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: 

Prepare a scaiffe for polishing diamond gemstones 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253811  Prepare a scaiffe for polishing 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  2 
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
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 unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
10517  Prepare a scaiffe for polishing diamond gemstones  Level 2  NQF Level 02  2   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is useful for people who intend following a career in the diamond processing sector and who are required to prepare a scaiffe in order to polish diamond gemstones.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Identify the material and tools required to prepare a scaiffe for polishing diamond gemstones and describe their application.
  • Prepare the surface of a scaiffe.
  • Conduct post scaiffe preparation activities.

    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, particularly in the aspect of beneficiation.

    This unit standard is intended to promote general skills, knowledge and understanding of the diamond processing industry 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 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communications and Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The scope and context applies to the conversion of rough diamond gemstones into cut and polished diamond gemstones for sale into local and international markets. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Identify the material and tools required to prepare a scaiffe for polishing diamond gemstones and describe their application. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The material and tools required to prepare a scaiffe are identified and their functions are described in terms of key features, applications and methods for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of the use of suitable abrasive compounds and the need for the surface of the scaiffe to be even is explained and their applications are described. 

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

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

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare the surface of a scaiffe. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and applied according to required standards of occupational health and safety. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The scaiffe is located in the bench and levelled and is checked to ensure it runs smoothly, without vibration. Remedial action is taken in line with workplace specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The surface of the scaiffe is cleaned and any oil deposits are removed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An appropriate quantity of powder for polishing a diamond gemstone, mixed with a bonding agent if required, is spread evenly on the scaiffe and allowed to dry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    A tang with pre-set boart is applied to work in the powder mixture evenly and an appropriate quantity of lubricant is applied to the scaiffe. Remedial action is taken in line with workplace specified requirements. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct post scaiffe preparation activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The scaiffe, once prepared, is handed over for operations in accordance with workplace specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Good housekeeping is exercised after preparing the scaiffe. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Good housekeeping must include:
  • Surplus powder and any dust or lose particles are cleaned away.
  • Materials are replaced into correct storage facilities.
  • Any equipment needing maintenance is sent to the appropriate workshop/facility.
  • Maintenance of personal protective clothing and equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Report that the scaiffe has been prepared and handed over to the operator in accordance with workplace specific procedures. 


    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 is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    Knowledge relating to the properties of a scaiffe:
  • Understanding the various components of a polishing bench.
  • The interdependence of the components in making the scaiffe suitable for polishing.
  • Importance of surface properties of a scaiffe.
  • Appreciating the activities of polishing that can influence the surface of a scaiffe.
  • Awareness of the damage to a diamond that can be caused by a scaiffe that is not properly prepared for polishing.

    Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental issues:
  • Significant hazards and risks related to gemstone processing, their consequences and mitigating actions.
  • Safety measures related to diamond processing.
  • PPE requirements and the reason for each.
  • Impact on the environment and mitigating actions.
  • Emergency procedures.

    Legislative and structural environment:
  • Importance of adherence to health and safety requirements during processing.
  • Importance of care and maintenance of tools and equipment.
  • Codes of practice.

    Communication:
  • Reporting requirements and ability.
  • Communicating with relevant personnel.
  • Liaison between personnel in various functions. 
    		•

    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.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to take remedial action when the surface of the scaiffe is not suitable for polishing and take appropriate remedial action. 
    		•

    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 interact with other members in the workplace to acquire information and insight about operations. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to collect and collate information in order to understand why a scaiife is not ready for polishing and to use that information to adjust the bench and equipment. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the candidate to explain the requirement for preparing a scaiffe for polishing 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.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to apply fundamental concepts of science to be able to prepare a bench for polishing. 
    		•

    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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 10517, "Prepare a scaiffe for polishing diamond gemstones", Level 2, 2 credits.

    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, No 56 of 1986, as amended.
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85/1993).
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • The glossary of terms about the terminology of the industry issued by the Bargaining Council for the Diamond Cutting Industry.

    Site-Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Working Guides, tariff agreements, policies and procedures.
  • Equipment and Materials Specifications.

    Unit Standard Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Level 2; Some variety but within defined and familiar sequences.
  • Procedures; Level 1; Repetitive and familiar procedures apply.
  • Context; Level 1; A limited variety of applications exist.
  • Knowledge; Level 2; Minimal theory is required to understand the processes of making compounds and the consequences of inappropriate mixture.
  • Information processing; Level 2; Information is readily available but application requires some variety.
  • Problem Solving; Level 3; Judgement is required to set correct quantities of powder and bonding agent.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 2; Follows established instructions but must exercise discretion in mixing compounds.
  • Application of responsibility; Level 2; Works under guidelines and output is checked by the operator.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; Level 2; Some responsibility for output of others.

    Average Level: 17/9 = 1.888.
    Actual Levels Assigned = 2.

    Credits:

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

    Activity; Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching; 0 Hours.
  • On-The-Job Training; 8 Hours.
  • Mentoring required; 8 Hours.
  • Other (Home study); 4 Hours.

    Total: 20 Hours.

    Credits Achieved: 20/10 = 2.0.
    Credits Assigned = 2. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  59851   National Certificate: Diamond Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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. DIAMOND EDUCATION COLLEGE CC 
    2. HARRY OPPENHEIMER DIAMOND TRAINING SCHOOL NPC 
    3. NLP MINERALS COLLEGE 
    4. SOWETO DIAMOND ACADEMY 
    5. THE KIMBERLEY INTERNATIONAL DIAMONDAND JEWELLERY ACADEMY 
    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.