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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: |
National Certificate: Diamond Design and Evaluation |
SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
78966 | National Certificate: Diamond Design and Evaluation | |||
ORIGINATOR | ||||
Task Team - Fabrication and Extraction | ||||
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
MQA - Mining Qualifications Authority | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
National Certificate | Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology | Fabrication and Extraction | ||
ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
Undefined | 129 | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | Regular-Unit Stds Based |
REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered" |
SAQA 9999/99 | 2018-07-01 | 2023-06-30 | |
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
2026-06-30 | 2029-06-30 |
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:
This qualification will equip qualifying learners with the necessary knowledge, understanding and competence to evaluate, design and grade diamond gemstones to internationally recognised standards. It is aimed at people who work or intend to work within the diamond processing industry and who seek recognition for skills in processing diamond gemstones. Recipients of this qualification know about and are able to evaluate or design rough diamond gemstones and grade them as cut and polished diamond gemstones for sale into local and international markets. The ability of the industry to develop its potential in the beneficiation of raw materials is dependent upon the development of design, evaluation and grading skills to provide the platform for expansion of the industry and to have a base of skilled workers in the industry, including knowledgeable and competent Diamond Board Valuators. The qualification is designed to be flexible and accessible so that people are able to consistently demonstrate the competencies required to work safely and effectively in evaluating and designing the processing diamond gemstones. The role of the diamond processing sector in terms of the jewellery manufacturing and diamond distribution system will be understood as well as the importance of their role in the distribution chain. The learner can select on of the following specialisations: A: Advanced Evaluation of Rough diamond gemstones. B: Advanced Grading of polished diamond gemstones. C: Evaluation of diamond gemstones for importation and exportation. Qualified learners will, subject to the specialisation chosen, be able to: This qualification enhances the understanding of evaluation and design of rough diamonds and the grading of cut and polished diamond gemstones which falls in the sub-field Fabrication and Extraction. Rationale: The processing of diamonds is not a mechanical process, but one which requires understanding of the nature and structure of the diamond crystal, how the processing reveals the qualities of the gemstone and how impurities can affect the ultimate value of the gemstone. The need for this qualification was identified by a number of means: This qualification is designed to meet the needs of learners in the diamond processing industry as well as the needs of employers wishing to promote recognised levels of competence in the workforce. Previously there has been no formal recognition of the trades that are represented in the qualification workers were trained and developed using either international gemmology programmes or programmes offered by private providers without accreditation. The associated status of a nationally recognised qualification will serve as a motivation for high-level learners to enter and develop a career in the diamond processing industry. It is a step towards obtaining a range of qualifications in diamond processing for learners who: This qualification will also provide entrants to the industry with a structured framework to develop a career path for themselves in the diamond processing industry. Learners for this qualification are likely to be working in the diamond processing industry already. The qualification will give them the opportunity to have their skills recognised in a structured way as it includes both practical experience and theoretical understanding. This qualification provides the knowledge and skills for access to qualifications at a higher level in diamond polishing. There is a critical need in the industry to convert experienced personnel into qualified practitioners to raise the credibility of the industry and to enhance South Africa's reputation as a centre for diamond processing. The intention is: This qualification will produce knowledgeable workers who are able to contribute to improved productivity within the diamond processing industry. It should provide the means for current workers to receive Recognition of Prior Learning. The qualification is structured in a way that it exposes learners to the different aspects of diamond evaluation, grading and the design for converting rough diamonds into polished gemstones for sale into local and international markets. This is the third qualification in a learning pathway for Diamond Processing. The learner, once equipped with the competencies of this qualification will be recognised in one of the trades of Rough Evaluator or Polished Grader or SA Gold and Precious Metals Valuator. Alternatively the learner may pursue the path of factory processing in a Quality Control or Supervisory capacity and ultimately one of management in the industry. Learners may even wish to pursue formal qualification as a gemmologist. For some learners this qualification will provide the opportunity for progression into Management and Leadership responsibilities in the workplace. |
LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
It is assumed that learners embarking on learning towards this qualification are already competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
Recognition of Prior Learning: This qualification can be obtained by completing all the required unit standards in a structured learning programme, or through Recognition of Prior Learning. The criteria for Recognition of Prior Learning would need to be in line with the MQA's ETQA requirements. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. All such evidence would be judged according to the general principles of assessment. Access to the Qualification: Access is open, however it is preferable that learners have completed the National Certificate: Diamond Design and Evaluation at NQF Level 4. |
RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
Y |
QUALIFICATION RULES |
Fundamental Component:
Core Component: Elective Component: The three specialisations are: A: Advanced Evaluation of Rough diamond gemstones. B: Advanced Grading of polished diamond gemstones. C: Evaluation of diamond gemstones for importation and exportation. Specialization area A: Advanced Evaluation of Rough diamond gemstones: The following unit standards totalling 58 credits are compulsory: Additional unit standards totalling a minimum of 10 Credits are to be chosen from the electives in the other specialisations to make up a minimum of 68 Credits for the elective component and 129 Credits for the qualification. Specialization area B: Advanced Grading of polished diamond gemstones: The following unit standards totalling 50 Credits are compulsory: Additional unit standards totalling a minimum of 18 Credits are to be chosen from the electives in the other specialisations to make up a minimum of 68 Credits for the elective component and 129 Credits for the qualification. Specialization area C: Evaluation of diamond gemstones for importation and exportation: The following unit standards totalling 54 Credits are compulsory: Additional unit standards totalling a minimum of 14 Credits are to be chosen from the electives in the other specialisations to make up a minimum of 68 Credits for the elective component and 129 Credits for the qualification. |
EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
1. Communicate and apply mathematical concepts and operations to solve problems.
2. Adhere to occupational health, safety and environmental standards in the workplace. 3. Empower teams through leadership. 4. Describe the structure and properties of diamond gemstones and evaluate against recognised price lists. 5. Conduct advanced evaluation of rough diamond gemstones. OR 6. Conduct advanced grading of polished diamond gemstones. OR 7. Evaluate diamond gemstones and the requirements for importation and exportation against local legislation and international conventions. Critical Cross-field Outcomes: Critical Cross-Field Outcomes have been addressed by the exit level outcomes as follows: While conducting activities related to diamond design and evaluation operations, learners are able to: Identify and solve problems in which response displays that responsible decisions, using critical and creative thinking, have been made by: Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community by: Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively by: Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information by: Communicate effectively by using mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations by: Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others by: Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation by: |
ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: OR Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: OR Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: Integrated Assessment: > Observing the learner at work (both in the primary activity as well as other interactions). > Asking questions and initiating short discussions to test understanding. > Looking at records and reports in the portfolio and reviewing previous assessments. In some cases interference will be necessary to determine competence depending on the nature and context within which performance takes place. |
INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
There are a number of institutions offering courses in rough evaluation and polished grading. There are none that offer any qualifications for regulatory inspecting. There are a number of gemmological societies and institutes that offer courses and these have been listed below. Whilst some of them have approval from state or national education authorities, none appear to have accreditation as national qualifications of the countries concerned.
The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) offers diplomas in Diamond Essentials that familiarizes learners with their own GIA clarity grading system to facilitate grading diamonds and colour and how colour affects value; Diamonds and Diamond Grading, also teaches learners skills of judging and grading the colour, clarity, and cut of diamonds, how to determine proportions and estimate weight. It addresses the fundamentals of diamond treatments, synthetics, and simulants, the effect of fluorescence on colour in diamonds, the role played by cut in the marketplace; The Diamond Grading Lab and the Advanced Grading Lab courses teaches learners how to grade clarity, colour, and cut quality factors of round brilliant diamonds and advanced grading techniques. The GIA offers grading courses in South Africa through the auspices of the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Training School. These programmes would be equivalent to the Grading stream contained in the Level 4 qualification and the Advanced Grading Lab to the Grading stream that is contained in this qualification. The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) is a non-profit, private, postsecondary educational institution incorporated for the purpose of promoting education and research in gemmology and related subjects. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). (The ACCSCT is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency). GIA New York is licensed by the New York State Education Department. The Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) offers various courses in gemmology that include a Basic Diamond Course that serves as introduction to diamonds covering formation, properties and grading. This would be less detailed that the Grading stream contained in the Level 4 qualification. The Scientific Diamond Course addresses some of the features covered in this qualification dealing with the properties of diamonds. None of their programmes addresses rough evaluation. They claim no accreditation. The Indian Institute of Gemmology (IMI) offers a course in Diamonds and Diamond Grading that addresses gem identification and diamond properties. This programme would not attain the level of the, Level 4 qualification. They claim no accreditation. The International Gemmological Institute (IGI) offers a course in Polished Diamonds that teaches learners how to grade polished diamonds and would appear to cover the contents of the Grading stream of the Level 4 qualification. The Rough Diamond Course covers sorting, sorting for parting and identification of diamonds. It covers some of the aspects of the Rough Evaluation stream contained in this qualification, but does not cover the depth of this qualification. Whilst the IGI has its own school of Gemology, it does not cite any accreditation. The Hode Raad voor Diamant (HRD) offers courses in rough sorting, diamond grading, diamond treatments which would appear to cover the scope of some of the Rough Evaluation stream and the Grading stream of this qualification. The HRD was recognised by the Flemish community as an educational institute, but they do not claim national accreditation for their programmes. The MSU Gemmological Center (MSU) offers courses in diamond grading and Rough diamonds. These courses appear to cover some of the general scope of the Grading and Rough Evaluation streams of this qualification, but the MSU claims no accreditation. The duration of the programmes would indicate that the scope may be less comprehensive that the Level 4 qualification. The Canadian Institute of Gemmology (CIG) offers a Diamond Grading course that appears to cover the scope of the Grading stream of the Level 4 qualification. They claim no national accreditation for their programmes. The EGL College of Gemmology (EGL) is part of an international laboratory and consulting service that offers courses in Diamonds and Diamond Grading. The programme covers the scope of the Grading stream of the Level 4 qualification and part of this qualification. EGL is accredited with the MQA. The search indicates that whilst there are a number of organisations offering certification programmes in rough diamonds and polished grading, none of these appear to be nationally accredited, although some have international reputation for their standards and would offer programmes at the level of this qualification in these streams. None, however, offer regulator valuator qualifications. Contact was established with leading diamond cutting operations, internationally linked gemstone valuators, internationally linked training institutions, and people with many years established connections to De Beers, the leading role-player in the distribution of diamond gemstones in the world such as: These countries were contacted because they are the countries where major diamond processing takes place. Feedback from associates of South African training and professional service providers from Belgium and Canada has indicated that the qualification and unit standards are of a high standard. Experienced managers and craftsmen in South Africa with international experience have also indicated that the standard of unit standards that make up this qualification are at a level that is comparable to best practices in countries such as Belgium, Israel, China and India. Contact has been made with organisations in SADC countries who are also seeking to establish recognition for the same skills as covered by this qualification. Neither Namibia nor Botswana, who are rapidly developing diamond processing skills, have a formal system and the MQA has been approached to establish whether through SADC qualifications developed in South Africa could be used to establish regional standards. In conclusion, it appears that South Africa has been the first country to establish formal national qualifications in diamond processing and that, outside of rough evaluation and polished grading, no other comparable international qualifications yet exist. |
ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Vertical articulation exists with: Horizontal articulation exists with: |
MODERATION OPTIONS |
CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
Assessors should be in possession of:
|
REREGISTRATION HISTORY |
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. |
NOTES |
N/A |
UNIT STANDARDS: |
ID | UNIT STANDARD TITLE | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | CREDITS | |
Core | 260402 | Demonstrate understanding of the implementation of occupational health, safety and environmental legislation in a diamond processing workplace | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 5 |
Core | 14586 | Monitor and control quality control practices in a manufacturing/engineering environment | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 8 |
Core | 259761 | Use a loupe for advanced applications in examining diamond gemstones | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 6 |
Core | 115821 | Apply business financial practices | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 4 |
Core | 335894 | Optimise the quality assurance system | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 6 |
Fundamental | 242706 | Analyse problems | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 4 |
Fundamental | 15234 | Apply efficient time management to the work of a department/division/section | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 4 |
Fundamental | 335800 | Apply professional values and ethics in the operational environment | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 4 |
Fundamental | 119947 | Conciliate a dispute in relation to training legislation | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 5 |
Fundamental | 10622 | Conduct communication within a business environment | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 8 |
Fundamental | 10631 | Demonstrate an understanding of manufacturing, principles, methodologies and processes | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 7 |
Elective | 259777 | Describe the structure and properties of gem diamonds | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 10 |
Elective | 259838 | Use laboratory equipment to examine diamond gemstones | Level 4 | NQF Level 04 | 4 |
Elective | 376800 | Buy and sell polished diamond gemstones | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 10 |
Elective | 376760 | Buy and sell rough diamond gemstones | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 18 |
Elective | 376502 | Evaluate improvements to the quality of polished diamond gemstones | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 12 |
Elective | 376720 | Explain the requirements for importing and exporting diamond gemstones | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 12 |
Elective | 376511 | Plot impurities in rough and semi polished diamond gemstones | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 6 |
Elective | 376700 | Promote grading of polished diamond gemstones | Level 5 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5 | 18 |
Elective | 376701 | Calculate advanced weight yield for rough diamond gemstones | Level 6 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6 | 12 |
Elective | 376740 | Grade large rough diamond gemstones | Level 6 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6 | 10 |
Elective | 376780 | Improve the value of polished diamond gemstones | Level 6 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6 | 10 |
Elective | 110235 | Make a model and determine the optimal processing of a diamond gemstone | Level 6 | Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L6 | 13 |
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. |