This unit requires the application of analytical and manual skills needed in handling rough and cut opal, documenting all details of the opal and putting in place appropriate procedures to control stock and prevent accidental loss, theft or damage to the gems. It may be applied in a range of environments from cutting and polishing to retailing, wholesaling, selling on the Internet or mining.

Where appropriate the outcomes of this unit could be contextualised to apply to other gemstones. Examples of aspects of the unit that may need to be adjusted would include:

the specific properties of each gemstones

industry and market requirements

underpinning knowledge

Range Statement.

This unit may be assessed on its own or it may be assessed with other units that cover related skills and knowledge.

Evidence is most relevant when provided through an integrated activity which combines the Elements of competency for the unit, or a cluster of units of competency.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Handle and store rough and cut opal.

1.1 Document source, origin and types of rough opal.

1.2 Identify appropriate storage conditions and locations for various types and classes of opal.

1.3 Identify ways in which damage might occur to rough and cut opal and take preventative measures.

1.4 Grade opals if required.

1.5 Weigh and bag opals and store appropriately.

2 Use processes that minimise loss and theft.

2.1 Identify areas of risk and evaluate process employed for handling and processing gems.

2.2 Determine strategies for managing risk and ways to safeguard opals.

2.3 Implement risk minimisation strategy.

2.4 Document all facts about the opals and all procedures thoroughly.

3 Control stock.

3.1 Identify an appropriate stock control system.

3.2 Establish procedures for stock control.

3.3 Follow stock control procedures to manage and monitor stock.

3.4 Maintain records of stock.

Required skills:

sample identification

classing

weighing skills

problem solving

recording and stock control procedures.

Required knowledge:

origin of the types and forms of opal

knowledge of types of cutting styles

procedures for handling and storage

areas of risk of theft.

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.

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

Assessment must confirm knowledge of the handling and storage of opal in the work environment.

In particular, assessment must confirm the ability to:

Identify, explain and apply safe and appropriate procedures for the handling and storage of rough or cut and polished opal.

Be able to evaluate the areas where there is risk of loss and theft and follow risk minimising procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed in a work environment, in a simulated work environment or in a combination of these situations.

Method of assessment

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills and other methods as required.

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).

Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the range of variables and contexts applicable to the work environment.

Assessment of this competency requires access to:

various samples of rough and cut opal; scales, storage locations, bags, recording materials

a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

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.

Types of rough opal may include:

composite natural opal - doublets; triplets; mosaic and chip opals

natural opal type 1 (opal in one piece in its natural state apart from cutting and polishing)

natural opal type 2 - opal naturally attached to the host rock - boulder opal

natural opal type 3 - opal intimately diffused as infilling in pores or between the grains of the host rock - matrix opal

varieties of opal:
(N1 to N9 represents gradation form black to white in approximately 10% intervals)

black - opal which shows a play of colour within or on a black or very dark body tone (N1,N2, N3, N4)

dark - opal which shows a play of colour within or on a dark body tone (N5, N6)

light - opal which shows a play of colour within or on a light body tone (N7, N8, N9).

Appropriate storage conditions and locations may include:

depending on the value: in safe; in designated locked cupboard

display boxes/pockets

display cases

individually bagged

not in a dehumidified atmosphere

safes and deposit boxes

under lock and key.

Ways in which damage to rough or cut and polished opal might occur may include:

dehydration

doublets and triplets should not be immersed in water

exposure to halogen lights (12v)

extremes of temperature

general wear and tear

rough handling

surface damage/scratching.

Preventative measures for cut and polished opal may include:

humidifying atmosphere

keeping in bags.

Areas of risk may include:

lack of documentation

misplacement

theft.

Strategies for minimising risk and safeguarding opal may include:

alarm systems

banks (deposit boxes - not in dehumidified boxes or safes)

display cases

insurance

lighting

photographing

safes

scanning

security locks

systematic approach to storage and handling

thorough recording/documenting

use of standard procedures for handling, storage and documentation.

Stock control system may be:

manual or electronic

Note: for small businesses the stock control system may be very simple.

Stock may be:

cutting and polishing consumables

equipment for production cutting

rough or cut opal.

Opal cutting and polishing

This unit contains employability skills.