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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify type of opal rough
  2. Block off the stone (boulder opal)
  3. Expose the colour
  4. Decide on whether to cut and/or carve the opal

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to discuss cutting strategies with clients and colleagues

planning and organising skills to

choose appropriate equipment

select the way to cut the stone for best artistic and commercial return

problemsolving skills to deal with complications in the precutting stage as well as OHS or safety issues

numeracy skills to use numerical features of machinery

technical skills to

make sound decisions to achieve best colour and yield

determine the position of the colour in a boulder opal

use appropriate equipment

apply OHS principles and safe operating procedures

Required knowledge

characteristics of opal gemstone structure and formation

importance of achieving yield when cutting a gemstone

market trends

jewellers and industry requirements

OHS principles and safe operating procedures for cutting machinery including

appropriate procedures for dealing with emissions

complying with the safe operating procedures for each machine

using personal protective equipment PPE where required

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

make sound decisions about the final outcome to be achieved and complete all precutting and preforming processes for boulder black and especially valuable or difficult opals

demonstrate knowledge of geological formation and structure of opal

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit requires access to an opalcutting workshop

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

evaluation of the final product

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.

Appropriate equipment may include:

Asahi wheel

diamond grinder

diamond sawing

free-hand saw

nova wheel

silicon carbide grinder

slab saw

trim saw.

Unwanted material may include:

cotton and gypsum

cracked material

crockery

iron stone

materials with inclusions or stains

matrix (in black opal as a unwanted inclusion)

poor colour

potch

sandstone.