SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Perform lapidary procedures in a jewellery environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261446  Perform lapidary procedures in a jewellery environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  15 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard is replaced by: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
421880  Perform lapidary procedures in a jewellery environment  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  15   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to perform basic lapidary procedures in the jewellery industry.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of semi-precious gemstones required to perform lapidary procedures.
  • Prepare the gemstones for lapidary procedures.
  • Demonstrate the application of lapidary procedures. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The following range is applicable to this unit standard:
  • Lapidary is the drilling, sawing, trimming, cutting, grinding, shaping, inscribing and polishing of semi-precious gemstones. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge of semi-precious gemstones required to perform lapidary procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Methods of identifying gemstones are described in accordance with common basic gemstone identification techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The properties of the gemstones are described in terms of their physical structure. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Physical properties must include:
  • Colour, size, cut and shape.
  • Lustre and finish.
  • Hardness and brittleness.
  • Heat resistance.
  • Chemical resistance.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The different types of inclusions and imperfections are identified and their potential causes described in terms of the developmental process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Methods of corrective action are described in terms of the process and required results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Consequences of incorrect gemstone identification and size calculations are described in terms of the impact on productivity and quality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare the gemstone for lapidary procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools, materials and equipment are identified and selected for a specific purpose in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The gemstones are prepared to job specifications and within an agreed timeframe. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools and equipment are used according to their design and purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of not adhering to the specified requirements for the preparation of gemstones for lapidary procedures, housekeeping and safe working practices are described in terms of the potential impact it will have on occupational health and safety, productivity and quality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Process gemstones by means of lapidary procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools, materials and equipment are selected in accordance with manufacturer requirements for the given task. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The gemstones are processed using accepted lapidary procedures according to jewellery manufacturing requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Tools and equipment are used according to manufacturer's specifications and jewellery manufacturing requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of not adhering to application of lapidary procedures, good housekeeping and safe working practices are described in terms of the potential impact on occupational health, safety, productivity and quality. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    Knowledge relating to performing lapidary procedure sin the jewellery environment:
  • Knowledge of some gemstone manufacturing processes.
  • Exposure to some gemstone manufacturing processes.
  • Distinguish poor gemstone processing quality from acceptable quality.

    Processes and events:
  • Knowledge of some gemstone manufacturing processes.
  • Exposure to some gemstone manufacturing processes.
  • Distinguish poor gemstone manufacturing quality from acceptable quality.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of equipment.
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Adherence to safety requirements.
  • Work related hazards and associated risks.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Note: The ability of the learner to conceptualise the gemstones and to determine the optimal configuration, requires critical and creative thinking to solve problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note: The ability and willingness of the learner to accept responsibility to assess, calculate, cut and polish and apply other lapidary procedures to the gemstones in an appropriate manner indicates the ability to work effectively as a team member within the structure of the organisation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note: The security and accountability for gemstones and the complying with good housekeeping and security practices indicates the learner's ability to organise and manage activities in the work environment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note: The ability of the learner to analyse the features of gemstones requires the assimilation of a variety of information and the ability to relate the potential product for lapidary against market conditions indicates the learner's ability to analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.

    Note: The ability of the learner to indicate the potential outcomes of gemstones when applying lapidary procedures, indicates the learner's ability to communicate effectively through visual and language skills. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

    Note: The ability to use appropriate tools and equipment to cut and polish gemstones, demonstrates the critical use of science and technology in the processing of information and the safeguarding of the material, the environment, fellow workers and oneself. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: The ability to relate the envisaged polished gemstones to market valuation requires understanding of the forces of supply, manufacturing, finance and supply requiring problem solving to be assessed against a set of related systems which are dynamic in nature. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This Unit Standard will be replaced by Unit Standard 421880, which is "Perform lapidary procedures in a jewellery environment", Level 4, 15 credits, as soon as 421880 is registered.


    Terminology:

    Lapidary is the drilling, sawing, trimming, cutting, grinding, shaping, inscribing and polishing of semi-precious gemstones.

    Specified Requirements:

    Specified requirements include legal and workplace specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal:
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other Standards.

    Site Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practices.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.

    Jewellery Industry Requirements:
  • Working Guides.
  • User manuals supplied by equipment manufacturer.
  • The Bargaining Council for the Jewellery and Precious Metals Industry Main Agreement.
  • The employer's work specifications, tariff agreements and policies and Procedures.
  • Regulations as per directives from the Gold and Diamond Branch of the Southern African Police.
  • ISO 9000/1, SANS and other accredited standards and quality assurance measures.
  • A glossary of terms regarding the terminology of the Jewellery Industry. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65209   National Certificate: Jewellery Manufacturing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.