<PAGE>   1
Exhibit 10.18


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                                   (Paul Hart)

         This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") dated as of May 1, 1997
(the "Consummation Date") is made by and between Paul Hart (the "Executive") and
Barry's Jewelers, Inc., a California corporation (the "Company").

                                    RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into an agreement as of May 1,
1997 (the Original Employment Agreement") and now wish to supersede the Original
Employment Agreement pursuant to this agreement (which shall be deemed
retroactive to May 1, 1997); and

WHEREAS, the Executive is willing, upon the terms and conditions herein set
forth, to provide services to the Company hereunder;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained
herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

         1.       Employment.

         Subject to Section 7, the Company hereby employs the Executive, and the
Executive hereby accepts such employment, during the Term of Employment, as Vice
President - M.I.S. of the Company to perform such duties and responsibilities,
consistent with such position, as may be reasonably assigned to the Executive
from time to time by the Company.

         (The definitions of capitalized terms used in this Agreement are
contained in Section 9 of this Agreement.)

         2.       Devotion of Time.

         During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall perform his duties
hereunder faithfully and to the best of his ability, at the principal executive
office of the Company, under the direction of the Board or its designee. Except
for vacations and reasonable absences due to temporary illness and incapacity,
the Executive shall devote his full business time and attention to the
performance of his duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Executive may (i) make and manage passive personal business investments of his
choice and serve in any capacity with any civic, educational or charitable
organization, without seeking or obtaining approval by the Board, provided such
activities and service do not materially interfere or conflict with the
performance of his duties hereunder and (ii) may serve on the boards of
directors of other corporations or any trade 

<PAGE>   2
association. Nothing contained herein shall require Executive to follow any
directive or to perform or fail to report any act which would violate any laws,
ordinances, regulations or rules of any governmental, regulatory or
administrative body, agency or authority, any court or judicial authority, or
any public, private, industry, professional, regulatory or licensing authority
(collectively, the "Regulations"). Executive shall act in good faith in
accordance with all Regulations.

         3.       Term of Employment.

         The term of the Executive's employment hereunder shall commence on the
Consummation Date and shall end on the Effective Date (such term of employment
shall hereinafter be referred to as Term of Employment). This agreement shall
terminate on the Effective Date, subject to the payment obligations specified
herein and Section 8 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term of
Employment may be terminated prior to the expiration thereof, by the Company
pursuant to Section 7.2 or by the Executive pursuant to Section 7.3, in which
event the Term of Employment shall end on the Date of Termination.

         4.       Compensation.

         During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be compensated as
follows:

         4.1 Base Salary. The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary at
the rate of $120,000 per annum, payable in arrears not less frequently than
monthly in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company. Such
base salary shall be subject to review each year by the Board in its sole
discretion, but shall in no event be decreased from its then-existing level. The
Company shall give the Bank Group and the Committees notice of any increase in
the base salary. The Bank Group and Committees shall have the right to object to
the increase and to have the Bankruptcy Court determine the reasonableness
thereof.

         4.2 Annual Bonus. In addition, the Executive shall be eligible to
receive a bonus ("Annual Bonus") with respect to each fiscal year of the
Company, to the extent that the Company achieves the applicable performance
targets for each such year (the "Annual Bonus Parameters"); provided, however,
that the Executive's aggregate Annual Bonus shall not exceed an amount equal to
33% of his base salary for such year. The Annual Bonus Parameters with respect
to the Company's fiscal year ending May 31, 1998 are set forth in Appendix A
hereto. The performance targets with respect to the Annual Bonus for subsequent
fiscal years shall be based upon Annual Bonus Parameters to be determined by the
Board and the Executive prior to the commencement of each such year. The Bank
Group and Committees shall be given notice of the Annual Bonus Parameters
determined by the Board and the Executive. The Bank Group and Committees shall
have the right to object to the Annual Bonus Parameters 



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<PAGE>   3

determined by the Board and the Executive with respect to any such subsequent
fiscal year and to have the Bankruptcy Court determine the reasonableness
thereof. Before the Company pays any portion of the Annual Bonus, the Executive
shall provide a certification to the Bank Group and the Committees that the
applicable Bonus Parameter has been satisfied, together with appropriate
documentation, e.g., with respect to the fourth increment of the Annual Bonus
Bonus for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1998, the Executive shall provide an
accounts payable aging and a certification that the Company is maintaining its
payables within agreed upon vendor terms.

         4.3 Confirmation Bonus. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive a one-time confirmation bonus (the "Confirmation Bonus"), upon (i) the
entry of a confirmation order of a plan of reorganization, provided that the
sole conditions to the Effective Date of the confirmed plan are tied to the
performance of a person or entity other than the Company, the Executive, an
employee or agent of the Company (the "Company Group"); (ii) the date such a
plan of reorganization becomes effective, if the sole conditions to the
Effective Date of the confirmed plan are tied to the performance by any member
of the Company Group; or (iii) the date upon which the Company Group performs
all the conditions to the Effective Date of the confirmed plan that are in its
control, if the conditions to the Effective Date of the confirmed plan are tied
both to the performance of the Company Group and to the performance of any
person or entity who is not a member of the Company Group (each such date of
payment under clause (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall hereinafter be referred to
as a "Satisfaction Date"); provided, in each case, that the Bankruptcy Court
determines that the Company has demonstrated the capacity to finance the
Company's seasonal working capital requirements in the form of an asset based
working capital facility that contains market advance rates and market
collateral eligibility parameters; provided, further, that in order to
demonstrate such capacity, the plan of reorganization need not provide for the
obtaining of such facility. The amount payable as a Confirmation Bonus shall be
based on when the Satisfaction Date occurs, as set forth in the Schedule
attached hereto as Appendix B. The Confirmation Bonus shall be paid in a cash
lump sum on the Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Confirmation
Bonus shall be payable if the Satisfaction Date occurs after September 30, 1998.

         5.       Reimbursement of Expenses.

         During the Term of Employment, the Company shall reimburse the
Executive for expenses in accordance with the Company's policies and the rules
and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.




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<PAGE>   4
         6.       Benefits.

         During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to
benefits, as follows:

         6.1 Company Plans. The Executive shall be entitled to perquisites and
benefits established by the Company, from time to time, for management of the
Company (including, without limitation, health and dental insurance, disability
insurance, participation in the Company's 401(k) and deferred compensation
plans), subject to the policies and procedures of the Company of general
applicability in effect, from time to time, regarding participation in such
benefits.

         6.2 Vacation. In addition, the Executive shall be entitled to three 
(3) weeks of paid vacation during each year.

         6.3 Relocation Allowance. In addition, the Company shall pay the
Executive a relocation allowance equal to the lesser of (i) ten percent of his
annual base salary and (ii) the actual cost of the Executive's relocation to Los
Angeles, at such time as the Executive leases or purchases a residence in the
Los Angeles area.

         7.       Termination of Employment.

         7.1 Termination Due to Death or Disability. Subject to the payments
contemplated by Section 7.6, the Executive's employment by the Company shall
terminate upon the death of the Executive or upon the Executive becoming
Disabled.

         7.2 Early Termination by the Company. Subject to the payments
contemplated by Sections 7.4 and 7.5, the Executive's employment by the Company
may be terminated at any time by the Company (after adoption of a resolution by
the Board to do so) as follows:

         7.2.1 For Cause; or

         7.2.2 For any other reason or no reason, it being understood that no
reason is required.

Such termination by the Company shall be effected by delivery by the Company to
the Executive of a written notice of termination (which notice shall include a
copy of the resolution adopted by the Board), specifying the Date of Termination
and stating in the case of termination for Cause, the grounds which the Board
has determined exist for such termination, and shall be subject to the
requirements for advance notice and opportunity to cure provided in this
Agreement, if and to the extent applicable.



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<PAGE>   5
         7.3 Early Termination by the Executive. Subject to the payments
contemplated by Sections 7.4 and 7.5, the Executive's employment by the Company
may be terminated at any time by the Executive, as follows:

         7.3.1 For Good Reason; or

         7.3.2 For any other reason or no reason, it being understood that no
reason is required.

Such termination by the Executive shall be effected by delivery by the Executive
to the Company of a written notice of termination, specifying the Date of
Termination and stating in the case of termination for Good Reason, the grounds
which the Executive has determined exist for such termination, and shall be
subject to the requirements for advance notice and opportunity to cure provided
in this Agreement, if and to the extent applicable. The Company shall provide
notice to the Bank Group and the Committees of such termination by the
Executive.

         7.4 Payments if Termination by the Company for Cause or by the
Executive Without Good Reason. In the event that the Executive's employment by
the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without
Good Reason, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Executive his Accrued
Salary and Benefits, in a lump sum in cash, within five (5) business days after
the Date of Termination (provided, however, that any portion of the Accrued
Salary and Benefits which consists of deferred compensation or post-termination
benefits shall be determined and paid in accordance with the terms of the
relevant plan as applicable to the Executive).

         7.5 Payments if Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the
Executive For Good Reason. In the event that the Executive's employment by the
Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good
Reason, the Company shall be obligated to:

         7.5.1 Pay to the Executive his Accrued Salary and Benefits in a lump
sum in cash, within five (5) business days after the Date of Termination
(provided, however, that any portion of the Accrued Salary and Benefits which
consists of deferred compensation or post-termination benefits shall be
determined and paid in accordance with the terms of the relevant plan as
applicable to the Executive);

         7.5.2 If the Company achieves the Annual Bonus Parameter that relates
to the projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization,
bonuses and bankruptcy expenses ("EBITDABB") for the fiscal year during which
the Executive's employment is terminated, pay to the Executive the full Annual
Bonus with respect to the fiscal year in which such termination occurs (minus
any portion of the Annual Bonus that has already been paid to the Executive with
respect to the fiscal year during 



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<PAGE>   6

which the employment is terminated) in the same manner as if the Executive were
still an employee of the Company; and

         7.5.3 Pay to the Executive a Confirmation Bonus pursuant to section 4.3
if and only if, were the Executive still an employee of the Company on the
Effective Date, such Confirmation Bonus would have been payable as provided
under section 4.3.

         7.6 Payment if Termination Due to Death or Disability. In the event
that the Executive's employment by the Company is terminated due to the
Executive's death or Disability, the Company shall be obligated to:

         7.6.1 Pay to the Executive his Accrued Salary and Benefits, in a lump
sum in cash, within five (5) business days after the Date of Termination
(provided, however, that any portion of the Accrued Salary and Benefits which
consists of deferred compensation or post-termination benefits shall be
determined and paid in accordance with the terms of the relevant plan as
applicable to the Executive);

         7.6.2 If all of the applicable Annual Bonus Parameters have been met
prior to the Date of Termination, pay to the Executive the aggregate amount of
any remaining Annual Bonus installments for the fiscal year, in a lump sum in
cash within fourteen days after the Date of Termination; and

         7.6.3 Pay to the Executive a Confirmation Bonus pursuant to section 4.3
if and only if, were the Executive still an employee of the Company on the
Effective Date, such Confirmation Bonus would have been payable as provided
under section 4.3. The amount of the Confirmation Bonus payable pursuant to this
Section 7.6.3 shall be determined by multiplying the Confirmation Bonus
otherwise payable pursuant to Section 4.3 by a fraction, the numerator of which
equals the total number of calendar months that the Executive was employed by
the Company starting from the Consummation Date until the Date of Termination,
and the denominator of which equals the total number of calendar months from the
Consummation Date until the Satisfaction Date, e.g., if the Executive was
employed for nine months from the Consummation Date and the Satisfaction Date
occurred twelve months after the Consummation Date, then the Executive would
receive a pro rated Confirmation Bonus equal to 3/4 (9/12) of the total amount
that would have been payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.3 had he
still been employed on the Effective Date. For purposes of the foregoing
calculation, any fraction of a calendar month shall be deemed to be an entire
calendar month.

         The payments described in this Section 7.6 shall be in addition to any
life insurance and disability benefits payable to the Executive from the
Company.

         7.7 No Additional Severance Payments. Except for the payments provided
in this Section 7, the Executive shall not be 



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entitled to any payments by the Company in the event of the termination of his
employment. In such event, the Executive shall have no obligation to seek other
employment to mitigate damages and any income earned by the Executive from other
employment or self-employment shall not be offset against any of the Company's
payment obligations under this Section 7.

         8. Confidential Information.

         8.1 Nondisclosure of Confidential Information. During and after the
Term of Employment, Executive will not disclose to any person, or use or
otherwise exploit for the Executive's own benefit or for the benefit of anyone
other than the Company, any Confidential Information of the Company, whether
prepared by the Executive or not. At the request of the Company, the Executive
agrees to deliver to the Company, at any time during the Term of Employment, or
thereafter, all Confidential Information which he may possess or control. The
Executive agrees that all Confidential Information of the Company (whether now
or hereafter existing) conceived, discovered or made by him during the Term of
Employment exclusively belongs to the Company (and not to the Executive). The
Executive will promptly disclose such Confidential Information to the Company
and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company to establish and
confirm such exclusive ownership.

         8.2 Exceptions to Nondisclosure Obligations. The information
provisions of Section 8.1 shall not apply to (I) information disclosed in the
performance of the Executive's duties to the Company based on his good faith
belief that such disclosure is in the best interests of Company; (ii)
information that is public knowledge; (iii) information disseminated by the
Company to third parties in the ordinary course of business; (iv) information
lawfully received by the Executive from a third party who, based upon inquiry by
the Executive, is not bound by a confidential relationship to the Company; (v)
information disclosed under a requirement of law or as directed by applicable
legal authority having jurisdiction over the Executive; or (vi) information
necessary in order to enforce his rights under this Agreement or necessary to
defend himself against a claim asserted directly or indirectly by the Company or
any of its affiliated companies.

         8.3 Survival of Nondisclosure Obligations. The terms of this Section 8
shall survive the termination of this Agreement regardless of who terminates
this Agreement or the reasons therefor.

         9. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the
meanings set forth in this Section 9.

         "Accrued Salary and Benefits" means, as of the applicable date, the sum
of (i) the Executive's base salary under Section 4.1 through such date to the
extent not theretofore paid, (ii) any earned but unpaid Annual Bonus and
Confirmation Bonus 


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payments, and (iii) any vacation pay, expense reimbursements and other cash
entitlements accrued by the Executive as of such date to the extent not
theretofore paid.

         "Annual Bonus" is defined in Section 4.2.

         "Annual Bonus Parameters" is defined in section 4.2.

         "Bank Group" means those financial institutions comprised of Bank
Boston, N.A., Jackson National Life Insurance Company, The Long Horizon Fund,
L.P., and the CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc., or their respective successors
and assigns.

         "Bankruptcy Court" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
District in which the Company's bankruptcy case is pending or, if such court
ceases to exercise jurisdiction over such case, such court or adjunct thereof
that exercises jurisdiction over such case in lieu of the United States
Bankruptcy Court for such District.

         "Board" is defined in Section 1.

         "Cause" shall mean any of the following:

         (i) The Executive's conviction for, or plea of nolo contendere to, any
felony:

         (ii) The Executive's willful fraud or material dishonesty in connection
with the Executive's performance of his duties hereunder;

         (iii) The Executive's failure, other than due to illness, disability or
death or as a result of any event that constitutes Good Reason hereunder, to
substantially perform his duties hereunder that results in material harm to the
Company; or

         (iv) The Executive's gross negligence in the performance of his duties
hereunder (other than arising solely due to physical or mental disability) that
results in material harm to the Company; in each case, for purposes of clauses
(iii) and (iv), after the Board has provided the Executive with 30 days' written
notice of such circumstances and the possibility of an event giving rise to
termination for Cause, and the Executive fails to cure such circumstances within
those 30 days.

         "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of (i) a reorganization,
merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more corporations as a result
of which the Company is not the surviving corporation or as a result of which it
is the surviving corporation and its outstanding voting securities are converted
to or reclassified as cash, securities of another corporation or other property
(unless the principal purpose of such transaction is to change the state of the
Company's incorporation), (ii) upon a sale of assets of the Company or its
subsidiaries having a fair market value equal to more than 50% of the total fair




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market value of the Company's assets to an entity which is not controlling,
controlled by or under common control with the Company (including, without
limitation, such a sale pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code), or
(iii) the acquisition of a record or beneficial interest in more than 30% of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company, either in a single
transaction or a series of transactions, by an entity or "group" within the
meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder which is not an affiliate of the Company.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time.

         "Committees" shall mean any official committee appointed by the Office
of the United States Trustee and continuing to exist in the Company's
reorganization case and the committee of bondholders even if it ceases to be an
official committee.

         "Company" is defined in the introduction.

         "Confidential Information" means any confidential information of the
Company including, without limitation, any study, data, calculations, software
storage media or other compilation of information, patent, patent application,
copyright, trademark, trade name, service mark, service name, "know-how", trade
secrets, customer lists, details of client or consultant contracts, pricing
policies, operational methods, marketing plans or strategies, product
development techniques or plans, business acquisition plans or any portion or
phase of any scientific or technical information, ideas, discoveries, designs,
computer programs (including source or object codes), processes, procedures,
formulas, improvements of other proprietary or intellectual property of the
Company or relating to its business, whether or not in written or tangible form,
and whether or not registered, and including all files, records, manuals, books,
catalogues, memoranda, notes, summaries, plans, reports, records, documents and
other evidence thereof, whether existing now or hereafter discovered or
developed.

         "Confirmation Bonus" is defined in Section 4.3.

         "Confirmation Date" shall mean the date on which the Bankruptcy Court's
order approving a plan of reorganization with respect to the Company is entered
on the docket.

         "Consummation Date" is defined in the introduction.

         "Date of Termination" means (i) in the event of a termination of the
Executive's employment pursuant to Section 7.2, the date specified in the
written notice of termination from the Company, (ii) in the event of a
termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to Section 7.3, the date




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specified in the written notice of termination from the Executive, (iii) in the
event of the Executive's death, the date of the Executive's death and (iv) in
the event of the Executive's Disability, the date he is determined to be
Disabled.

         "Disabled" or "Disability" means, with respect to the Executive, the
occurrence of an event or events that renders the Executive with respect to his
physical or mental condition unable to perform, in the view of the Board and as
certified in writing by a competent medical physician, his duties hereunder and
which results in his being entitled to benefits under the Company's disability
insurance plan.

         "Effective Date" Shall mean the date on which the plan of
reorganization with respect to the Company becomes effective.

         "Executive" means Paul Hart or his estate, if deceased.

         "Good Reason" means any of the following:

         (i)  Any termination by the Executive within twelve (12) months 
following the occurrence of a Change in Control; or

         (ii) A material breach by the Company of the penultimate sentence of
Section 2 of this Agreement, provided that such breach was not caused by any
action or inaction over which the Executive had ultimate control.

         10.  General.

         10.1 Notice. Any notice, request, demand or other communication
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in writing
and delivered personally, or sent by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, as follows (or to such other addressee or address as shall be
set forth in a notice given in the same manner).

         If to Executive:       Paul Hart
                                100 Coachman's Road
                                Madison, Mississippi 39110

         If to Company:         Barry's Jewelers, Inc.
                                111 West Lemon Avenue
                                Monrovia, California 91016
                                Attn: CEO

Any such notices shall be deemed to be given on the date personally delivered or
such return receipt is issued.

         10.2 Executive's Representations. The Executive hereby warrants and
represents to the Company that the Executive has carefully reviewed this
Agreement, including his obligations hereunder, and has consulted with such
attorneys and advisors as the Executive considers appropriate in connection with
this 



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Agreement, and is not subject to any covenants, agreements or restrictions,
including without limitation any covenants, agreements or restrictions arising
out of the Executive's prior employment which would be breached or violated by
the Executive's execution of this Agreement or by the Executive's performance of
his duties hereunder.

         10.3 Validity. If, for any reason, any provision hereof shall be
determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the validity and effect of the other
provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

         10.4 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable
law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect
any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be
reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid,
illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

         10.5 Tax Withholding. The Company shall provide for the withholding of
any taxes required to be withheld by federal, state, or local law with respect
to any payment in cash, shares of stock and/or other property made by or on
behalf of the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive under this
Agreement or otherwise. The Company may, at its option: (i) withhold such taxes
from any cash payments owing from the Company to the Executive, (ii) require the
Executive to pay to the Company in cash such amount as may be required to
satisfy such withholding obligations and/or (iii) make other satisfactory
arrangements with the Executive to satisfy such withholding obligations.

         10.6 Waiver of Breach: Attorneys' Fees. The waiver by the Company or
the Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party
shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other breach of such other
party. Each of the parties to this Agreement will be entitled to enforce its
respective rights under this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing
in its favor. In the event either party takes legal action or commences an
arbitration proceeding to enforce any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement, the nonprevailing party shall pay the successful party's costs and
expenses, including but not limited to, attorneys' fees, incurred in such action
or proceeding.

         10.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed,
applied and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of California,
except that no doctrine of choice of law shall be used to apply any law other
than that of California, and no defense, counterclaim or right of set-off given
or allowed by 



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the laws of any other state or jurisdiction, or arising out of the enactment,
modification or repeal of any law, regulation, ordinance or decree of any
foreign jurisdiction, shall be interposed in any action hereon.

         10.8 Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree and acknowledge
that money damages may not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the
provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement and that the Company may in its sole
discretion apply for specific performance and/or injunctive relief, including
temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions
in order to enforce or prevent any violations of such provisions of this
Agreement.

         10.9 Forum. The Executive and the Company agree that the Bankruptcy
Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any action or proceeding arising
out of this Agreement and enter judgment thereon. The Executive and the Company
consent to in personam jurisdiction with respect to the Bankruptcy Court, agree
that venue will be proper in such courts and waive any objections based upon
forum non conveniens. The choice of forum set forth in this Section 10.9 shall
not be deemed to preclude the enforcement of any judgment obtained in such forum
or the taking of any action under this Agreement to enforce same in any other
jurisdiction.

         10.10 Assignment: Third Parties. The Executive may not assign,
transfer, pledge, hypothecate, encumber or otherwise dispose of this Agreement
or any of his respective rights or obligations hereunder, without the prior
written consent of the Company. Except as expressly provided herein, the Company
may not assign or transfer this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations
hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Executive. The Company may
assign its rights and obligations hereunder to its successor in connection with
a merger, consolidation, sale of assets, acquisition, recapitalization or other
similar transaction (and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Company"
for purposes of this Agreement). The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the respective heirs, legal
representatives and successors of the parties hereto.

         10.11 Prior Understandings. This Agreement, together with the exhibits
and schedules attached hereto which are incorporated herein by this reference,
embodies the entire understanding of the parties hereto and supersedes all other
oral or written agreements or understandings between them regarding the subject
matter hereof. No change, alteration or modification hereof may be made except
in a writing specifically referring hereto and signed by the Executive and the
Chairman of the Board of the Company or his designee. The headings in this
Agreement are for convenience and reference only and shall not be construed as
part of this Agreement or to limit or otherwise affect the meaning 



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hereof. Section references refer to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

         10.12 Further Action. The Executive and the Company agree to perform
any further acts and to execute and deliver any documents which may be
reasonable to carry out the provisions hereof.

         10.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

         10.14 Indemnification. During the Term of Employment and thereafter,
the Company shall indemnify the Executive to the fullest extent permitted by the
bylaws of the Company, and the Executive shall be entitled to the protection of
any insurance policies the Company may elect to maintain generally for the
benefit of its directors and officers, with respect to all expenses, judgments,
fines, settlements and other amounts (including, without limitation, attorneys'
fees) incurred or sustained by the Executive in connection with any action, suit
or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of being or having been
director, officer or employee of the Company or his serving or having served any
other enterprise as a director, officer or employee at the request of the
Company.




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

                                            EXECUTIVE:


                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Paul Hart


                                            COMPANY:
                                            BARRY'S JEWELERS, INC.


                                            By:
                                               ------------------------------
                                               Randy McCullough
                                               Chief Executive Officer





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                                   APPENDIX A

          ANNUAL BONUS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING MAY 31, 1998 - PAUL HART

         For the fiscal year of the Company ending as of 5/31/98, the Executive
shall be entitled to an aggregate Annual Bonus of $4,000.00 payable in
installments upon the achievement of the applicable Annual Bonus Parameters, in
accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             AMOUNT OF BONUS      ANNUAL BONUS PARAMETERS
             ---------------      -----------------------
             <S>                  <C>
                  $4,000          Total owned plus consigned inventory on hand on 12/5/97 equals or
                                  exceeds $71,175,000.

                  $4,000          Cash deposits as of 12/26/97 plus gross accounts receivable as of
                                  12/26/97 plus total owned and consigned inventory on hand on 12/26/97
                                  minus accounts payable as of 12/26/97 matches or exceeds$132,618.000.

                  $4,000          G&A expenses(1) as of 12/26/97 match or lower than $44,258,000.

                  $4,000          Total Availability(2) at end of February 1998 of $4.1 Million and
                                  payables are maintained within agreed upon vendor terms as of February
                                  1998.

                 $20,000          Receipt by November 1, 1997 of 1.4 times the amount of inventory
                                  returned to vendors pursuant to the Trade Financing Agreements by
                                  November 1, 1997 and receipt by February 28, 1998 of 1.4 times the
                                  amount of inventory returned to vendors pursuant to the Trade Financing
                                  Agreements by February 28, 1998.

                 $41,250          Payable if Barry's achieves projected EBITDABB(3) of $1,553,000 for the
                                  FYE 5/31/98.  Such portion shall not be payable until the year-end
                                  results have been audited and any audit adjustments recorded.
</TABLE>


-------

(1)   G&A expenses are the Category II and Category III expenses, as set forth 
in Schedule 4 of the Budget annexed to the Amended Cash Collateral Stipulation.

(2)   Total Availability is defined as excess (or deficit) availability under 
the borrowing base plus total cash balances, as set forth as "Adjusted 
Availability in Schedule 2 of the Budget annexed to the Amended Cash Collateral 
Stipulation.

(3)   EBITDABB is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, 
bonuses and bankruptcy expenses as set forth in the income statements of the
1998 Financial Projections approved by the Board and submitted to the Committees
and the Bank Group on or about November 4, 1997.



                                       15
<PAGE>   16
                                   APPENDIX A

          ANNUAL BONUS FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING MAY 31, 1998 - PAUL HART


         The Executive shall receive each installment of his Annual Bonus that
corresponds to a particular Annual Bonus Parameter within a reasonable time
after such Annual Bonus Parameter has been met; provided that in no event shall
the Executive receive the installment of the Annual Bonus that is based on the
EBITDABB Requirement until after the Company receives final auditing statements
for the fiscal year ending on May 31, 1998. If the Company satisfies an Annual
Bonus Parameter and the Executive thereby becomes entitled to the corresponding
installment of his Annual Bonus, such installment shall remain payable to the
Executive even if the Company fails to satisfy subsequent Annual Bonus
Parameters.





                                       16
<PAGE>   17


                                   APPENDIX B


                         CONFIRMATION BONUS - PAUL HART

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
If Satisfaction Date (as defined in 
the Agreement Occurs)                                 Amount of Confirmation Bonus
---------------------                                 ----------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>     
Before 5/1/98                                              $150,000

Between 5/1/98 and 6/30/98                                 $120,000

Between 7/1/98 and 9/30/98                                 $90,000
</TABLE>



                                       17