Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

CUVOPA203A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Complete pre-cutting processes for solid opals

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUVOPA203A - Complete pre-cutting processes for solid opals
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to determine market needs for solid opals as a basis for decision making, to plan the stones to be cut and complete the pre-cutting processes. It includes documenting and recording all aspects of the procurement and cutting process.This unit requires the application of research skills to determine market preferences for buying cut and polished opal so that decisions can be made on how to cut the opal to gain the best yield and show of colour. It also covers the ability to carry out all the pre-cutting planning, cleaning and pre-forming of the gemstone while working safely with materials and equipment
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application Advanced processes needed for pre-cutting black and boulder opals are covered in CUVOPA407A Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex opals.Where appropriate the outcomes of this unit could be contextualised to apply to other gemstones
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Survey market requirements as a basis for making a decision on opal cutting strategy
  • Establish current client cut and polished opal-buying preferences in the retail and wholesale markets
  • Determine the internet buying preferences for cut and polished opal
  • Document client buying preferences for cut and polished opal
       
Element: Weigh opal and record information
  • Weigh opal before cleaning as a basis for determining yield
  • Record relevant information
       
Element: Clean and orient opal to determine yields and shape
  • Make an assessment of the stone and consult with supervisor, colleagues, client or other appropriate persons
  • Rub down to expose the colour face using appropriate equipment
  • Determine best orientation for gemstone
  • Establish the top and bottom of the stone
  • Remove unwanted material
  • Check for internal flaws with powerful light source
  • Cut stone to maximise value, taking yield and colour play into consideration
       
Element: Process opal to pre-form state
  • Remove unwanted material from the planned gemstone using appropriate equipment
  • Grind to the desired shape
  • Check for internal flaws and correct if necessary
  • Follow general OHS principles and safe operating procedures when using tools, equipment and materials
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

apply knowledge of current retail, wholesale and internet buying trends

make decisions on what the final product should be and how to cut the stone to achieve the desired outcome, maximising the yield and colour play from each stone

safely complete cleaning, shaping and pre-forming.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

a computer

an opal-cutting workshop with stones and equipment.

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 and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills

evaluation of the final product

review of portfolios of evidence

review of third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. 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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

document buying preferences and technical data

consult with others about opal assessments

critical thinking and analytical skills to assess stones

literacy skills to interpret information about buying preferences

problem-solving skills to identify flaws and maximise yields

numeracy skills to make basic calculations and use numerical features of machinery

technology skills to source information from the internet and use cutting machinery.

Required knowledge

characteristics of opal gemstone structure

importance of achieving yield when cutting a gemstone

market trends and industry requirements for opal products

safety issues associated with opal-cutting machinery.

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.

Determining opal-buying preferences may involve:

accessing internet auction sites

accessing internet opal-specific sites

making contact with opal dealers

making contact with opal cutters

phoning jewellery wholesalers and other jewellers

talking with local jewellery store owners

targeting specialist opal stores.

Relevant information to be recorded may include:

date of purchase

description of stone

description of area where mined

mining lease number

number of classes

purchase price

vendor

weight.

Appropriate equipment may include:

cleaning equipment

diamond grinder

diamond saw

free-hand saw

silicon carbide grinder

slab saw

trim saw.

Unwanted material may include:

cracked material

iron stone

materials with inclusions or stains

matrix

poor colour

potch

sandstone.

General OHS principles and safe operating procedures may include:

complying with safe operating procedures for each machine

good housekeeping, in particular avoiding contaminants

using personal protective equipment (PPE) where required.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Establish current client cut and polished opal-buying preferences in the retail and wholesale markets 
Determine the internet buying preferences for cut and polished opal 
Document client buying preferences for cut and polished opal 
Weigh opal before cleaning as a basis for determining yield 
Record relevant information 
Make an assessment of the stone and consult with supervisor, colleagues, client or other appropriate persons 
Rub down to expose the colour face using appropriate equipment 
Determine best orientation for gemstone 
Establish the top and bottom of the stone 
Remove unwanted material 
Check for internal flaws with powerful light source 
Cut stone to maximise value, taking yield and colour play into consideration 
Remove unwanted material from the planned gemstone using appropriate equipment 
Grind to the desired shape 
Check for internal flaws and correct if necessary 
Follow general OHS principles and safe operating procedures when using tools, equipment and materials 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUVOPA203A - Complete pre-cutting processes for solid opals
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

CUVOPA203A - Complete pre-cutting processes for solid opals

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: