Application

This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to safely handle a variety of gem materials and examine gems to determine physical and chemical properties.

Emphasis is placed on knowledge of the principles of gemmology, gemstone and diamond nomenclature, gemstone processing enhancement and repair, and appreciation of gemstone qualities.

This unit applies to an individual working autonomously in a jewellery manufacturing environment and guided by strict rules of procedure.

Note: The competencies covered by this unit do not include the requirement to perform accurate and positive gemstone identifications.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

What You'll Learn

Assessment Requirements

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two (2) occasions and include:

following work instructions, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work practices

selecting relevant tools and equipment to handle and examine gem materials

setting up and safely operating equipment, including preparing, pre-setting, balancing, calibrating and levelling of equipment, for examination of gem materials

undertaking numerical operations and calculations associated with handling and examining gem stones

identifying relevant physical and optical properties of gemstones

recording results and comparing results with known control items, charts, lists, graphs, diagrams and resource materials

reading valuation documents, making comparisons and verifying outcomes

selecting and applying handling measures and precautions in relation to gem materials, work processes, tools and equipment

investigating and reporting examination results, including assessing need for further examination, cross referencing other records and cross referencing valuation documents.

Knowledge Evidence

Essential knowledge required to effectively handle and examine gemstone materials outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit includes:

safe work practices and procedures and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

examination methods for gem materials in relation to the properties and features that may affect specific materials during jewellery manufacture, repair or alteration

equipment required for examination and the function of each

limitations of the selected equipment and methods

SOPs for selected equipment

definitions of processes and features

physical and optical properties and qualities of relevant gemstones

principles of gemmology

gemstone and diamond nomenclature

process for verifying results

handling measures and precautions for specific gem materials during jewellery manufacture, repair or alteration

evidence used in support of conclusions.

Assessment Conditions

Assessors must:

have vocational competency in handing and examining gemstone materials at least to the level being assessed with relevant industry knowledge and experience

satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 or its replacement and comply with the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011, its replacement or equivalent legislation covering VET regulation in a non-referring state/territory as the case requires

Where possible assessment must occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate

Foundation Skills

• text: This section describes those required skills (reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy) that are essential to workplace performance in this unit of competency. Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Prerequisite Units

• {'code': 'MEM13015', 'title': 'Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering'}
• {'code': 'MEM16006', 'title': 'Organise and communicate information'}
• {'code': 'MEM19003', 'title': 'Handle gem materials'}

Parent Qualifications

• MEM40119 — Certificate IV in Engineering
  MEM

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