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

CUVOPA407A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex opals

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency CUVOPA407A - Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex opals
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to perform the pre-cutting processes for boulder and other special opals. It includes documenting and recording all aspects of the procurement and pre-cutting process.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application Those responsible for pre-cutting processes for boulder and black opal and other types of difficult or particularly valuable opal apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.The unit requires knowledge of the processes of opal formation and extensive experience in handling opal of various types as a basis for decision making on how to cut or carve the opal.
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: Identify type of opal rough
  • Undertake preliminary investigations before deciding how to proceed with cutting or carving the opal
  • Review current market requirements and consult with client to determine his/her preference for how opal could be cut
  • Based on knowledge of the geological formation of opal, field from which the opal came and past experience, determine the location of the colour within the rough opal
  • Discuss possible strategies for cutting with colleagues and client as required
  • Determine jewellers’ requirements for products being considered
  • Review the options for cutting and plan cut to achieve the best result
       
Element: Block off the stone (boulder opal)
  • When working with boulder opal, use a series of cuts to block off stone to gain more information about position and quality of the opal present in the stone and determine best gem outcomes from that piece of boulder
  • Identify position of opal and minimise waste when making cuts
  • If appropriate, split block opal along fault lines
       
Element: Expose the colour
  • Use appropriate equipment to expose the colour without removing gem material
  • Select the correct grinding wheels and grits for a given piece
       
Element: Decide on whether to cut and/or carve the opal
  • Review the stone, determine the directionality and decide on the final outcome to be achieved
  • Remove unwanted material and prepare the stone for final processing
  • Select the way to cut the stone for the best artistic and commercial return
       


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:

make sound decisions about the final outcome to be achieved and complete all pre-cutting and pre-forming 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 opal-cutting 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 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 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

problem-solving skills to deal with complications in the pre-cutting 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.

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.

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
Undertake preliminary investigations before deciding how to proceed with cutting or carving the opal 
Review current market requirements and consult with client to determine his/her preference for how opal could be cut 
Based on knowledge of the geological formation of opal, field from which the opal came and past experience, determine the location of the colour within the rough opal 
Discuss possible strategies for cutting with colleagues and client as required 
Determine jewellers’ requirements for products being considered 
Review the options for cutting and plan cut to achieve the best result 
When working with boulder opal, use a series of cuts to block off stone to gain more information about position and quality of the opal present in the stone and determine best gem outcomes from that piece of boulder 
Identify position of opal and minimise waste when making cuts 
If appropriate, split block opal along fault lines 
Use appropriate equipment to expose the colour without removing gem material 
Select the correct grinding wheels and grits for a given piece 
Review the stone, determine the directionality and decide on the final outcome to be achieved 
Remove unwanted material and prepare the stone for final processing 
Select the way to cut the stone for the best artistic and commercial return 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CUVOPA407A - Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex 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:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

CUVOPA407A - Apply advanced pre-cutting processes to complex 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: