Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

Investigate markets for opal products
- Review the market for cut and polished opals
- Identify the market segment for which the opal is to be obtained
Investigate sources of rough opal
Source opal
- Comply with accepted protocols and ethics when sourcing opal
- Use negotiation to solve problems and finalise interaction

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to

contact sellers and bargain for rough opal

effectively negotiate to obtain opal

show respect when communicating with people from diverse backgrounds

work with people from diverse backgrounds

critical thinking and analytical skills to

investigate sources and markets for rough opal

assess the value of a parcel or individual stone

initiative and enterprise skills to negotiate for opals and comply with accepted protocols and ethics

problemsolving skills to handle contingencies and finalise interaction

numeracy skills to negotiate price in obtaining opals

Required knowledge

sources of opal

industry protocol and ethics

potential markets

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

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the ability to

identify sources and methods for obtaining opals advantages and disadvantages of each and the accepted procedures and protocols for obtaining rough opal

obtain rough opal

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

various samples of rough opal and suppliers of rough opal

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of processes and procedures

oral andor written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills

review of portfolios of evidence

review of thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by candidate

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

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended

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 retail and wholesale jewellers rock and gem shows souvenir markets.
Sources of rough opal may include:	gem and rock clubs internet lapidary supply shops mining operation noodling opal buyers opal miners opal-specific stores retail rock shops rock and gem shows trading newspapers trash and treasure meets wholesale opal dealers.
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 the opal has been classed and how long it has been for sale.
Protocol and ethics may include:	binding nature of handshake 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.