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.
Not applicable.
1. Work with 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 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 minimising risk and safeguarding 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 Follow stock control procedures to monitor and manage stock 3.3 Maintain records of stock |
Required skills
communication skills to document key information
critical thinking and analytical skills to assess areas of risk
literacy skills to document operational information
planning and organising skills to organise storage and stock control
problem-solving skills to monitor situations and adjust actions accordingly
numeracy skills to use stock control systems and make basic calculations
technical skills to use appropriate handling and storage.
Required knowledge
origin of the types and forms of opal
types of cutting styles
procedures for handling and storing opal
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.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: identify, explain and apply safe and appropriate procedures for the handling and storage of rough or cut and polished opal evaluate the areas where there is risk of loss and theft and follow risk minimising procedures. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: various samples of rough and cut opal bags recording materials scales storage locations. |
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 of 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. |
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: 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 or in designated locked cupboard display boxes and pockets display cases individually bagged humidified atmosphere safes and deposit boxes. |
Ways in which damage might occur may include: | dehydration exposure to halogen lights extremes of temperature general wear and tear immersion in water rough handling surface damage and scratching. |
Preventative measures 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) display cases insurance lighting photographing safes scanning security locks systematic approach to storage and handling thorough recording and documenting use of standard procedures for handling, storage and documentation. |
Stock control system may be: | manual or electronic very simple in the case of small businesses. |
Stock may be: | cutting and polishing consumables equipment for production cutting rough or cut opal. |
Opal cutting and polishing
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.