1,       MAY 4,       MAY 3,
                                                             1995              1996              1997           1996         1997
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income (loss)..................................      $  2,731          $ 14,251          $ 11,757       $  (4,400)   $ (4,226)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
    cash provided from (used in) operating
    activities:
  Depreciation and amortization......................         9,935            10,764            12,067           2,938       3,061
  Imputed interest on debentures.....................         7,385             7,697             8,494           2,001       2,249
  Other, net.........................................        (1,184)           (1,534)           (1,105)           (423)       (354)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
    effects from purchase of Sonab (Note 12):
    (Increase) decrease in accounts and other
      receivables....................................        (3,642)           (9,856)            1,548         (15,048)    (19,772)
    Increase in merchandise inventories..............       (29,412)          (35,601)          (28,380)         (9,202)    (25,311)
    (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and
      other..........................................            57              (267)               72            (918)        (18)
    Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and
      accrued liabilities............................        41,327             9,783             8,645         (65,613)    (70,597)
    Decrease in deferred income taxes................        (2,376)             (539)              (27)         --           --
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
      NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) OPERATING
        ACTIVITIES...................................        24,821            (5,302)           13,071         (90,665)   (114,968)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold
    improvements.....................................       (11,228)          (14,933)          (17,533)         (3,602)     (3,375)
  Payment for purchase of Sonab, net of cash
    acquired.........................................          (276)          --                --               --           --
  Other, net.........................................          (858)           (1,582)             (621)            (34)       (547)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES............       (12,362)          (16,515)          (18,154)         (3,636)     (3,922)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Proceeds from revolving credit facility............       392,911           439,720           442,947         153,633     179,387
  Principal payments on revolving credit facility....      (392,911)         (439,720)         (442,947)        (81,821)    (78,177)
  Repayment of Sonab loans...........................        (9,418)          --                --               --           --
  Repurchase of debentures...........................       --                 (5,789)          --               --           --
  Net proceeds from initial public offering of common
    stock............................................       --                 30,158           --               --           --

  Other, net.........................................        (1,103)               75                61               7          14
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) FINANCING
      ACTIVITIES.....................................       (10,521)           24,444                61          71,819     101,224
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES
      ON CASH........................................            (5)             (221)             (146)            (41)       (418)
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
    INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
      EQUIVALENTS....................................         1,933             2,406            (5,168)        (22,523)    (18,084)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......        21,675            23,608            26,014          26,014      20,846
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD.............      $ 23,608          $ 26,014          $ 20,846       $   3,491    $  2,762
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
                                                        --------------    --------------    --------------    ---------    --------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
                                  statements.

                                      F-6
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
NOTE 1 -- ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
          RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS
 
     Finlay Enterprises, Inc. (the 'Company'), a Delaware corporation, conducts
business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation
and its wholly owned subsidiaries ('Finlay Jewelry'). References to 'Finlay'
mean collectively, the Company, Finlay Jewelry and all predecessor businesses.
Finlay is a retailer of fine jewelry products and primarily operates leased fine
jewelry departments in department stores throughout the United States and
France. Finlay also operates leased fine jewelry departments in the United
Kingdom and Germany. All references herein to leased departments refer to
departments operated pursuant to license agreements or other arrangements with
host department stores.
 
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     On April 6, 1995, the Company completed an initial public offering (the
'Initial Public Offering') of 2,500,000 shares of its common stock, par value
$.01 per share ('Common Stock'), at a price of $14.00 per share. An additional
115,000 shares were sold by non-management selling stockholders. Net proceeds
from the Initial Public Offering after deducting the underwriting discount of
$2,300,000 and expenses of approximately $2,500,000 incurred in connection with
the Initial Public Offering, were $30,200,000. The net proceeds were used to
repurchase $6,103,000 accreted balance of the Company's 12% Senior Discount
Debentures due 2005 (the 'Debentures') at a price equal to $5,789,000, or
approximately 95% of the accreted amount. The balance of the net proceeds were
used to reduce a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under Finlay's

$135,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility (the 'Revolving Credit Facility') with
General Electric Capital Corporation ('G.E. Capital'), which was accounted for
as a capital contribution to Finlay Jewelry. Refer to Note 13 for a discussion
of a subsequent amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
     Immediately prior to the completion of the Initial Public Offering, the
holders of the Company's 10% Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock ('Series C
Preferred Stock') exchanged all outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock
with the Company for 2,581,784 shares of Common Stock (the 'Series C Exchange').
For purposes of the Series C Exchange, the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock
was (i) valued at its liquidation value of $30,000,000 plus $6,145,000 of
accrued dividends through the date of completion of the Series C Exchange, paid
in kind at a quarterly rate of 2.5% and (ii) exchanged for Common Stock at the
initial public offering price of $14.00 per share.
 
     G.E. Capital agreed to reduce the interest rate on the Revolving Credit
Facility by 0.5% concurrent with the Initial Public Offering. The Company and
G.E. Capital amended the Revolving Credit Facility in March 1995 pursuant to
which the Company became a co-obligor with Finlay Jewelry under the Revolving
Credit Facility with respect to a portion of the borrowings thereunder.
 
THE 1993 RECAPITALIZATION
 
     In May 1993, an affiliate of Thomas H. Lee Company (together with its
affiliated transferees, the 'Lee Investors') and partnerships managed by Desai
Capital Management Incorporated (collectively, the 'Desai Investors'), acquired
36.8% and 24.5%, respectively, of the outstanding voting securities of the
Company in a series of transactions which recapitalized the Company (the
'Recapitalization Transactions'). Following the Recapitalization Transactions,
management maintained a substantial equity interest in the Company.
 
     The Recapitalization Transactions included an investment by the Lee
Investors (the 'Lee Investment') and the Desai Investors (the 'Desai
Investment') in units consisting of the Series C Preferred Stock and Common
Stock. Concurrently, certain other existing classes of preferred stock and all
outstanding warrants to purchase Common Stock were redeemed. These equity
related transactions
 
                                      F-7
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 1 -- ORGANIZATION OF THE COMPANY, INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING AND THE
          RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED)

resulted in the Lee Investors and the Desai Investors obtaining 52.6% beneficial
ownership of the outstanding Common Stock.
 
     The Recapitalization Transactions also included the public issuance by the
Company of units consisting of Debentures and Common Stock, the public issuance
by Finlay Jewelry of the 10 5/8 Senior Notes due 2003 (the 'Notes') and the

refinancing of the Company's outstanding term loans (the 'WCC Term Loans') and
revolving indebtedness (the 'WCC Revolving Credit Facility' and collectively
with the WCC Term Loans, the 'WCC Loans') with Westinghouse Credit Corporation
('WCC'). The WCC Revolving Credit Facility was replaced by the $110 million
Revolving Credit Facility with G.E. Capital. The Revolving Credit Facility was
amended at the time of the acquisition of Societe Nouvelle d'Achat de Bijouterie
-S.O.N.A.B. ('Sonab') in October 1994 to, among other things, increase the
amount available thereunder to $135 million. See Notes 4, 12 and 13.
 
ORGANIZATION AND THE 1988 LEVERAGED RECAPITALIZATION
 
     Finlay Jewelry was initially incorporated on August 2, 1985 as SL Holdings
Corporation ('SL Holdings'). The Company, a Delaware corporation incorporated on
November 22, 1988, was organized by certain officers and directors (the
'Investor Group') of SL Holdings to acquire certain operations of SL Holdings.
In connection with the reorganization ('1988 Leveraged Recapitalization'), which
resulted in the merger of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company into SL
Holdings, SL Holdings changed its name to Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation and
became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
 
     The 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization was accounted for as a purchase in the
accompanying financial statements. Accordingly, the excess of the purchase price
over the net assets of Finlay Jewelry has been assigned to goodwill. Since
certain members of the Investor Group beneficially owned shares of SL Holdings
before the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization and owned shares of the Company after
the 1988 Leveraged Recapitalization, the purchase method of accounting does not
apply to their ownership interest in SL Holdings. Accordingly, for accounting
purposes, stockholders' equity reflects the total shares of SL Holdings owned by
the Investor Group at their respective adjusted historical costs, reduced by the
consideration paid for the SL Holdings shares owned by the Investor Group. This
resulted in a reduction in stockholders' equity of $24,390,000 and is reflected
as Distributions to investor group in excess of carryover basis in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     BASIS OF ACCOUNTING AND PRESENTATION:  The accompanying Consolidated
Financial Statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which, for certain
financial statement accounts, requires the use of management's estimates. Actual
results may differ from these estimates.
 
     FISCAL YEAR:  The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to
January 31. References to 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 relate to the fiscal years
ended on January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997 and January 31,
1998. Each of the fiscal years includes 52 weeks except 1995, which includes 53
weeks.
 
     MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES:  Consolidated inventories are stated at the lower
of cost or market with cost for the domestic operations determined by the
last-in, first-out ('LIFO') method. Market represents estimated realizable value
after providing for a normal profit margin. The cost to Finlay of gold
merchandise sold on consignment, which typically varies with the price of gold,
is not fixed until the sale is reported to the vendor following the sale of the

merchandise. Finlay at times enters into futures
 
                                      F-8
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

contracts, such as options or forwards, based upon the anticipated sales of gold
product in order to hedge against the risk arising from those payment
arrangements. Changes in the market value of futures contracts are accounted for
as an addition to or reduction from the inventory cost. For the years ended
January 28, 1995, February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, and the thirteen weeks
ended May 4, 1996 (unaudited) and May 3, 1997 (unaudited), the gain/loss on open
futures contracts was not material. The Company did not have any open positions
in futures contracts for gold at February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997. In May
1997, the Company entered into a hedging arrangement whereby its exposure to the
fluctuation in the price of gold is limited for the balance of 1997 (unaudited).
 
     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:  Depreciation and amortization, except where
otherwise indicated, are computed by the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the fixed assets ranging from three to ten years.
 
     PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION:  The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Finlay Jewelry. All
significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
     SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS:  Costs incurred for the routine operation and
maintenance of management information systems are expensed as incurred. It is
the Company's policy to capitalize significant amounts relating to software
purchased from third party software vendors as well as external consulting costs
incurred in the development and improvement of new management information
systems.
 
     INTANGIBLE ASSETS ARISING FROM ACQUISITION:  The excess purchase price paid
over the fair market value of net assets acquired ('Goodwill') was recorded in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board ('APB') Opinion No. 16, 'Accounting
for Business Combinations,' and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
40 years. The Company continually evaluates the carrying value and the economic
useful life of Goodwill based on the Company's operating results and the
expected future net cash flows and will adjust the carrying value and the
related amortization period, if and when appropriate. Amortization of Goodwill
for 1994, 1995 and 1996 totaled $2,963,000, $3,149,000 and $3,143,000,
respectively. Accumulated amortization of Goodwill at February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997 totaled $21,408,000 and $24,551,000, respectively.
 
     FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION:  Results of operations for Finlay Jewelry's
foreign subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange
rates during the period, while assets and liabilities are translated using
current rates at the applicable balance sheet date in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards ('SFAS') No. 52, 'Foreign Currency

Translation.' The resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly into a
separate component of Stockholders' equity. Transaction gains and losses are
reported in net income and were not significant in any period reported.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:  Net income (loss) per share was computed
based on the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock and common
equivalent shares outstanding. Common stock equivalents include options to
purchase Common Stock. When dilutive, stock options are included as common
equivalent shares using the treasury stock method in accordance with APB Opinion
No. 15, 'Earnings per Share.' All share and per share amounts in the
Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the Reverse Stock Split (as defined in
Note 6) in conjunction with the Initial Public Offering.
 
     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
128, 'Earnings per Share.' Under SFAS No. 128, the presentation of both basic
and diluted earnings per share is required on the statements of operations for
periods ending after December 15, 1997, at which time restatement
 
                                      F-9
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

for prior periods will be necessary. Had the provisions of SFAS No. 128 been in
effect as of February 1, 1997 and during 1997, the Company would have reported
basic net income (loss) per share of $(0.27), $0.55 and $1.59 for 1994, 1995 and
1996, respectively, and $(0.59) (unaudited) and $(0.57) (unaudited) for the
thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997, respectively. Under SFAS No.
128, diluted net income (loss) per share is equal to the net income (loss) per
share currently disclosed by the Company.
 
     NET INCOME (LOSS) APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES:  The Company has reflected
in Net income (loss) applicable to common shares, dividends and accretion on
conversion of Preferred Stock for each period presented, as appropriate.
 
     DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS:  Debt issuance costs of $8,527,000 arising principally
from the Recapitalization Transactions are being amortized using the straight
line method over the terms of the related debt agreements. These debt issuance
costs totaled approximately $5,600,000 at February 3, 1996 and $4,600,000 at
February 1, 1997. The debt issuance costs are reflected as a component of
Deferred charges and other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets. Amortization of debt issuance costs for 1994, 1995 and 1996 totaled
$1,018,000, $1,037,000 and $1,056,000, respectively, and have been recorded as a
component of Interest expense, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements
of Operations. Amortization of debt issuance costs for the thirteen weeks ended
May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 totaled $300,000 (unaudited) for each period.
 
     COST OF SALES:  Cost of sales includes the cost of merchandise sold, repair
expense, shipping, shrinkage and inventory losses. Buying and occupancy costs
such as lease and rental fees are not included in Cost of sales and are

reflected in Selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated
Statements of Operations.
 
     STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:  The Company considers cash on hand, deposits in
banks and deposits in money market funds as cash and cash equivalents. Interest
paid during 1994, 1995 and 1996 was $20,071,000, $21,027,000 and $21,480,000,
respectively. Interest paid during the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May
3, 1997 was $8,537,000 (unaudited) and $8,531,000 (unaudited), respectively.
Income taxes paid in 1994, 1995 and 1996 totaled $6,567,000, $9,372,000 and
$9,368,000, respectively. Income taxes paid for the thirteen weeks ended May 4,
1996 and May 3, 1997 totaled $4,833,000 (unaudited) and $4,613,000 (unaudited),
respectively. Refer to Note 12 for a discussion of the Sonab acquisition.
 
     FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:  Cash, accounts receivable, short-term
borrowings, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reflected in the
financial statements at fair value because of the short-term maturity of these
instruments. Marketable securities are recorded in the financial statements at
current market values, which approximates cost. The fair values of the Company's
debt and off-balance sheet financial instruments are disclosed in Note 4.
 
     STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:  Stock-based compensation is recognized using the
intrinsic value method. For disclosure purposes, pro forma net income and
earnings per share are provided as if the fair value method had been applied.
 
     ACCOUNTING FOR THE IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS:  SFAS No. 121,
'Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
be Disposed Of,' requires long-lived assets as well as identifiable intangibles
be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Upon adoption of this
Statement in 1996 and to date, there was no impact on the Company's financial
position or results of operations.
 
                                      F-10
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 2 -- SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

     SEASONALITY:  A significant portion of Finlay's revenues are generated in
the fourth quarter due to the seasonality of the retail industry. As such,
results for interim periods are not indicative of annual results. Refer to Note
11 for unaudited quarterly financial data.
 
     UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  The unaudited consolidated financial
statements for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial information. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated
financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the
financial position of the Company as of May 3, 1997, and the results of
operations and cash flows for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3,
1997. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a

basis consistent with that of the audited consolidated financial statements as
of February 1, 1997. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
NOTE 3 -- MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES
 
     Merchandise inventories consisted of the following:
(UNAUDITED)
                                                        FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 3,
                                                           1996           1997           1997
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
Jewelry goods -- rings, watches and other fine
  jewelry (specific identification basis)............    $ 202,860      $ 231,298      $ 255,406
Excess of specific identification cost over LIFO
  inventory value....................................        6,934          8,853          9,044
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                         $ 195,926      $ 222,445      $ 246,362
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
The LIFO method had the effect of decreasing Income (loss) before income
taxes in 1994, 1995 and 1996 by $845,000, $943,000 and $1,919,000, respectively.
For the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 the LIFO method had the
effect of decreasing Income (loss) before income taxes by $191,000 (unaudited)
for each period. Finlay determines its LIFO inventory value by utilizing
selected producer price indices published for jewelry and watches by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. Due to the application of APB Opinion No. 16, inventory
valued at LIFO for income tax reporting purposes is approximately $22,000,000
lower than that for financial reporting purposes at February 1, 1997.
 
     Approximately $199,079,000 and $194,276,000 at February 3, 1996 and
February 1, 1997, respectively, and $220,154,000 (unaudited) at May 3, 1997 of
merchandise received on consignment has been excluded from Merchandise
inventories and Accounts payable-trade in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets.
 
     In August 1995, Finlay Jewelry entered into a gold consignment agreement
(the 'Gold Consignment Agreement') with Rhode Island Hospital Trust National
Bank ('RIHT'), which expires on February 28, 1998. The Gold Consignment
Agreement enables Finlay Jewelry to receive merchandise by providing gold, or
otherwise making payment, to certain vendors who currently supply Finlay with
merchandise on consignment. While the merchandise involved remains consigned,
the consignor and title to the gold content of the merchandise changes from the
vendors to RIHT. As a result, such vendors have reduced their working capital
requirements and associated financing costs. Consequently, Finlay has negotiated
more favorable prices and terms with the participating vendors.

 
                                      F-11
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 3 -- MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES (CONTINUED)

     Finlay Jewelry can obtain, pursuant to the Gold Consignment Agreement, up
to the lesser of (i) 85,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $25 million worth of gold,
subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. At
February 3, 1996, February 1, 1997 and May 3, 1997, amounts outstanding under
the Gold Consignment Agreement totaled 22,090, 36,916 and 39,596 fine troy
ounces (unaudited), respectively, valued at approximately $9.0 million, $12.8
million and $13.5 million (unaudited), respectively. The purchase price per
ounce is based on the daily Second London Gold Fixing. For financial statement
purposes, the consigned gold is not included in Merchandise inventories on the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet and, therefore, no related liability has
been recorded. RIHT charges Finlay a daily consignment fee on the dollar
equivalent value of ounces outstanding, a floating rate which, as of May 3,
1997, was approximately 3.85% per annum (unaudited). In addition, Finlay is
required to pay an unused line fee of 0.5% if the amount of gold consigned has a
value equal to or below $10 million. Included in interest expense for the years
ended February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997 are consignment fees of $189,000 and
$638,000, respectively. For the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3,
1997, consignment fees included in interest expense totaled $118,000 (unaudited)
and $155,000 (unaudited), respectively.
 
     In conjunction with the Gold Consignment Agreement, Finlay Jewelry granted
RIHT, subject to the terms of an intercreditor agreement between RIHT and G.E.
Capital, a first priority perfected lien on, and a security interest in,
specified gold jewelry of participating vendors approved under the Gold
Consignment Agreement and a lien on proceeds and products of such jewelry and
cash deposits.
 
     The Gold Consignment Agreement requires Finlay Jewelry to comply with
certain covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of certain
indebtedness, the incurrence or creation of liens, engaging in certain
transactions with affiliates and related parties and limitations on the payment
of dividends. The Gold Consignment Agreement also contains various financial
covenants, including fixed charge coverage ratio requirements and certain
maximum debt limitations. Finlay Jewelry was in compliance with all of its
financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997 and as of and
for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (unaudited).
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     The Company and Finlay Jewelry are parties to a credit agreement with G.E.
Capital which provides Finlay with a senior secured revolving line of credit of
up to $135 million, a portion of which is available to the Company under certain
circumstances. The Revolving Credit Facility provides Finlay with a facility
maturing on May 26, 1998, for borrowings based on an advance rate of (i) up to

85% of eligible domestic accounts receivable and (ii) up to 60% of eligible
domestic owned inventory after taking into account such reserves or offsets as
G.E. Capital may deem appropriate (the 'Borrowing Base'). Eligibility criteria
are established by G.E. Capital, which retains the right to adjust the Borrowing
Base in its reasonable judgement by revising standards of eligibility,
establishing reserves and/or increasing or decreasing from time to time the
advance rates. Finlay Jewelry is permitted to use up to $20 million of the
Revolving Credit Facility for the guarantee by G.E. Capital of letters of credit
issued for the account of Finlay Jewelry by banks acceptable to G.E. Capital.
The outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility is required to be
reduced each year to $10 million for a 20 consecutive day period, and
immediately thereafter to zero for an additional 10 consecutive days (the
'Balance Reduction Requirement'). Funds available under the Revolving Credit
Facility are utilized for working capital purposes.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at a rate equal to, at
Finlay's option, (i) the Index Rate (as defined) plus 1.0% or (ii) for one or
more portions of the Revolving Credit Facility of $1.0 million or any greater
integral multiple thereof, reserve adjusted LIBOR plus 2.0%. 'Index Rate' is
defined as the higher of (i) the highest daily prime or base rate publicly
announced by any of the four largest member
 
                                      F-12
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

banks of the New York Clearing House Association and (ii) the latest rate of
dealer ninety-day commercial paper as is customarily published in the 'Money
Rates' section of The Wall Street Journal. Upon the occurrence (and during the
continuance) of an event of default under the Revolving Credit Facility,
interest would accrue at a rate which is 2% in excess of the rate otherwise
applicable, and would be payable upon demand.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a first priority perfected
security interest in all of Finlay Jewelry's (and any subsidiary's) present and
future tangible and intangible assets, excluding any of the Company's lease
agreements which are not assignable without the lessor's consent.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including
limitations on capital expenditures, limitations on borrowing transactions
between Finlay and its officers, directors, employees and affiliates and
limitations on payments of dividends. In addition, G.E. Capital has the right to
approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) certain private sales of
Common Stock. The Revolving Credit Facility also contains various financial
covenants, including minimum earnings and fixed charge coverage ratio
requirements and certain maximum debt limitations. Finlay was in compliance with
all of its financial covenants as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997 and
as of and for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (unaudited).
 

     The Revolving Credit Facility provides for an annual agency fee of $275,000
payable to G.E. Capital. Furthermore, a letter of credit fee of 2.25% per annum
of the face amount of letters of credit guaranteed under the Revolving Credit
Facility and an unused facility fee equal to 0.5% per annum on the average
unused daily balance of the Revolving Credit Facility is payable monthly in
arrears.
 
     There were no amounts outstanding at February 3, 1996 or February 1, 1997
under the Revolving Credit Facility. There was $101,210,000 (unaudited)
outstanding at May 3, 1997, respectively, which is reflected in the Consolidated
Financial Statements as Notes Payable. The maximum amounts outstanding under the
Revolving Credit Facility during 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the thirteen weeks
ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 were $108,800,000, $99,100,000, $114,100,000,
$71,812,000 (unaudited) and $107,962,000 (unaudited), respectively. The average
amounts outstanding for the same periods were $69,300,000, $68,400,000,
$75,400,000, $56,000,000 (unaudited) and $80,700,000 (unaudited), respectively.
The weighted average interest rates (calculated based on actual interest expense
divided by the average amount outstanding during the period) were 7.6%, 8.9%,
8.0%, 8.2% (unaudited) and 8.0% (unaudited) for 1994, 1995, 1996 and the
thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997, respectively.
 
     At February 3, 1996 and February 1, 1997, Finlay had letters of credit
outstanding totaling $11.0 million and $11.1 million, respectively, which
guarantee various trade activities. At May 3, 1997 the outstanding letters of
credit totaled $5.8 million (unaudited). The contract amount of the letters of
credit approximate their fair value.
 
     Refer to Note 13 for a discussion of a subsequent amendment to the
Revolving Credit Facility.
 
                                      F-13
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

     Long-term debt consisted of the following:
(UNAUDITED)
                                                        FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 3,
                                                           1996           1997           1997
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
Senior Notes (a).....................................    $ 135,000      $ 135,000      $ 135,000
Debentures (b).......................................       67,903         76,427         78,685
Other................................................          208              2              9
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                           203,111        211,429        213,694

Less current portion.................................          206              2              9
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                         $ 202,905      $ 211,427      $ 213,685
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                        -----------    -----------    -----------
(a) On May 26, 1993, as part of Finlay's recapitalization, Finlay Jewelry issued
    10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 with an aggregate principal amount of
    $135,000,000. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1 and
    November 1 of each year, and commenced on November 1, 1993. Except in the
    case of certain equity offerings, the Notes are not redeemable prior to May
    1, 1998. Thereafter, the Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at
    the option of Finlay, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid
    interest, if any, to the date of the redemption. In the event of a Change of
    Control (as defined in the indenture with respect to the Notes (the 'Note
    Indenture')), each holder of the Notes will have the right to require Finlay
    Jewelry to repurchase its Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
    principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the
    repurchase date. The Notes rank senior in right of payment to all
    subordinated indebtedness of Finlay and pari passu in right of payment with
    all senior borrowings, including borrowings under the Revolving Credit
    Facility. However, because the Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a
    pledge of substantially all the assets of Finlay Jewelry, the Notes are
    structurally subordinated to the borrowings under the Revolving Credit
    Facility. The Note Indenture contains restrictions relating to, among other
    things, the payment of dividends, the repurchase of stock and the making of
    certain other restricted payments, the incurrence of additional
    indebtedness, the creation of certain liens, certain asset sales
    transactions with subsidiaries and other affiliates and mergers and
    consolidations.
 
    The fair value of the Notes at February 1, 1997, determined based on market
    quotes, was $142,425,000.
 
(b) On May 26, 1993, as part of Finlay's recapitalization, the Company sold, for
    $55,167,140, an aggregate of 98,000 units consisting of $98,000,000 12%
    Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 and 130,667 shares of Common Stock.
    Based on a fair market value of $7.23 per share on May 26, 1993, $944,067
    was allocated to Common Stock with a resulting discount to the Debentures.
    Commencing May 1, 1998, interest will accrue until maturity. Interest on the
    Debentures is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year,
    commencing November 1, 1998. Except in the case of certain equity offerings,
    the Debentures are not redeemable prior to May 1, 1998. In the event of a
    Change of Control (as defined in the indenture with respect to the
    Debentures (the 'Debenture Indenture')), each holder of the Debentures will
    have the right to require the Company to repurchase its Debentures at a
    purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
    and unpaid interest thereon to the repurchase date. Thereafter, the
    Debentures will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the
    Company, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
    any, to the date of redemption. The Debentures rank pari passu in right of
    payment to all senior indebtedness of the Company and senior in right of
    payment to all subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Debentures are

    secured by a first priority lien on
 
                                      F-14
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 4 -- SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

    and security interest in all of the issued and outstanding stock and
    intercompany indebtedness, if any, of Finlay Jewelry. However, the
    operations of the Company are conducted through Finlay Jewelry and,
    therefore, the Company is dependent upon the cash flow of Finlay Jewelry to
    meet its obligations, including its obligations under the Debentures. As a
    result, the Debentures are effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and
    all other obligations of Finlay Jewelry. The Debenture Indenture contains
    restrictions relating to, among other things, the payment of dividends, the
    repurchase of stock and the making of certain other restricted payments, the
    incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of certain liens,
    certain asset sales transactions with subsidiaries and other affiliates and
    mergers and consolidations. The amount of imputed interest recorded in 1994,
    1995, 1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997 was
    $7,385,000, $7,697,000, $8,494,000, $2,001,000 (unaudited) and $2,249,000
    (unaudited), respectively.
 
    A portion of the proceeds from the Initial Public Offering were used to
    repurchase $6,103,000 accreted balance of the Debentures at a price equal to
    $5,789,000, or approximately 95% of the accreted amount.
 
    The fair value of the Debentures, determined based on market quotes, was
    $80,364,000 at February 1, 1997.
 
    Finlay was in compliance with all of the provisions of the Note and
    Debenture Indentures as of and for the year ended February 1, 1997 and as of
    and for the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (unaudited).
 
     The aggregate amounts of long-term debt payable in each of the five years
in the period ending February 2, 2002 and thereafter are as follows:
(IN THOUSANDS)
                                                             --------------
1997......................................................      $      2
1998......................................................       --
1999......................................................       --
2000......................................................       --
2001......................................................       --
Thereafter................................................       211,427
                                                             --------------
                                                                $211,429

                                                             --------------
                                                             --------------
Interest expense for 1994, 1995, 1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996
and May 3, 1997 was $28,514,000, $29,859,000, $31,301,000, $7,302,000
(unaudited) and $7,707,000 (unaudited), respectively. Interest income for the
same periods was $26,000, $154,000, $97,000, $18,000 (unaudited) and $8,000
(unaudited), respectively.
 
NOTE 5 -- SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK
 
     Concurrently with the consummation of the Recapitalization Transactions,
the Company and Finlay Jewelry entered into a stock purchase agreement (the
'1993 Stock Purchase Agreement') with the Lee/Desai Investors, pursuant to which
the Lee/Desai Investors purchased from the Company the Lee/Desai Units
consisting of an aggregate of 1,384,259 shares of Common Stock of the Company
and 300,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock. The Common Stock issued to the
Lee/Desai Investors as part of the Lee/Desai Units constituted 52.6% of the
outstanding Common Stock of the Company on a fully diluted basis. The aggregate
purchase price for the Lee/Desai Units, payable to the Company in cash at the
closing, was $30 million, of which $10 million was allocated to the Common Stock
of the
 
                                      F-15
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 5 -- SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK (CONTINUED)

Company and $20 million was allocated to the Series C Preferred Stock.
Immediately prior to the Initial Public Offering, as a result of the Series C
Exchange, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock exchanged all outstanding
shares of Series C Preferred Stock for shares of Common Stock. In conjunction
with the Series C Exchange, a $10,000,000 nonrecurring noncash charge
representing the difference between the liquidation value and the carrying value
of the Series C Preferred Stock was recorded, decreasing Net income (loss)
applicable to common shares in 1995. See Note 1. Dividends accrued in 1994 and
1995 totaled $3,332,000 and $717,000, respectively.
 
NOTE 6 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
     The Company's Long Term Incentive Plan (the '1993 Plan') permits the
Company to grant to key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries,
consultants and certain other persons, and directors of the Company (other than
members of the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors), the
following: (i) stock options; (ii) stock appreciation rights in tandem with
stock options; (iii) limited stock appreciation rights in tandem with stock
options; (iv) restricted or nonrestricted stock awards subject to such terms and
conditions as the Compensation Committee shall determine; (v) performance units
which are based upon attainment of performance goals during a period of not less

than two nor more than five years and which may be settled in cash or in Common
Stock in the discretion of the Compensation Committee; or (vi) any combination
of the foregoing. Under the 1993 Plan, the Company may grant stock options which
are either incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the 'Code'), or non-incentive stock
options. As of February 1, 1997, an aggregate of 663,486 shares of Common Stock
of the Company has been reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1993 Plan.
 
     The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123,
'Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,' which became effective in 1996. As
permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to account for
stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no
compensation expense has been recognized for its stock-based compensation plans.
Had the fair value method of accounting been applied to the Company's stock
option plans, which requires recognition of compensation cost ratably over the
vesting period of the stock options, net income would have been reduced by
$228,000, or $0.03 per share, in 1995 and $219,000, or $0.03 per share, in 1996.
This pro forma impact only reflects options granted since the beginning of 1995
and therefore the resulting compensation cost may not be representative of that
to be expected in future years.
 
     The fair value of options granted in 1995 and 1996 was estimated using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the weighted average market price at
the grant date of $13.67 in 1995 and $13.56 in 1996 and the following weighted
average assumptions: risk free interest rate of 6.89% and 6.67% for 1995 and
1996, respectively, expected life of seven years for 1995 and 1996 and
volatility of 35.10% for 1995 and 1996. The weighted average fair value of
options granted in 1995 and 1996 was $7.02 and $6.88, respectively.
 
                                      F-16
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 6 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)

     The following summarizes the transactions pursuant to the 1993 Plan for
1994, 1995 and 1996:
1994                      1995                      1996
                                         ----------------------    ----------------------    ----------------------
                                         NUMBER OF    WTD. AVG.    NUMBER OF    WTD. AVG.    NUMBER OF    WTD. AVG.
                                          OPTIONS     EX. PRICE     OPTIONS     EX. PRICE     OPTIONS     EX. PRICE
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Outstanding at beginning of year......    365,323      $  7.87      396,821      $  9.11      545,834      $ 11.61
  Granted.............................     72,262        14.29      264,505        13.67       21,333        13.56
  Exercised...........................      --           --         (41,284)        7.23      (27,826)        7.23
  Forfeited...........................    (40,764)        7.23      (74,208)        8.00      (15,574)       11.45
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

Outstanding at end of year............    396,821         9.11      545,834        11.61      523,767        11.93
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Exercisable at end of year............     57,439      $  8.04      113,970      $  9.73      207,122      $ 10.94
The options outstanding at February 1, 1997 have exercise prices between
$7.23 and $18.06, with a weighted average exercise price of $11.93 and a
weighted average remaining contractual life of 7.61 years. Options generally
vest in five years and expire in ten years from date of grant.
 
     On March 5, 1997, a senior officer of the Company received options under
the 1993 Plan to purchase an aggregate of 139,719 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $14.00 per share. Such options vest and become exercisable on
January 2, 2001.
 
     On March 6, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 1997
Long Term Incentive Plan ('1997 Plan'). The 1997 Plan, which is similar to the
1993 Plan, is intended as a successor to the 1993 Plan and provides for the
grant of the same types of awards as were available under the 1993 Plan. The
1997 Plan provides, however, that no participant thereunder may be granted,
during any fiscal year, options or other awards relating to more than 175,000
shares of Common Stock. An aggregate of 350,000 shares of the Company's Common
Stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to the 1997 Plan, of which a
total of 315,148 shares are subject to options granted to certain senior
management, key employees and a director. The exercise price of such options
range from $13.875 per share to $14.875 per share.
 
     Upon the commencement of his employment, a senior officer of the Company
purchased 138,525 shares of Common Stock (the 'Purchased Shares'), at a price of
$7.23 per share. The aggregate purchase price of these shares was paid in the
form of a note issued to the Company in the amount of $1,001,538. The note is
secured by the Purchased Shares and certain proceeds from sale of the Purchased
Shares or any distribution paid on or with respect to the Purchased Shares.
Interest accrues on the unpaid balance of the note at a rate equal to 7.92% per
annum, compounded annually. In the event of termination of employment, the
Purchased Shares (together with vested options and shares issued upon exercise
of vested options ('Option Shares')) are subject to certain call rights and the
Option Shares are additionally subject to certain put rights. In the event the
Company does not exercise its call rights, the rights may be exercised by the
Lee Investors and the Desai Investors, pro rata based on their respective
ownership of Common Stock. The Purchased Shares and Option Shares are subject to
certain restrictions on transfer. As a result of the terms of the note, the
amount of the note is reflected as a reduction to equity and is reflected in the
Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as Note receivable from stock sale. The
Company recorded $650,000 of compensation expense in 1994 representing the
excess of the fair market value over the purchase price of these shares.
 
     In connection with and prior to the Initial Public Offering and the related
transactions, the Board of Directors and the shareholders of the Company
approved a change in the Company's capital stock to authorize 25,000,000 shares
of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. On March 7, 1995, the Company
effected a two-for-three stock combination of its issued and outstanding Common
Stock (the

 
                                      F-17
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 6 -- STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CONTINUED)

'Reverse Stock Split'). Stockholders' equity has been retroactively restated to
reflect the impact of the Reverse Stock Split.
 
NOTE 7 -- LEASE AGREEMENTS
 
     Finlay conducts substantially all of its operations as leased departments
in department stores. All of these leases, as well as rentals for office space
and equipment, are accounted for as operating leases. A substantial number of
such operating leases expire on various dates through 2008.
 
     Substantially all of the department store leases provide that the title to
certain fixed assets of Finlay transfers upon termination of the leases, and
that Finlay will receive the undepreciated value of such fixed assets from the
host store in the event such transfers occur. The values of such fixed assets
are recorded at the inception of the lease arrangement and are reflected in the
accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
     In many cases, Finlay is subject to limitations under its lease agreements
with host department stores which prohibit Finlay from operating departments for
other store groups within a certain geographical radius of the host store.
 
     The store leases provide for the payment of fees based on sales, plus, in
some instances, installment payments for fixed assets. Lease expense, included
in Selling, general and administrative expenses, is as follows (in thousands):
(UNAUDITED)
                                                     YEAR ENDED                       THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
                                      -----------------------------------------    --------------------------
                                      JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,      MAY 4,         MAY 3,
                                         1995           1996           1997           1996           1997
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
Minimum fees.......................     $ 8,606       $  10,555      $   6,188       $ 1,172        $ 1,842
Contingent fees....................      80,211          94,679        103,319        19,634         19,891
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
     Total.........................     $88,817       $ 105,234      $ 109,507       $20,806        $21,733
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
                                      -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------    -----------
Future minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases having
initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year are as

follows as of February 1, 1997:
(IN THOUSANDS)
                                                             --------------
1997......................................................      $  9,732
1998......................................................         3,876
1999......................................................         3,368
2000......................................................         2,978
2001......................................................         2,417
Thereafter................................................        13,089
                                                             --------------
     Total minimum payments required......................      $ 35,460
                                                             --------------
                                                             --------------
Minimum payments shown above have not been reduced by minimum sublease payments
of $260,000 due in the future under noncancellable subleases.
 
NOTE 8 -- PENSION PLANS
 
     Finlay maintains a defined contribution profit-sharing plan to provide
retirement benefits for all personnel. This plan provides for company matching
contributions of $.25 for each $1.00 of employee contribution, up to 5% of the
employee's salary, as limited by the Code. Additionally, Finlay contributes
 
                                      F-18
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 8 -- PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED)

2% of the employees' earnings annually, as limited by the Code. Vesting in
Finlay's contributions begins upon completion of three years of employment and
accrues at the rate of 20% per year.
 
     Finlay also provides fixed retirement benefits for certain former employees
not covered by existing pension plans. The estimated liability for such benefits
has been accrued for in these financial statements and is reflected as
components of Other accrued liabilities and Other non-current liabilities.
 
     The cost of the defined contribution plan maintained by Finlay and the
retirement benefits for certain former employees aggregated $1,603,000,
$1,728,000, $1,753,000, $403,000 (unaudited) and $419,000 (unaudited) for 1994,
1995, 1996 and for the thirteen weeks ended May 4, 1996 and May 3, 1997,
respectively.
 
NOTE 9 -- INCOME TAXES

 
     For income tax reporting purposes, the Company has an October 31 year end.
The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its wholly owned
subsidiary, Finlay Jewelry and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
 
     Deferred income taxes at year end reflect the impact of temporary
differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax
reporting purposes.
 
                                      F-19
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 9 -- INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

     Temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to a significant
portion of deferred tax assets and liabilities at year end are as follows:
YEAR ENDED
                                                                                          --------------------------
                                                                                          FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,
                                                                                             1996           1997
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                                (IN THOUSANDS)
Deferred Tax Assets
  Uniform inventory capitalization.....................................................     $ 3,154        $ 3,462
  Expenses not currently deductible....................................................       4,398          4,074
  ITC carryover........................................................................       1,100          1,100
  AMT credit...........................................................................         566            566
  Deferred financing costs-current.....................................................         200            203
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                              9,418          9,405
  Valuation allowance..................................................................       1,200          1,200
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total current...................................................................       8,218          8,205
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
  Imputed interest on Debentures.......................................................       6,433          9,407
  Deferred financing costs-non-current.................................................         606            371
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total non-current...............................................................       7,039          9,778
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
          Total deferred tax assets....................................................      15,257         17,983
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
Deferred Tax Liabilities
  LIFO inventory valuation.............................................................       9,054          9,014
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total current...................................................................       9,054          9,014
                                                                                          -----------    -----------

  Depreciation.........................................................................       6,050          7,029
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Total non-current...............................................................       6,050          7,029
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
          Total deferred tax liabilities...............................................      15,104         16,043
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
            Net deferred income tax assets.............................................     $   153        $ 1,940
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
       Net current deferred income tax liabilities.....................................     $  (836)       $  (809)
       Net non-current deferred income tax assets......................................         989          2,749
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
          Net deferred income tax assets...............................................     $   153        $ 1,940
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
                                                                                          -----------    -----------
The components of income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
YEAR ENDED
                                                       -----------------------------------------
                                                       JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,
                                                          1995           1996           1997
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
Current domestic taxes..............................     $ 9,009        $10,174        $11,777
Current foreign taxes...............................         449          1,238          1,045
Deferred taxes......................................      (4,178)        (2,069)        (1,787)
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
Income tax expense..................................     $ 5,280        $ 9,343        $11,035
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                       -----------    -----------    -----------
F-20
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 9 -- INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

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

                                                                 JANUARY 28,    FEBRUARY 3,    FEBRUARY 1,
                                                                    1995           1996           1997
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
Federal statutory provision...................................     $ 2,804        $ 8,258        $ 7,977
Foreign taxes.................................................         449          1,238          1,045
State tax, net of federal benefit.............................       1,232          1,688          1,857
Non-deductible amortization...................................       1,037          1,037          1,037
Life insurance proceeds.......................................      --             (1,750)        --
Benefit of foreign tax credit.................................        (449)        (1,238)        (1,045)
Other.........................................................         207            110            164
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
Provision for income taxes....................................     $ 5,280        $ 9,343        $11,035
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                                 -----------    -----------    -----------
Section 382 of the Code restricts utilization of net operating loss
carryforwards ('NOLs') after an ownership change exceeding 50%. Such utilization
is generally restricted to an annual limit computed by applying the federal
long-term tax exempt rate to the fair market value of the stock of the company
immediately prior to the time of the ownership change. As a result of the
Recapitalization Transactions, a change in ownership of the Company exceeding
50% occurred within the meaning of Section 382 of the Code (a 'Change of
Control'). Similar restrictions will apply to other carryforwards. Consequently,
there is a material limitation on the annual utilization of the Company's net
operating loss and other carryforwards which requires a deferral or loss of the
utilization of such carryforwards. The IRS permits taxpayers who obtain a
private letter ruling to close their books at the change of ownership date and
to offset pre-Change of Control income by the NOL available to that year,
regardless of the annual limitation. The Company has received such a ruling and,
as a result, at October 31, 1996, has a NOL carryforward for tax purposes of
$14,000,000 which is subject to an annual limit of approximately $2,000,000 per
year, of which $10,000,000 expires in 2004 and $4,000,000 expires in 2005. At
October 31, 1996, the Company had investment tax credit ('ITC') carryovers of
approximately $1,100,000, of which $150,000 expires in 1997, $649,000 in 1998,
$264,000 in 1999 and $37,000 in 2000. At October 31, 1996, the Company also had
alternative minimum tax credit ('AMT') carryovers of $566,000 which may be used
indefinitely to reduce federal income taxes.
 
     SFAS No. 109, 'Accounting for Income Taxes,' requires that the tax benefit
of such NOLs and tax credits be recorded as an asset to the extent that
management assesses the utilization to be 'more likely than not.' As the
accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include profits earned after the
tax year end at October 31, (the profit of the Christmas selling season), for
financial reporting purposes only, the NOL carryforward has been absorbed in
full and no NOL carryforward exists as of February 1, 1997. Management
determined at February 1, 1997, that based upon the Company's history of
operating earnings and its expectations for the future, no change to the
valuation allowance is warranted.
 
NOTE 10 -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company, from time to time, is involved in litigation concerning its

business affairs. Management believes that the resolution of all pending
litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the financial statements.
 
     The Company has employment agreements with two senior members of management
which provide for minimum salary levels as well as incentive compensation based
on meeting specific
 
                                      F-21
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 10 -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

financial goals. Such agreements have remaining terms of one year and have a
remaining aggregate minimum value of approximately $1,400,000 as of February 1,
1997.
 
     The Revolving Credit Facility with G.E. Capital, the Gold Consignment
Agreement with RIHT and the Note Indenture restrict distributions from Finlay
Jewelry to the Company to 0.25% of Finlay Jewelry's net sales for the preceding
fiscal year. During 1996, dividends of $1,636,000 were declared and $818,000 was
distributed to the Company. During 1995, dividends of $1,380,000 were declared
and $1,810,000 was distributed to the Company. During 1994, dividends of
$984,000 were declared and $738,000 was distributed to the Company. For the
thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997, dividends of $428,000 (unaudited) were
declared.
 
     The Company's concentration of credit risk consists principally of accounts
receivable. Approximately 70%, 71% and 75% of Finlay's domestic sales in 1994,
1995, and 1996, respectively, were from operations in two major department store
groups of which 49%, 48% and 51% represents Finlay's domestic sales from one
department store group in the respective years. The Company believes that the
risk associated with these receivables, other than those from department store
groups indicated above, would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
     The Company is committed to expend a total of approximately $17,500,000 for
the completion of a 106,200 square foot distribution and warehouse facility in
Orange, Connecticut, of which approximately $6,000,000 has been disbursed during
1996. Expenditures included the purchase of machinery and equipment,
construction costs and the purchase and installation of computer systems.
 
                                      F-22
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 11 -- QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 

     The following table summarizes the quarterly financial data for 1994, 1995,
1996 and the thirteen weeks ended May 3, 1997 (in thousands):
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 1995
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------
                                                                  FIRST      SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                 QUARTER    QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                 -------    --------    --------    ----------
Sales.........................................................   $93,858    $109,209    $109,657     $ 239,366
Gross margin..................................................    49,087      56,973      57,697       127,070
Net income (loss).............................................    (5,661)     (3,344)     (3,376)       15,112
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares (a)...     (2.87)      (1.85)      (1.87)         6.26
YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 3, 1996
                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 FIRST       SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ----------
Sales........................................................   $112,716    $135,428    $132,058     $ 274,289
Gross margin.................................................     58,875      70,327      68,773       142,487
Net income (loss)............................................     (5,381)      3,171      (2,760)       19,221
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares(a)...      (4.36)       0.42       (0.37)         2.55
YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997
                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 FIRST       SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ----------
Sales........................................................   $130,719    $137,188    $136,140     $ 281,227
Gross margin.................................................     66,681      71,343      70,360       146,590
Net income (loss)............................................     (4,400)     (1,567)     (2,637)       20,361
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares(a)...      (0.59)      (0.21)      (0.35)         2.67
YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998
                                                                ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 FIRST       SECOND      THIRD        FOURTH
                                                                QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER(C)
                                                                --------    --------    --------    ----------
Sales........................................................   $134,592       --          --           --

Gross margin.................................................     68,870       --          --           --
Net income (loss)............................................     (4,226)      --          --           --
Net income (loss) per share applicable to common shares(a)...      (0.56)      --          --           --
------------------
(a) Net income (loss) per share for each quarter is computed as if each quarter
    were a discrete period. As such, the total of the four quarters Net income
    (loss) per share does not necessarily equal the net income (loss) per share
    for the year.
 
(b) The first quarter of 1995 includes a $10,000,000 nonrecurring, noncash
    charge relating to the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock. See Note
    5.
 
(c) The fourth quarter of 1994 includes $5,144,000, on a pre-tax basis, of
    expenses related to the management transition and consulting expense. The
    second quarter of 1995 includes proceeds of $5,000,000 from a life insurance
    policy maintained on a senior executive.
 
                                      F-23
FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
NOTE 12 -- ACQUISITIONS
 
     On October 28, 1994, Finlay Jewelry completed the acquisition of Sonab, a
French company which at that time operated 95 leased jewelry departments and
three free standing locations in France. The leased fine jewelry departments
operate in department stores such as Galeries Lafayette, Nouvelles Galeries and
Monoprix, S.A. Simultaneously with the acquisition of Sonab, G.E. Capital agreed
to provide additional financing by increasing Finlay's Revolving Credit Facility
by $25,000,000, from $110,000,000 to $135,000,000. The acquisition was recorded
under the purchase method of accounting. The Sonab acquisition required
approximately $11,000,000 primarily for the purpose of repaying existing
intercompany loans to Galeries Lafayette, as well as an outstanding gold credit
line. Finlay Jewelry paid approximately $356,000 for the common stock of Sonab.
Goodwill associated with this transaction was not significant.
 
     The following summary unaudited pro forma combined results of operations
for the year ended January 28, 1995 has been prepared assuming the acquisition
of Sonab occurred at the beginning of 1994. The pro forma information is
provided for informational purposes only. It is based on historical information
and does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred nor
is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the combined
company (in thousands, except per share data):
(UNAUDITED)
                                                             YEAR ENDED

                                                          JANUARY 28, 1995
                                                          ----------------
Sales..................................................       $572,965
Net income.............................................       $  3,356
Net income per share...................................       $   0.01
NOTE 13 -- SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
     On July 8, 1997, the Company received a commitment letter to amend the
Revolving Credit Facility by (i) increasing the line of credit from $135,000,000
to $225,000,000, (ii) including eligible international assets in the borrowing
base formula, (iii) reducing interest rates, (iv) permitting higher balances
during the annual balance reduction period and (v) extending the maturity date
from May 1998 to February 2003.
 
     On September 3, 1997, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire the
Diamond Park Fine Jewelers division of Zale Corporation ('Diamond Park'), a
leading operator of departments, for approximately $66 million. By acquiring
Diamond Park, the Company will add 139 departments that had total sales of
approximately $93 million for the twelve months ended February 1, 1997 and will
also add new host store relationships with Mercantile Stores, Marshall Field's
and Parisian. The Company intends to finance the Diamond Park Acquisition with
borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, as amended.
 
     The Company has filed a registration statement with the Securities and
Exchange Commission for a proposed public offering of 3,000,000 shares of its
Common Stock, of which 2,046,971 shares will be issued and sold by the Company.
The Company expects to use the net proceeds to it from the offering for working
capital, repayment of indebtedness or other general corporate purposes.
 
                                      F-24
----------------------------------------------------------
          ----------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SALE OF
AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR
AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SALE IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
                                                      ----
Prospectus Summary.................................     3
Risk Factors.......................................     9
Special Note Regarding
  Forward-Looking Statements.......................    14
Use of Proceeds....................................    15
Price Range of Common Stock........................    15
Dividend Policy....................................    15
Capitalization.....................................    16
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Information......................................    17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
  Condition and Results of Operations..............    19
Business...........................................    26
Management.........................................    38
Principal and Selling Stockholders.................    50
Certain Transactions...............................    52
Description of Capital Stock.......................    54
Shares Eligible for Future Sale....................    56
Underwriting.......................................    58
Legal Matters......................................    59
Experts............................................    59
Available Information..............................    59
Index to Consolidated Financial
  Statements.......................................   F-1
----------------------------------------------------------
          ----------------------------------------------------------

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

                               3,000,000 SHARES
                            FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                  COMMON STOCK
                           (PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                 [FINLAY LOGO]
 
                            ------------------------
 
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.

                          DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
                             SECURITIES CORPORATION

                          SBC WARBURG DILLON READ INC.

                      REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
 
          ----------------------------------------------------------
          ----------------------------------------------------------
PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following table sets forth the various expenses payable in connection
with the offering of the shares being registered hereby, other than underwriting
discounts and commissions. All the amounts shown are estimates, except the
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the NASD filing fee. All
of such expenses are being borne by the Company.
SEC registration fee.........................................  $    18,620
NASD filing fee..............................................        6,645
Accounting fees and expenses.................................       *
Legal fees and expenses......................................       *
Printing and engraving expenses..............................       *
Registrar and transfer agent's fees..........................       *
Miscellaneous fees and expenses..............................       *
                                                               -----------
     Total...................................................  $    *
                                                               -----------
                                                               -----------
------------------
* To be completed by amendment.
 
ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the 'DGCL')
permits a provision in the certificate of incorporation of each corporation
organized thereunder, eliminating or limiting, with certain exceptions, the
personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for certain breaches of fiduciary duty as a director. The
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company eliminates the personal liability of
directors to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
 
     Section 145 of the DGCL ('Section 145'), in summary, empowers a Delaware
corporation, within certain limitations, to indemnify its officers, directors,
employees and agents against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines and amounts paid in settlement, actually and reasonably incurred by them
in connection with any suit or proceeding other than by or on behalf of the
corporation, if they acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect
to a criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe their
conduct was unlawful.
 
     With respect to actions by or on behalf of the corporation, Section 145
permits a corporation to indemnify its officers, directors, employees and agents

against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in
connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit, provided such
person meets the standard of conduct described in the preceding paragraph,
except that no indemnification is permitted in respect of any claim where such
person has been found liable to the corporation, unless the Court of Chancery or
the court in which such action or suit was brought approves such indemnification
and determines that such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to be
indemnified.
 
     The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company provides for the
indemnification of officers and directors and certain other parties (the
'Indemnitees') of the Company to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware
law; provided, that except in the case of proceedings to enforce rights to
indemnification, the Company shall indemnify such Indemnitee in connection with
a proceeding initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding was authorized
by the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
     Finlay is a party to indemnification agreements with each of Finlay's
directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements require, among
other things, that Finlay indemnify its directors and executive officers against
certain liabilities and associated expenses arising from their service as
directors and executive officers of Finlay and reimburse certain related legal
and other expenses. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined therein)
Finlay will, upon request by an indemnitee under the agreements, create and fund
a trust for the benefit of such indemnitee sufficient to satisfy reasonably
 
                                      II-1
anticipated claims for indemnification. Finlay also covers each director and
executive officer under a directors and officers liability insurance policy
maintained by Finlay in such amounts as the Board of Directors of the Company
finds reasonable. Although the indemnification agreements offer coverage similar
to the provisions in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, they provide
greater assurance to directors and executive officers that indemnification will
be available, because, as contracts, they cannot be modified unilaterally in the
future by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders to eliminate the rights
they provide.
 
     The Underwriting Agreement provides for indemnification by the Underwriters
of the Company, its directors and officers, persons who control the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act for certain liabilities,
including liabilities arising thereunder.
 
     Certain of the employment and consulting agreements described in the
Prospectus under the captions 'Management -- Executive Compensation -- 
Employment Agreements and Change of Control Arrangements' and 'Management --
Executive Compensation -- Directors' Compensation' contains provisions entitling
the executive or consultant, as the case may be, to indemnification for losses
incurred in the course of service to the Company or Finlay Jewelry, under
certain circumstances.
 
     Thomas H. Lee Company provides indemnification to Warren C. Smith in

connection with his service as a director of the Company and Finlay Jewelry.
 
ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
 
     On January 3, 1995, the Company sold 138,525 shares of Common Stock to
Arthur E. Reiner for an aggregate purchase price of $1,001,538.16, paid in the
form of a note issued by Mr. Reiner to the Company. On February 18, 1995 Ronald
B. Grudberg acquired 37,364 shares upon the exercise of options granted to him
by the Company for an aggregate exercise price of $270,141.72. The options and
the shares issued to Messrs. Reiner and Grudberg were issued in reliance on the
exemption from registration contained in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. In
addition, immediately prior to completion of the Initial Public Offering,
2,581,784 shares of Common Stock were issued to the Lee Investors and the Desai
Investors in exchange for all of the then-outstanding shares of the Company's
10% Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock. These shares of Common Stock were
issued in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Section
3(a)(9) of the Securities Act.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     (a) Exhibits.
EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1**   1   --   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
 3.1         --   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed as part
                  of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on
                  April 12, 1995).
 3.2         --   By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.1         --   Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation and Articles II and VI of the By-laws
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  33-88938).
 4.2         --   Specimen Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.3         --   Specimen 12% Senior Discount Debenture Due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.4(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee,
                  relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures Due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on
                  June 10, 1993).
II-2
EXHIBIT

  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.4(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among the Company, Sonab Holdings, Inc.
                  ('Sonab Holdings'), Sonab International, Inc. ('Sonab International'), Sonab and Marine Midland
                  Bank, as trustee to the indenture relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by
                  the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
 4.4(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among the Company, Sonab Holdings, Sonab
                  International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the indenture relating to the 12%
                  Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on September 9, 1995).
 4.5         --   Pledge Agreement between the Company, and Marine Midland Bank, as Pledgee, dated as of May 26, 1993
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.NN filed as part of the Annual Report for the period ended
                  January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on Form 10-K on April 27, 1994).
 4.6         --   Specimen 10 5/8% Senior Note Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 4.2 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10,
                  1993).
 4.7(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between Finlay Jewelry and Marine Midland Bank, as Trustee,
                  relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10,
                  1993).
 4.7(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab Holdings,
                  Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee to the indenture relating to the
                  10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by
                  Finlay Jewelry on December 13, 1994).
 4.7(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab Holdings,
                  Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the indenture relating to the
                  10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by
                  Finlay Jewelry on September 9, 1995).
 4.8         --   Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry, THL Equity
                  Holding Corp., Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.5 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on
                  June 10, 1993).
 4.9(a)      --   Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 among the Company, David B.
                  Cornstein, Arthur E. Reiner, Robert S. Lowenstein, Norman S. Matthews, Ronald B. Grudberg, Harold
                  S. Geneen, James Martin Kaplan, Electra Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc., Jeffrey Branman,
                  the Lee Holders listed on the signature page thereto, Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., Equity-Linked
                  Investors-II and certain other security holders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company
                  on April 12, 1995).
 4.9(b)**    --   Amendment to Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of           , 1997.
II-3
EXHIBIT

  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.10        --   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, David B. Cornstein,
                  Harold S. Geneen, Ronald B. Grudberg, Robert S. Lowenstein, John C. Belknap, James Martin Kaplan,
                  Electra Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc., Jeffrey Branman, Andrew U. Belknap, Timothy H.
                  Belknap, THL Equity Holding Corp., Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
                  the Company on June 10, 1993).
 5.1**       --   Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
10.1         --   Form of Agreement and Certificate of Option Pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended July 31, 1993 filed by the Company on September 14, 1993).
10.2(a)      --   The Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k)) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on September 9, 1995).
10.2(b)      --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k)) (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 20, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995.
10.2(c)      --   Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Retirement Income Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 4, 1996 filed by the
                  Company on June 14, 1996).
10.3         --   Executive Medical Benefits Plan of Finlay Jewelry and the Company (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.7 of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-59434).
10.4(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 between David B. Cornstein and Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.4(b)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of December 20, 1994 between David B. Cornstein and
                  Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.4(c)**    --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of        , 1997 between David B. Cornstein and Finlay
                  Jewelry.
10.5         --   [Reserved]
10.6         --   [Reserved]
10.7(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and Arthur E.
                  Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) of Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(b)      --   Executive Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company and Arthur
                  E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(b) of Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(c)      --   Limited Recourse Secured Promissory Note dated as of January 3, 1995 by Arthur E. Reiner in favor
                  of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(c) of Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938.
10.7(d)      --   Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company and Arthur E. Reiner
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(d) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  33-88938).
II-4
EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.7(e)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of May 17, 1995 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(e) filed as part of the Annual Report
                  on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 1997 filed by the Company on May 1, 1997).
10.7(f)      --   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry
                  and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 filed as part of the Quarterly Report
                  on 10-Q for the period ended May 3, 1997 filed by the Company on June 17, 1997).
10.7(g)*     --   Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1997 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Arthur E. Reiner.
10.8(a)      --   Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of July 7, 1993 by and between Finlay Jewelry and Norman
                  Matthews (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.00 filed as part of the Annual Report on Form
                  10-K for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on April 27, 1994).
10.8(b)      --   Amendment to Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 between Norman S. Matthews
                  and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report
                  on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.9*        --   Employment Agreement dated as of April 18, 1997 between Joseph M. Melvin and Finlay Jewelry.
10.10        --   Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of November 1, 1992 between the Company and Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.11        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and Thomas H. Lee
                  Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.2 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K
                  filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
10.12        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and Desai Capital
                  Management Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1 filed as part of the Current
                  Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
10.13(a)     --   Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.6 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30,
                  1993).
10.13(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.14(b) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.13(c)*    --   1997 Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.14(a)     --   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 28, 1995 among G.E. Capital Corporation
                  ('G.E. Capital'), individually and in its capacity as agent, certain other lenders and financial
                  institutions, the Company and Finlay Jewelry (the 'Revolving Credit Agreement') (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.15 filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.14(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 29, 1995 filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9, 1995).
10.14(c)     --   Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of February 1, 1996 (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  February 3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9, 1996).
II-5
EXHIBIT

  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.14(d)     --   Amendment No. 3 to the Revolving Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14(d)
                  filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 1997 filed by the
                  Company on May 1, 1997).
10.15(a)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and Finlay Jewelry to
                  the order of G.E. Capital in the principal amount of $98,000,000 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.16(a) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28,
                  1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.15(b)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and Finlay Jewelry to
                  the order of Shawmut Bank in the principal amount of $37,000,000 (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.16(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28,
                  1995 filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.16        --   Security Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital, as agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.9 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.17        --   Security Agreement and Mortgage -- Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights, dated as of May 26, 1993 by
                  Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.10 filed
                  as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company
                  on June 30, 1993).
10.18        --   Assignment of Life Insurance Policy as Collateral dated May 26, 1993, by the Company to G.E.
                  Capital, as agent (upon the life of each of David B. Cornstein, Ronald B. Grudberg and Robert S.
                  Lowenstein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.11 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.19        --   Assignment of Business Interruption Insurance Policy as Collateral dated February 28, 1994 by
                  Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.M filed as part
                  of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  April 27, 1994).
10.20(a)     --   Guarantee dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry, Inc. to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 19.13 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.20(b)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.20(c)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.20(d)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29,
                  1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.21(a)     --   Pledge Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 19.14 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
II-6
EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT

----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.21(b)     --   Amendment Agreement dated October 28, 1994 to the Pledge Agreement by Finlay Jewelry in favor of
                  G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.22(a)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.22(b)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form
                  10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.23        --   Master Agreement for the Assignment of Accounts Receivable as Security (Translation) dated October
                  28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
10.24        --   Note Pledge Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.25        --   [Reserved]
10.26        --   [Reserved]
10.27        --   Share Purchase Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 among Societe Des Grands Magasins Galeries
                  Lafayette, Union Pour Les Investissements Commerciaux, Societe Anonyme Des Galeries Lafayette,
                  Sonab Holdings and Sonab International (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  December 13, 1994).
10.28        --   Form of Directors and Officers Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on June 3, 1995).
10.29(a)     --   Gold Consignment Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and Rhode Island
                  Hospital Trust National Bank ('RIHT') (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on
                  September 9, 1995).
10.29(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 and Limited Consent to the Gold Consignment Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit No. 10.13(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February
                  3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9, 1996).
10.30        --   Security Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.31        --   Cash Collateral Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.32        --   Intercreditor Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between G.E. Capital and RIHT and acknowledged by
                  Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
II-7
EXHIBIT
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT

----------  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.33**      --   Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of        , 1997 by and among the Company, Finlay Jewelry, Zale
                  Corporation and Zale Delaware, Inc.
11.1*        --   Computation of earnings per share.
21.1         --   Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
23.1*        --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2**       --   Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1         --   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
27.1*        --   Financial Data Schedule.
------------------
  * Filed herewith.
 
 ** To be filed by amendment.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Company pursuant to its Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws, the Underwriting
Agreement or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes that: (1) For purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the
form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon
Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Company pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be a
part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-8
SIGNATURES
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 THE COMPANY HAS
DULY CAUSED THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW
YORK, ON THE 4TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1997.
 
                                          FINLAY ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
                                          By:      /s/ ARTHUR E. REINER
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                      Arthur E. Reiner
                                               President and Chief Executive
                                                         Officer
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL WHOSE SIGNATURE
APPEARS BELOW CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS ARTHUR E. REINER AND BARRY D. SCHECKNER,
OR EITHER OF THEM, HIS TRUE AND LAWFUL ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND AGENTS WITH FULL
POWER OF SUBSTITUTION AND RESUBSTITUTION, FOR HIM AND IN HIS NAME, PLACE AND
STEAD, IN ANY AND ALL CAPACITIES (UNTIL REVOKED IN WRITING), TO SIGN ANY AND ALL
AMENDMENTS (INCLUDING POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENTS) TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT,
AND ANY REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THE SAME OFFERING AS THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT IS TO BE EFFECTIVE UPON FILING PURSUANT TO RULE
462(B) AND THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND TO FILE THE SAME, WITH ALL EXHIBITS
THERETO, AND ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION, GRANTING SAID ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND AGENTS, AND EACH OF
THEM, FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO DO AND PERFORM EACH AND EVERY ACT AND THING
REQUISITE AND NECESSARY TO BE DONE IN AND ABOUT THE PREMISES, AS FULLY AND TO
ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES AS HE MIGHT OR COULD DO IN PERSON, HEREBY RATIFYING AND
CONFIRMING ALL THAT SAID ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT AND AGENTS OR EITHER OF THEM, OR
THEIR OR HIS SUBSTITUTE OR SUBSTITUTES, MAY LAWFULLY DO OR CAUSE TO BE DONE BY
VIRTUE HEREOF.
 
     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
NAME                                      TITLE                            DATE
------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------   -------------------
/s/ DAVID B. CORNSTEIN            Chairman of the Board and Director           September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
            David B. Cornstein
 
           /s/ ARTHUR E. REINER             President, Chief Executive Officer,          September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------  Vice Chairman and Director
             Arthur E. Reiner               (Principal Executive Officer)
 

          /s/ BARRY D. SCHECKNER            Senior Vice President and Chief              September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------  Financial Officer (Principal Financial
            Barry D. Scheckner              Officer)
 
          /s/ BRUCE E. ZURLNICK             Treasurer                                    September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------  (Principal Accounting Officer)
            Bruce E. Zurlnick
 
          /s/ NORMAN S. MATTHEWS            Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
            Norman S. Matthews
II-9
NAME                                      TITLE                            DATE
------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------   -------------------
/s/ JAMES MARTIN KAPLAN            Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
           James Martin Kaplan
 
            /s/ ROHIT M. DESAI              Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
              Rohit M. Desai
 
            /s/ THOMAS H. LEE               Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
              Thomas H. Lee
 
         /s/ WARREN C. SMITH, JR.           Director                                     September 4, 1997
------------------------------------------
           Warren C. Smith, Jr.
II-10
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
1.1**       --   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
 3.1         --   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
                  filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995
                  filed by the Company on April 12, 1995).
 3.2         --   By-laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.1         --   Article Fourth of the Certificate of Incorporation and Articles II and VI of the
                  By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 on Form S-1 Registration Statement,
                  Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.2         --   Specimen Common Stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
 4.3         --   Specimen 12% Senior Discount Debenture Due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
                  the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.4(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between the Company and Marine Midland Bank, as
                  Trustee, relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures Due 2005 issued by the
                  Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 filed as part of the Current Report
                  on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.4(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among the Company, Sonab
                  Holdings, Inc. ('Sonab Holdings'), Sonab International, Inc. ('Sonab International'),
                  Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee to the indenture relating to the 12% Senior
                  Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by the Company (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
 4.4(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among the Company, Sonab
                  Holdings, Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the
                  indenture relating to the 12% Senior Discount Debentures due 2005 issued by the
                  Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on
                  September 9, 1995).
 4.5         --   Pledge Agreement between the Company, and Marine Midland Bank, as Pledgee, dated as
                  of May 26, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.NN filed as part of the
                  Annual Report for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on Form 10-K
                  on April 27, 1994).
 4.6         --   Specimen 10 5/8% Senior Note Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by
                  Finlay Jewelry on June 10, 1993).
 4.7(a)      --   Indenture dated as of May 26, 1993 between Finlay Jewelry and Marine Midland Bank, as
                  Trustee, relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes Due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed as part of the Current Report on Form
                  8-K filed by Finlay Jewelry on June 10, 1993).
EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
----------  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ----------
4.7(b)      --   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 28, 1994 among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab
                  Holdings, Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee to the
                  indenture relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by Finlay Jewelry on December
                  13, 1994).
 4.7(c)      --   Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 14, 1995, among Finlay Jewelry, Sonab
                  Holdings, Sonab International, Sonab and Marine Midland Bank, as trustee, to the
                  indenture relating to the 10 5/8% Senior Notes due 2003 issued by Finlay Jewelry
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9,
                  1995).
 4.8         --   Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry,
                  THL Equity Holding Corp., Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked
                  Investors-II (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 filed as part of the Current
                  Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
 4.9(a)      --   Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 among the
                  Company, David B. Cornstein, Arthur E. Reiner, Robert S. Lowenstein, Norman S.
                  Matthews, Ronald B. Grudberg, Harold S. Geneen, James Martin Kaplan, Electra
                  Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc., Jeffrey Branman, the Lee Holders listed on
                  the signature page thereto, Equity-Linked Investors, L.P., Equity-Linked Investors-II
                  and certain other security holders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by
                  the Company on April 12, 1995).
 4.9(b)**    --   Amendment to Amended and Restated Stockholders' Agreement dated as of           ,
                  1997.
 4.10        --   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, David B.
                  Cornstein, Harold S. Geneen, Ronald B. Grudberg, Robert S. Lowenstein, John C.
                  Belknap, James Martin Kaplan, Electra Investment Trust, PLC, RHI Holdings, Inc.,
                  Jeffrey Branman, Andrew U. Belknap, Timothy H. Belknap, THL Equity Holding Corp.,
                  Equity-Linked Investors, L.P. and Equity-Linked Investors-II (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.7 filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the
                  Company on June 10, 1993).
 5.1**       --   Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
10.1         --   Form of Agreement and Certificate of Option Pursuant to the Long Term Incentive Plan
                  of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 31, 1993 filed by the Company
                  on September 14, 1993).
10.2(a)      --   The Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k)) (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.2(b)      --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Restated Retirement Income Plan (401(k))
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 20, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9,
                  1995.
EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
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10.2(c)      --   Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Retirement Income Plan (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
                  May 4, 1996 filed by the Company on June 14, 1996).
10.3         --   Executive Medical Benefits Plan of Finlay Jewelry and the Company (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 10.7 of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No.
                  33-59434).
10.4(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 between David B. Cornstein and Finlay
                  Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.2 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30,
                  1993).
10.4(b)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of December 20, 1994 between David B.
                  Cornstein and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part
                  of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed by the
                  Company on June 3, 1995).
10.4(c)**    --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of        , 1997 between David B.
                  Cornstein and Finlay Jewelry.
10.5         --   [Reserved]
10.6         --   [Reserved]
10.7(a)      --   Employment Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry
                  and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(a) of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(b)      --   Executive Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the
                  Company and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(b) of Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(c)      --   Limited Recourse Secured Promissory Note dated as of January 3, 1995 by Arthur E.
                  Reiner in favor of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(c) of Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938.
10.7(d)      --   Stock Pledge Agreement dated as of January 3, 1995 between the Company and Arthur E.
                  Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7(d) of Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.7(e)      --   Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of May 17, 1995 among the Company, Finlay
                  Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8(e) filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended February 1, 1997 filed by
                  the Company on May 1, 1997).
10.7(f)      --   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997 among the Company,
                  Finlay Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on 10-Q for the period ended May 3, 1997 filed by the
                  Company on June 17, 1997).
10.7(g)*     --   Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement dated July 1, 1997 among the Company, Finlay
                  Jewelry and Arthur E. Reiner.
10.8(a)      --   Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of July 7, 1993 by and between Finlay
                  Jewelry and Norman Matthews (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.00 filed as part
                  of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on April 27, 1994).
EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
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10.8(b)      --   Amendment to Consulting and Option Agreement dated as of March 6, 1995 between Norman
                  S. Matthews and Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 1995 filed
                  by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.9*        --   Employment Agreement dated as of April 18, 1997 between Joseph M. Melvin and Finlay
                  Jewelry.
10.10        --   Tax Allocation Agreement dated as of November 1, 1992 between the Company and Finlay
                  Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.5 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30,
                  1993).
10.11        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Thomas H. Lee Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.2 filed as part of the
                  Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10, 1993).
10.12        --   Management Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 among the Company, Finlay Jewelry and
                  Desai Capital Management Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 28.1
                  filed as part of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 10,
                  1993).
10.13(a)     --   Long Term Incentive Plan of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.6
                  filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993
                  filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.13(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.14(b) of Form S-1 Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
10.13(c)*    --   1997 Long Term Incentive Plan.
10.14(a)     --   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 28, 1995 among G.E. Capital
                  Corporation ('G.E. Capital'), individually and in its capacity as agent, certain
                  other lenders and financial institutions, the Company and Finlay Jewelry (the
                  'Revolving Credit Agreement') (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 filed as
                  part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by
                  the Company on April 12, 1995).
10.14(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by Finlay Jewelry on September 9,
                  1995).
10.14(c)     --   Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of February 1, 1996
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) filed as part of the Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the period ended February 3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9,
                  1996).
10.14(d)     --   Amendment No. 3 to the Revolving Credit Agreement (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.14(d) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  February 1, 1997 filed by the Company on May 1, 1997).
10.15(a)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and
                  Finlay Jewelry to the order of G.E. Capital in the principal amount of $98,000,000
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16(a) filed as part of the Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on April 12,
                  1995).
EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
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10.15(b)     --   Amended and Restated Revolving Note dated as of March 28, 1995 by the Company and
                  Finlay Jewelry to the order of Shawmut Bank in the principal amount of $37,000,000
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on
                  Form 10-K for the period ended January 28, 1995 filed by the Company on April 12,
                  1995).
10.16        --   Security Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E.
                  Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.9 filed as part of the
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company
                  on June 30, 1993).
10.17        --   Security Agreement and Mortgage -- Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights, dated as of
                  May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 19.10 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.18        --   Assignment of Life Insurance Policy as Collateral dated May 26, 1993, by the Company
                  to G.E. Capital, as agent (upon the life of each of David B. Cornstein, Ronald B.
                  Grudberg and Robert S. Lowenstein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.11 filed
                  as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed
                  by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.19        --   Assignment of Business Interruption Insurance Policy as Collateral dated February 28,
                  1994 by Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent (incorporated by reference to
                  Exhibit 10.M filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
                  January 29, 1994 filed by the Company on April 27, 1994).
10.20(a)     --   Guarantee dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry, Inc. to G.E. Capital, as agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.13 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.20(b)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13,
                  1994).
10.20(c)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  December 13, 1994).
10.20(d)     --   Guarantee dated as of October 28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13,
                  1994).
10.21(a)     --   Pledge Agreement dated as of May 26, 1993 by Finlay Jewelry to G.E. Capital, as agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19.14 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended May 1, 1993 filed by the Company on June 30, 1993).
10.21(b)     --   Amendment Agreement dated October 28, 1994 to the Pledge Agreement by Finlay Jewelry
                  in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
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10.22(a)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab Holdings in
                  favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed as part of the
                  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
10.22(b)     --   Share Pledge Agreement (Translation) dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab International in
                  favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed as part of
                  the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the
                  Company on December 13, 1994).
10.23        --   Master Agreement for the Assignment of Accounts Receivable as Security (Translation)
                  dated October 28, 1994 by Sonab in favor of G.E. Capital (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.11 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
                  ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.24        --   Note Pledge Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 by Finlay Jewelry in favor of G.E.
                  Capital (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 filed as part of the Quarterly
                  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on
                  December 13, 1994).
10.25        --   [Reserved]
10.26        --   [Reserved]
10.27        --   Share Purchase Agreement dated as of October 28, 1994 among Societe Des Grands
                  Magasins Galeries Lafayette, Union Pour Les Investissements Commerciaux, Societe
                  Anonyme Des Galeries Lafayette, Sonab Holdings and Sonab International (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                  the period ended October 29, 1994 filed by the Company on December 13, 1994).
10.28        --   Form of Directors and Officers Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference
                  to Exhibit 10.4 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the period
                  ended April 29, 1995 filed by the Company on June 3, 1995).
10.29(a)     --   Gold Consignment Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and Rhode
                  Island Hospital Trust National Bank ('RIHT') (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.1 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29,
                  1995 filed by the Company on September 9, 1995).
10.29(b)     --   Amendment No. 1 and Limited Consent to the Gold Consignment Agreement (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit No. 10.13(b) filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 10-K
                  for the period ended February 3, 1996 filed by the Company on April 9, 1996).
10.30        --   Security Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9,
                  1995).
10.31        --   Cash Collateral Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between Finlay Jewelry and RIHT
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed as part of the Quarterly Report on
                  Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by the Company on September 9,
                  1995).
10.32        --   Intercreditor Agreement dated as of June 15, 1995 between G.E. Capital and RIHT and
                  acknowledged by Finlay Jewelry (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 filed as
                  part of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 29, 1995 filed by
                  the Company on September 9, 1995).
EXHIBIT                                                                                                  SEQUENTIAL
  NUMBER    DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT                                                                        PAGE NO.
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10.33**      --   Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of        , 1997 by and among the Company, Finlay
                  Jewelry, Zale Corporation and Zale Delaware, Inc.
11.1*        --   Computation of earnings per share.
21.1         --   Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 of Form S-1
                  Registration Statement, Registration No. 33-88938).
23.1*        --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
23.2**       --   Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1         --   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
27.1*        --   Financial Data Schedule.
------------------
   * Filed herewith.
  ** To be filed by amendment.