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: 

Identify a gemstone 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243008  Identify a gemstone 
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 4  NQF Level 04  10 
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 identify gemstones.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe a gemstone.
  • Determine the weight of a gemstone.
  • Determine the dimensions of a gemstone.
  • Determine the physical properties of a gemstone using gemmological instruments.
  • Determine the identity of a gemstone.
  • Issue an identification report.

    The skills, knowledge and understanding demonstrated within this unit standard are essential for social and economic transformation and contribute to the upliftment and economic growth of the mining and minerals sector.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of gemstones in the mining and minerals sector in order to ensure knowledgeable and informed workers. 
    		•

    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:
  • Jewellery manufacture in a production environment NQF Level 3.
  • Ability to use a loupe.
  • Different characteristics of gemstones such as colour and degree of transparency and cut.
  • Usage of related tools and equipment such as scale and tweezers.
  • Gemstone cleaning processes. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe a gemstone. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The gemstone and tweezers are cleaned and ready for use in accordance with requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The colour of the gemstone is described with reference to the gemmological spectrum of colours. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The opacity of the gemstone is described in terms of the degree of transparency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The shape of the gemstone is described in terms of the cut. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of adhering to specific criteria when describing a gemstone is understood and described in terms of the potential impact on productivity and cost. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Hazards and risks pertaining to the identification of gemstones are identified and explained with reference to team occupational health and safety and environmental impact. The appropriate preventive measures are described in accordance with specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Determine the weight of a gemstone. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The gemstone is cleaned to ensure accurate weighing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The scale is prepared for weighing and used according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The weight of the gemstone is determined in carats. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of accuracy when weighing gemstones is described in terms of the potential impact on cost. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Determine the dimensions of a gemstone. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The gemstone is cleaned to ensure accurate measuring. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The gauge is calibrated and used according to manufacturer's specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The measurements of the gemstone are determined in terms of its diameter and depth. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The importance of accuracy when measuring gemstones is understood and described in terms of the potential impact on productivity and cost. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Determine the physical properties of a gemstone using gemmological instruments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The gemstone is cleaned prior to testing to ensure accurate results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The correct instruments are selected to determine the relevant physical properties of the gemstone. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Physical properties must include:
  • Refractive Index.
  • Specific gravity.
  • Inclusions.
  • Spectrum.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The instruments are used according to the manufacturers' specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The gemmological instruments must include:
  • Refractometer.
  • Polariscope.
  • Microscope.
  • Spectroscope.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The physical properties are determined and recorded for reference purposes to facilitate identification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of accuracy when determining the physical properties of a gemstone is described in terms of the potential impact on productivity and cost. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Determine the identity of a gemstone. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Tables and lists of constants are sourced and ready for use in terms of gemmological identification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The recorded physical properties are compared to the tables and lists to arrive at a conclusion in terms of its identity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The inclusions of the gemstones are examined in order to determine its genesis. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A detailed identification report is compiled in accordance with the results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of not differentiating between a stone and its simulants are described in terms of its impact on productivity and cost. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body, or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA, according to the ETQA's policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise.
  • Anyone wishing to be assessed against this unit standard may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The following embedded knowledge will be assessed in an integrated way in the context of the unit standard.

    Knowledge relating to the method of identifying a gemstone:
  • Purpose of conducting identifying a gemstone.
  • Principles and methods of identifying a gemstone.
  • Typical equipment used and their applications.
  • Relevant terminology.
  • Possible non-conformances, their consequences and mitigating actions.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Issues:
  • Significant hazards and risks related to identifying a gemstone, their consequences and mitigating actions.
  • PPE requirements and the reason for each.

    Applicable statutory and site specific requirements:
  • Relevant clauses from applicable acts and regulations relating to identifying a gemstone.
  • Codes of practice and in-company Procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.

    Note:
  • The ability and willingness of the learner to work effectively with other role players in the jewellery manufacturing industry, particularly the interaction between designers, manufacturers and setters. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.

    Note:
  • The ability of the learner to plan edequately, use the appropriate tools and techniques and to keep the workplace well organised. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note:
  • The ability of the learner to understand and deal with the interaction between various role players and processes in the jewellery manufacturing industry. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    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:
  • Mine Health & Safety Act and Regulations, 1996 (Act 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act 50/1991).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other relevant Standards.

    Site-specific:
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Working Guides.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57875   Further Education and Training Certificate: Jewellery Designing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  57876   Further Education and Training Certificate: Jewellery Manufacturing Operations  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Elective  58274   Further Education and Training Certificate: Jewellery Setting Processes  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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.
     
    1. GLOBAL JEWELLERY ACADEMY 
    2. IMFUNDISO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT (PTY)LTD 
    3. INTSIKA SKILLS BENEFICIATIONPROJECTS 
    4. LIMPOPO JEWELLERY BUSINESS INCUBATOR 
    5. PNEUMA JEWELLERS CC 
    6. ZUREL PRIVATE COLLEGE 


    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.