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: 

Set irregularly shaped and fancy cut gemstones 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261450  Set irregularly shaped and fancy cut gemstones 
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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to set irregularly shaped and fancy cut gemstones in a Bezel, Claw and Bead setting.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Set gemstones.
  • Finish set gemstones. 
    		•

    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 applies to this unit standard:
  • Stones must be set in the following types of setting:
    > Bezel setting.
    > Claw setting.
    > Bead setting.
  • Irregularly shaped stones are stones that have irregular outlines and/or irregular proportions; this is often found in natural faceted stones, i.e. the pavilion (also known as the belly) is often cut unevenly, which complicates the setting process.
  • Fancy cut stones refer to shapes other than round. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Set gemstones. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
  • Gemstones must be set in a bezel, claw and bead setting.
  • Gemstones for a bezel and claw setting must include:
    > An irregularly shaped gemstone.
    > An irregularly proportioned gemstone.
    > A fancy cut gemstone.
  • Gemstones for a bead setting must include:
    > An irregularly proportioned gemstone.
    > A fancy cut gemstone. 
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools, materials and equipment are used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The stone is inspected in accordance with industry quality standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The stone is secured in the setting according to jewellery manufacturing requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Housekeeping and safe working practices are adhered to and demonstrated in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of not adhering to correct workmanship, housekeeping and safe working practices are described in terms of the potential impact on occupational health and safety, productivity and quality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Finish set gemstones. 
    OUTCOME NOTES 
    'Finish' refers to bright cutting, mille-grain and other decorative finishes that are applied after the gemstones have been secured. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tools, materials and equipment are used in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The finish is executed according to industry standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Housekeeping and safe working practices are adhered to and demonstrated in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequences of not adhering to correct workmanship, housekeeping and safe working practices are described in terms of the potential impact on occupational health and 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 setting irregularly shaped and fancy cut gemstones:
  • Knowledge of the different types of setting techniques.
  • Knowledge of the setting tools, materials and equipment.
  • Knowledge of Basic gem identification.

    Processes and events:
  • Knowledge of various jewellery polishing processes.
  • Exposure to various jewellery polishing processes.
  • Distinguish poor jewellery polishing 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 set irregular shaped and fancy cut gemstones and to determine the optimal configuration of 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 liaise with relevant members of the production team indicates the ability to work effectively in a team. 

    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 incorporate the gemstones into jewellery requires the assimilation of a variety of information. This 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 demonstrate the potential outcome of gemstones setting 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 set 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 gem encrusted jewel 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 
    Terminology:
  • Bezel: A hollow metal cylinder into which stones are set (Also known as chenier, tube, or box).
  • Claws: Rods of metal that face upwards to hold (embed) a stone. Claws are also known as prongs in the industry.
  • Beads: Small burs of metal that are raised by digging the scorper into the metal and lifting it.
  • 'Finish' refers to bright cutting, mille-grain and other decorative finishes that are applied after the gemstones have been secured.

    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.