SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Occupational Certificate: Diamond and Gemstone Setter 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
118092  Occupational Certificate: Diamond and Gemstone Setter 
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner - MQA 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate  Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology  Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  540  Not Applicable  NQF Level 04  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0522/24  2021-03-25  2025-12-31 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31   2029-12-31  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Occupational Certificate: Diamond and Gemstone Setter is to prepare a learner to operate as a Diamond and Gemstone Setter. A Diamond and Gemstone Setter sets the stone and gems into a jewellery item to enhance the appearance of, to add value and to complete a jewellery item.

A qualified learner will be able to:
  • Prepare for stone setting.
  • Conduct basic stone setting.
  • Refurbish jewellery item and replace the stone.
  • Perform advanced and complex stone setting in a variety of jewellery items.

    Rationale:
    The qualification is aimed at aspirant artisans who wish to start or follow a career in the jewellery manufacturing industry and specialise in gem and diamond setting. Diamond and gemstone setting requires the mastery of a large number of specialised skills, all of which require a high degree of comprehensive training, practice and workplace experience.

    At present, individual businesses provide in-house training programmes. However, none of these training programmes produce qualified setters. As a result, several individuals within the industry possess the necessary skills but are not recognised as qualified setters. Individual businesses, including small businesses, provide training through shadowing and direct personal training. A recognised, formal and accredited qualification will be of great benefit to the industry given the extreme shortage of qualified diamond and Gemstone Setters. The skill levels of setters may vary, from basic skill workers who will be utilised in the mass manufacturing environment, to highly specialised and expert practitioners (qualified setters) that will typically provide high-end setting services required by the high-end business.

    The majority of Diamond and Gemstone Setters work as entrepreneurs, as service providers to sectors of the jewellery manufacturing community who, for several reasons, do not employ their diamond setters.

    The qualification will contribute towards the continued beneficiation of resources in South Africa, vital in a time when the global market offers great competition in this field. The holders of such a qualification will add to the value chain in the industry, and will ideally be able to work in many and diverse manufacturing facilities, ranging from small enterprises that employ only a few artisans, to medium-sized businesses and large mass production concerns that employ a large number of Goldsmiths and Diamond and Gemstone Setters. This will enhance the national capacity to operate in the global marketplace.

    The individual learners qualified as Setters can grow into Master Setters, progress to managing individual businesses as entrepreneurs while, within existing businesses, individuals can go into production management. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record.

    RPL for access to the Qualification:
    Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • NQF Level 2 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

    Knowledge Modules:
  • 661302-000-00-00-KM-01, Introduction to Stone Setting, Level 3, 38 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-KM-02, Diamond and Gemstone Setter Theory, Level 3, 15 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-KM-03, Advanced Setting, Level 4, 56 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 109

    Practical Skill Modules:
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-01, Conduct Basic Setting Techniques, Level 3, 48 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-02, Prepare for Stone Setting, Level 3, 40 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-03, Conduct Basic Setting, Level 3, 10 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-04, Identify and Examine Gemstones, Level 3, 8 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-05, Set Stones in a Variety of Jewellery Items, Level 4, 48 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-06, Set Stones in a Variety of Settings, Level 4, 24 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-07, Set Stones in Complex Jewellery Using Advanced Setting Techniques, Level 4, 30 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-PM-08, Remove, Reset & Replace Stones into Jewellery Items, Level 4, 10 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 128

    Work Experience Modules:
  • 661302-000-00-00-WM-01, Preparation Processes for Setting, Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-WM-02, Health and Safety for Stone Setting Workshop Processes and Tools, Level 3, 5 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-WM-03, Stone Setting Processes, Level 3, 25 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-WM-04, Removal and Resetting of Stones and Restoring pf Jewellery Items, Level 4, 25 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00WM-05, Specialised and Advanced Setting Processes, Level 4, 148 Credits.
  • 661302-000-00-00-WM-06, Material, Tools Consumables Management Processes, Level 4, 5 Credits.
    Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 213 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Prepare the workbench and workspace, tools, materials and equipment to be ready for setting stones into a variety of jewellery items.
    2. Perform a variety of different setting and finishing techniques using a combination of different shapes and types of stones to enhance and add value to a variety of complex jewellery items. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Select correct tools, material and equipment and apply health and safety aspects to these processes in accordance with the standard operating procedures and health and safety requirements.
  • Optimise the space on the workbench to arrange the setting tools, materials and equipment done to facilitate productivity.
  • Perform the process to check the stones in terms of the job requirements in line with industry standards.
  • Plan and prepare tools for setting to comply with stone setting standards.
  • Prepare a variety of jewellery items to meet job specifications.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use setting tools, equipment and consumables according to their designated functions.
  • Achieve the different setting techniques and types of settings, using a variety of different types and shapes of stones in terms of the job specifications and within an agreed time frame.
  • Apply the different finishing techniques to the jewellery items in terms of the setting requirements.
  • Comply with health and safety aspects according to the health and safety requirements.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Formative Assessment:
    The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment.

    Integrated Summative Assessment:
    An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. The external integrated assessment will be conducted through a trade test as prescribed under section 26 D of the Skills Development Act and defined in the Trade Test Regulations. It will be conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by an assessor registered by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The assessment will take place over a minimum of 2 days. A candidate who attempted an external assessment will be given recognition for those assessment tasks in which he/she has been found competent. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international comparability study conducted specifically focused on identifying occupational standards or qualifications used in other countries that might contain indicators of best practice that could be used for comparison with or in the development of the Diamond and Gemstone Setter qualification at Level 4. Where full qualifications could not be obtained, similar learning programmes were sourced for comparison. The comparison focused on the following countries:

    India:
    The Jewellery Design and Technology Institute offers a Gemmology qualification. The qualification offers grading and identification of both diamonds and coloured gemstones. It covers the following topics throughout the qualification:
  • Theory in Stone Setting.
  • Diamonds.
  • Coloured Gemstones.

    United Kingdom (UK):
    The UK City Litâ's Department of Art and Design offers an introduction to the stone setting for one month. The course content: Introduction to the stone setting for the construction of a simple bezel setting and cabochon stone setting.

    USA:
    In the USA, the American School of Jewellery offers short programmes titled "Stone Setting" and "Advance Setting". The practical training offers the learner a general introduction to stone setting including the following:
  • Preparation of tools,
  • various setting techniques, and
  • basic review of general stone setting techniques.

    Germany:
    The Alexandre School offers intensive three months training in advance stone setting titled "Professional Stone Setting". The programme offers intensive practical skills-based training courses. All main setting types are taught with a special accent on:
  • Pav¿ setting.
  • Gemmology for Setters.

    The learner is presented with various kinds of mathematical calculations involving measuring, drilling, cleaning and raising of various metal surfaces for the setting.

    The above examples are not conclusive qualifications but give a general reflection of Diamond and Gemstone setting in general in terms of best practices and content, none of the above qualifications includes work experience.

    Conclusion:
    The Diamond and Gemstone Setter content compares favourably with all the leading countries listed above, in terms of best practices. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Occupational Certificate: Goldsmith, NQF Level 4.
  • Further Education and Training Certificate: Jewellery Manufacturing Operations, NQF Level 4.
  • Further Education and Training Certificate: Jewellery Designing, NQF Level 4.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • National Certificate: Diamond Processing, NQF Level 5. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A

    Assessment Quality Partner (AQP):
  • National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

    The curriculum title and code is: Diamond and Gemstone Setter: 661302-000-00-00. 

    NOTES 
    Qualifying for External Assessment:
    In order to qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required modules by means of statements of results and work experience records including the Foundational Learning Competence.

    Encompassed Trades:
    This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:
  • Diamond and Gemstone Setter.

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION
    None 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.