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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Investigate markets for opal products.
  2. Investigate the sources of rough opal and methods of obtaining the opal form each source.
  3. Use effective communication skills to obtain opal.
  4. Obtain opal.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

To achieve competency in this unit a person must be able to identify sources of rough opal and obtain the rough opal

The assessment must confirm that sources and the methods advantages and disadvantages of each and the protocol for obtaining rough opal can be identified The person would have to be able to explain exactly what they would have to do to obtain opal for a variety of sources following accepted procedures and protocol

Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the range of variables and contexts applicable to the work environment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed in a work environment in a simulated work environment or in a combination of these situations

Method of assessment

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures oral andor written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills and other methods as required

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands eg literacy and the needs of particular groups eg people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English remote communities and those with interrupted schooling

Assessment of this competency requires access to

various samples of rough opal and suppliers of rough opal

a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Market for cut and polished opals may include:

boutique jewellers

craft stores or markets

gemstone dealers

hobby jewellers

internet auction sites

internet marketing

jewellers retail

jewellers wholesale

rock and gem shows

souvenir market.

Sources of rough opal may include:

gem and rock clubs

internet

lapidary supply shop

mining operation

noodling

opal buyer

opal miner

opal specific store

retail rock shop

rock and gem shows

trading news papers

trash and treasure meets

wholesale opal dealer.

Buying parcels of classed opal may include:

considering whether the whole parcel is of use and determining whether to on-sell a segment of the parcel

determining whether the price is appropriate

negotiating the price

paying extra for segment

splitting the parcel

understanding how the parcel price was established

verifying the origin, who has seen the parcel, that it has been classed and how long it has been for sale.

Communication techniques include:

active listening

asking open ended questions

clear speech

giving accurate information

respecting others' point of view.

Protocol and ethics may include:

binding nature of hand-shake deals

complying with noodling requirements

ensuring agreement of all parties

keeping transactions between parties private

making appointments before visiting

not entering unattended claims or property

respecting privacy and property.

Diverse backgrounds may include:

age

culture

ethnic origin

language

race

religion

sex

socio economic status.