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 UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Use a microscope to examine diamond gemstones 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
110199  Use a microscope to examine diamond gemstones 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Mining and Minerals 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Fabrication and Extraction 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 2  NQF Level 02  1 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to examine diamond gemstones for evaluation, processing or grading.

People credited with this unit standard are able to
  • Identify the microscopes used to examine diamond gemstones and describe their application
  • Describe the features of diamond gemstones using a microscope
  • Conduct post-examination reconciliation, checking and security activities. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    The credit calculation is based on the assumption that learners are already competent in terms of the following outcomes or areas of learning when starting to learn towards this unit standard:
  • Explain the requirements for security of diamonds
  • Describe the characteristics of diamond gemstones 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The conversion of rough diamond gemstones into cut and polished diamond gemstones for sale into local and international markets.

    Specific range statements are provided in the body of the unit standard where they apply to particular specific outcomes or assessment criteria.

    It is envisaged that this unit standard will apply to the use of microscopes to examine diamond gemstones outside of a laboratory. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify the microscopes used to examine diamond gemstones and describe their application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The microscopes and their components used for examining diamond gemstones are identified and their use in different applications is explained in terms of key features, applications and methods for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    3. The importance of positioning diamond gemstones in a microscope for examination is described and explained in terms of the ability to identify the features of the gemstones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    4. Practices are explained to maintain housekeeping, security of diamond gemstones, safety in the workplace and care of equipment in line with workplace specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    5. The consequences of deviating from workplace specific practices are described in terms of potential impact on health, safety, equipment, products and profitability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    2. The effect of light on examination of polished diamond gemstones is explained in terms of consistency, quality of light and surroundings. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the features of diamond gemstones using a microscope. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The appropriate microscope is selected in order to examine the required features of diamond gemstones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Diamond gemstones are positioned appropriately in the microscope for examination 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The features of diamond gemstones are described from examination using a microscope. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The types of features that must be distinguished must include:
  • Effects on parting
  • Effects on faceting
  • Internal imperfections
  • External imperfections
  • Alignment of impurities with the Marker`s line
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The features of diamond gemstones are plotted on a diagram after examination using a microscope. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct post-examination reconciliation, checking and security activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. Examined diamond gemstones are returned to the appropriate storage facility/receptacle and information relating to the features examined is recorded in line with workplace specific requirements Remedial action, where necessary, is taken in line with workplace specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. Examined diamond gemstones are reconciled and accounted for in accordance with workplace specific instructions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. Good housekeeping is exercised after examination. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Good housekeeping must include:
  • Clean hands, equipment and accessories
  • Replace equipment and accessories into correct storage facilities
  • Calibration of equipment, where necessary, is maintained according to the specifications of the equipment
  • Diamond gemstones are accounted for after examination in terms of the workplace security system.
     
    		•


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
    2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
    3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge, candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes to the standards described in the assessment criteria. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate`s performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard. 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
  • The ability of the candidate to use equipment effectively to examine and report on the findings requires critical and creative thinking to solve problems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
  • The ability and willingness of the candidate to accept instructions and provide feedback on the results of the examination indicates the ability to work effectively as a team member within the structure of the organisation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • The security and accountability for diamond gemstones and the complying with good housekeeping and security practices indicates the candidate`s ability to organise and manage activities in the work environment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • The ability of the candidate to use equipment to examine the features of diamonds indicates the candidate`s ability to analyse, organise and critically evaluate information. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • The ability to use appropriate equipment to examine diamond gemstones demonstrates the critical use of science and technology in the processing of information and the safeguarding of the material, the environment, fellow workers and oneself. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Terminology

    Specified requirements

    Specified requirements include legal and site-specific requirements and are contained in one or more of the following documents:

    Legal
  • The Bargaining Council for the Diamond Cutting Industry Main Agreement
  • Regulations of the Diamonds Act, as amended
  • The Occupational Health and Safety Act, No 85 of 1993
  • SABS and other relevant standards and quality assurance measures
  • A glossary of terms about the terminology of the industry issued by the Bargaining Council for the Diamond Cutting Industry

    Site specific
  • User manuals supplied by equipment manufacturers
  • Workplace diamond gemstone security system
  • The employer`s work specifications, tariff agreements and policies and procedures 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  64909   National Certificate: Small Scale Mining  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    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.