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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  August 5, 2004
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                                ZALE CORPORATION
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware                          001-04129                   75-0675400
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(State or other                  (Commission                (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                   File Number)               Identification No.)
incorporation)


901 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, Texas                      75038-1003
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(Address of principle executive offices)                      (Zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:           (972) 580-4000
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                                 Not Applicable
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)



Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     On August 5, 2004, Zale  Corporation  issued a press release  reporting its
sales results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 31, 2004. A copy
of the press  release is being  furnished  as Exhibit  99.1 and is  incorporated
herein by reference.

     The  information  set forth under this Item 12 and in Exhibit 99.1 is being
furnished  and shall not be deemed  "filed"  for  purposes  of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated
by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933,  except as shall be
expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

99.1            Press Release of Zale Corporation issued August 5, 2004.



                                   SIGNATURES

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




        ZALE  CORPORATION
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        Registrant


Date:   August 5, 2004                             By: /s/ Cynthia T. Gordon
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                                                   Cynthia T. Gordon
                                                   Senior Vice President,
                                                   Controller
                                                   (principle accounting officer
                                                   of the registrant)




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