Certificate IV in Opal Cutting and Polishing

This qualification reflects the role of a competent and experienced opal cutter and polisher. The individual is able to advise others on the characteristics of cut and uncut opals, and work with the gemstones to produce high quality cut and polished opal products. The qualification also supports options for industry outcomes that see operators establishing small and micro businesses.


Subjects

Total number of units = 16

10 core units plus

6 elective units

The elective units consist of:

up to 6 from the list of elective units below

up to 6 from Certificate III or above in any currently endorsed Training Package

up to 2 from an accredited course at Certificate III, IV or Diploma.

The elective units chosen must be relevant to the work outcome and meet local industry needs.

Core units

add topic BSBOHS201A Participate in OHS processes

add topic CUVOPA201A Identify and assess opal

add topic CUVOPA202A Handle and store rough and cut opal

add topic CUVOPA203A Complete pre-cutting processes for solid opals

add topic CUVOPA204A Cut and polish solid opals

add topic CUVOPA205A Complete pre-cutting processes for opal doublets and triplets

add topic CUVOPA206A Cut and polish opal doublets and triplets

add topic CUVOPA401A Use opal carving tools

add topic CUVOPA405A Obtain opal

add topic CUVOPA408A Undertake routine operational maintenance of machinery

Elective units

Art, craft and design

add topic CUVACD302A Produce computer-aided drawings

add topic CUVACD303A Produce technical drawings

add topic CUVACD401A Integrate colour theory and design processes

add topic CUVACD502A Create observational drawings

Design

add topic BSBDES301A Explore the use of colour

add topic BSBDES302A Explore and apply the creative design process to 2D forms

add topic BSBDES303A Explore and apply the creative design process to 3D forms

add topic BSBDES304A Source and apply design industry knowledge

add topic BSBDES305A Source and apply information on the history and theory of design

add topic BSBDES401A Generate design solutions

add topic BSBDES402A Interpret and respond to a design brief

add topic BSBDES403A Develop and extend design skills and practice

E-business

add topic BSBEBU401A Review and maintain a website

add topic SITXICT001A Build and launch a website for a small business

Information technology

add topic BSBITU305A Conduct online transactions

Opal cutting and polishing

add topic CUVOPA402A Production cut and polish opal

add topic CUVOPA403A Use a faceting machine

add topic CUVOPA404A Cut opal spheres and beads

add topic CUVOPA406A Identify the requirements for establishing an opal-cutting workshop

add topic CUVOPA407A Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex opals

Small and micro business

add topic BSBSMB301A Investigate micro business opportunities

add topic BSBSMB302A Develop a micro business proposal

add topic BSBSMB303A Organise finances for the micro business

add topic BSBSMB304A Determine resource requirements for the micro business

add topic BSBSMB305A Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for the micro business

add topic BSBSMB306A Plan a home based business

add topic BSBSMB307A Set up information and communications technology for the micro business

add topic BSBSMB401A Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business

add topic BSBSMB402A Plan small business finances

add topic BSBSMB403A Market the small business

add topic BSBSMB404A Undertake small business planning

add topic BSBSMB405A Monitor and manage small business operations

add topic BSBSMB406A Manage small business finances

add topic BSBSMB408B Manage personal, family, cultural and business obligations

Visual communication

add topic CUFDIG201A Maintain interactive content

add topic CUVJWL201A Develop jewellery-making skills

add topic CUVJWL301A Produce jewellery

add topic CUVPHI302A Capture photographic images

add topic CUVPHI403A Apply photo imaging lighting techniques

add topic MEM19007B * Perform gemstone setting

Workplace effectiveness

add topic BSBWOR301A Organise personal work priorities and development

add topic BSBWOR401A Establish effective workplace relationships

add topic BSBWOR403A Manage stress in the workplace

add topic BSBWOR404B Develop work priorities

*Note the following prerequisite unit requirement.

Unit code and title

Prerequisite unit required

add topic MEM19007B Perform gemstone setting

add topic MEM12023A Perform engineering measurements

add topic MEM18001C Use hand tools

add topic MEM18002B Use power tools/hand held operations

add topic MEM18003C Use tools for precision work (Prerequisites: MEM12023A Perform engineering measurements, MEM18001C Use hand tools and MEM18002B Use power tools/hand held operations)

add topic MEM19003B Handle gem materials equivalent to CUVOPA202A Handle and store rough and cut opal

Selecting electives for different outcomes

The following examples are designed to assist in the selection of appropriate electives for particular outcomes at this level, but are in no way prescriptive.

A person running a small cutting and polishing workshop

Core units plus:

add topic BSBSMB304A Determine resource requirements for the micro business

add topic BSBSMB305A Comply with regulatory, taxation and insurance requirements for the micro business

add topic BSBSMB306A Plan a home based business

add topic CUVOPA406A Identify the requirements for establishing an opal-cutting workshop

add topic CUVOPA407A Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex opals

add topic CUVOPA408A Undertake routine operational maintenance of machinery

A person doing some cutting and trading online

Core units plus:

add topic BSBEBU401A Review and maintain a website

add topic BSBITU305A Conduct online transactions

add topic CUFDIG201A Maintain interactive content

add topic CUVOPA407A Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex opals

add topic CUVOPA408A Undertake routine operational maintenance of machinery

add topic SITXICT001A Build and launch a website for a small business


Pathways...

    Pathways into the qualification

    People may enter this qualification with little or no vocational experience and without a lower level qualification.

    Pathways from the qualification

    This qualification prepares people for work in the opal industry and may also provide pathways to other jewellery and design qualifications.


Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.


Employability Skills

The following table contains a summary of the employability skills as identified by the visual arts, craft and design industries for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.

Employability skill

Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification

Communication

sharing information with others

discussing opal buying preferences with colleagues and others in the industry

clarifying legal and regulatory requirements with others

negotiating the acquisition of rough opal supplies

describing features of products to customers

Teamwork

showing respect when communicating with people from diverse backgrounds

discussing possible strategies for cutting opal with colleagues and clients

Problem-solving

identifying and resolving safety issues

identifying whether a sample is genuine natural opal or a simulated opal

identifying and rectifying equipment faults that do not require specialist attention

identifying and correcting faults in opals as items are made

offering solutions to customer objections in a sales situation

Initiative and enterprise

determining where to cut stones to maximise value and artistic effect

deciding on the most appropriate option for acquiring rough opal

determining business goals

maximising sales opportunities with customers

Planning and organising

identifying risk factors and taking action to minimise risk

maintaining stock control and other workplace records

surveying market requirements to determine opal cutting strategies

weighing opals to determine yield

planning and executing the process of cutting and polishing opals

planning and performing routine maintenance of equipment

developing and implementing procedures for acquiring rough opal

developing budgets and managing financial operations

investigating resources needed to set up an opal-cutting workshop

Self-management

following workplace procedures, particularly in relation to OHS

maintaining personal safety standards

managing own time to meet deadlines

Learning

seeking assistance and advice from others to improve one’s own skills and knowledge

seeking assistance and expert advice from equipment manufacturers

seeking expert legal advice

Technology

using security systems

using cameras and scanning equipment

using electronic stock control systems

using the internet for research

using equipment and tools to cut and polish opals