Don't let the security lock on the door fool you. It's merely a precaution. Mr. Nucci is just like every other Cagliese. Give the buzzer a simple ring and he will gladly come from his back room workshop to show you his selection of jewelry, from the modest to the extravagant.

The jewelry shop makes a few concessions to the fashions of the day with a smattering of tennis bracelets and mass-produced Swatch watches. However, it is the historical replicas that attract an international clientele. Mr. Nucci gets his ideas from the "Sculpta Greco," a collection of books depicting the designs of the classicl period. [He shows an example of his original works in the pictures on the left.]

Despite his talent, Nucci wasn't always a skilled artisan. In fact his calling came much later in life. The Cagli native traveled to Rome as a young man, worked as a teacher for 23 years, and after retirement, moved to Florence where he trained as a goldsmith. He was intrigued by the ancient Greco-Roman style and wanted to continue this artistic tradition in his second career.

Having mastered his craft, he returned to his hometown. Tranquil Cagli has proven to be the perfect place to exhibit his extraordinary talent as well as raise his family. Nucci thinks Cagli exemplifies a safe and warm community.

Since 1990 Nucci has been hard at work in his shop creating delicate gold and silver masterpieces. In the tradition of the small negozi (shop) Nucci anticipate his son, Alessandro, 17, will join the business. Alessandro trains with his father and is beginning to master the craft. He currently is able to produce his own works in silver. His style isn't like his fathers. His chains and rings are contemporary but lose none of the classical appeal.

When the shop is locked and the piazza comes to life, an American visitor points toward the darkly handsome Alessandro.

"Who is that?" she asks.

"Everyone knows Alessandro,"comes the reply. "He's the jeweler's son."

Very soon he will be the jeweler, taking over for where his father left off and continuing the tradition of the Cagliese artisan.