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                                                                   Exhibit 10.53

                         MICHAEL ANTHONY JEWELERS, INC.
                           8.61% SENIOR NOTE DUE 2002


$500,000                                                            June 5, 1992

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, MICHAEL ANTHONY JEWELERS, INC., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), hereby promises to pay to Farm Bureau
Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan or registered assigns, by wire transfer of
federal or other immediately available funds to MFRS/Detroit #072000339, F/A/O:
Farm Bureau Mutual Acct. #84551, Attn: Sue Blanchette, Department 530, Trust
Acct. Income Unit, with sufficient information to identify the source and
application of funds, in lawful money of the United States, the principal sum of
FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000) in eight consecutive annual
installments of $55,555.56 each on May 15 of each year commencing May 15, 1994,
with a final installment of $55,555.52 payable on May 15, 2002, and to pay
interest in like money on the unpaid balance hereof at the rate of 8.61% per
annum (provided that solely for the purpose of determining the portion of annual
interest allocable to any interest payment, it shall be assumed that a year is
comprised of 360 days and twelve 30-day months) from the date hereof, payable
quarterly, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 in each year
commencing August 15, 1992, until payment in full of the principal hereof.

         If all or any portion of the principal amount of or interest on this
Note shall not be paid on or before the fifteenth day after the date on which
such payment was due, such principal (and, if so permitted by law, such
interest) shall bear interest at a rate equal to the lower of 10.61% per annum
(computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months) or
the highest rate permitted by law from the date of non-payment until paid in
full.

         This Note is given pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement the
("Agreement") entered into among the Company and Northern Life Insurance
Company, Royal Maccabees Life Insurance Company, The North Atlantic Life
Insurance Company of America, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company of Michigan, FB
Annuity Company and Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Michigan dated as of
May 1, 1992. As provided in the Agreement, this Note is subject to voluntary
prepayment, subject to the conditions specified in the Agreement.

         As provided in the Agreement, this Note is secured by the Security
Agreement referred to therein.

         As provided in the Agreement, this Note is transferable only on the
Note Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for transfer, duly
endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed by
the registered holder hereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing. The
undersigned may treat the person in whose name this Note is registered as the
owner hereof for the purpose of receiving payment and for all other purposes,
and the undersigned shall not be affected by the notice to the contrary.

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         In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Agreement, shall occur,
the principal of this Note may be declared due and payable in the manner and
with the effect provided in the Agreement.


                                                MICHAEL ANTHONY JEWELERS, INC.


                                                By: /s/ Allan Corn
                                                    --------------------------
                                                    Its: Chief Financial Officer

                                                And /s/ Michael Wager
                                                    --------------------------
                                                    Its: Secretary