On Oct. 24, Bailey's Fine Jewelry will host a technology-driven scavenger hunt in downtown Raleigh.

The prize: a trademark black-and-white striped Bailey box with a $20,000 diamond ring inside.

The treasure hunt will kick off at noon at the state Capitol. Participants will receive clues via text message. The first one to find the box gets to keep it.

The company says the scavenger hunt is the ultimate version of a promotion it began last year in which Bailey's employees would leave gifts inside Bailey boxes in randomly selected locations around town for unsuspecting people to find (and keep).

To participate in the Oct. 24 contest, you must register first. Here's the Web site.

Need a reason to skip part of work on Thursday?

The Bailey's Fine Jewelry Big Sale.

Apparently, this sale is so popular with customers, the store in Cameron Village
has already been receiving calls from customers asking when it will be.

The Big Sale (which really should be called the Big and Old Sale since it's been going annually for 25 years) starts at 10 a.m. Thursday.

And from what I hear, it's going to be the biggest one yet in terms of overall volume and variety of sale items.

What to expect? Well, they aren't telling too much. But it's safe to say that diamond jewelry, colored stone jewelry, estate jewelry, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and watches will be marked down at least 20 percent. Some will be marked down 70 percent, which is the largest
discount that general manager Trey Bailey can remember. A bunch will be priced 40 percent lowe

What's not on sale? Solitaire diamonds (sorry to those of you hoping to send your sweetie in for an engagement ring) and certain designer lines.

And it's not just the Cam Vill store either. The sale is happening in Rocky Mount and Greenville, too.