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: 

Describe the structure of the diamond processing industry 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
253806  Describe the structure of the diamond processing industry 
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
10495  Describe the structure of the diamond processing industry  Level 1  NQF Level 01  3   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is useful for people who intend following a career in the diamond processing sector, or who intend to interact with the role-players in the industry.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Identify the role-players in the industry and describe their function and inter-relationships.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of terminology used in the industry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the economics of the diamond processing industry locally and internationally.
  • Describe the basic legal requirements to operate in the diamond processing industry.

    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 in English at NQF Level 1.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF Level 1.
  • The ability to understand natural science at ABET Level 3.
  • The ability to understand arts and culture at ABET Level 3. 
    		•

    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 role-players in the industry and describe their function and inter-relationships. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The bodies associated with the diamond processing industry are identified and their functions are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bodies associated with the diamond processing industry must include:
  • Unions.
  • Employer associations.
  • Government departments.
  • Producers.
  • Independent Associations.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The statutory bodies in the diamond processing industry are identified and their purpose, funding, support services and location are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Statutory bodies in the diamond processing industry must include:
  • The South African Diamond Board.
  • The Bargaining Council for the Diamond Cutting Industry.
  • The Government Valuator.
  • The South African Revenue Services.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relationships of role-players with the statutory bodies in the industry are described. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of terminology used in the industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The terminology used in processing diamond gemstones is explained and interpreted. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terminology of the diamond processing industry must include:
  • Characteristics of diamonds.
  • Sorting and marking terms.
  • Cutting and polishing terms.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The terminology used for trading in the industry is explained and interpreted. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Terminology used for trading must include:
  • Sources of diamonds.
  • Trading of diamonds.
  • Quality of diamonds.
  • Characteristics of rough and polished diamonds.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the economics of the diamond processing industry locally and internationally. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The economic role of the industry is described in appropriate terms. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Appropriate terms must include the following:
  • Employment.
  • Gross Domestic Product.
  • Exports.
  • Foreign exchange earnings.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The size of the South African diamond processing industry is described in the context of the global diamond processing industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The segmentation of the global diamond processing industry is explained in terms of markets, source of diamonds and cutting centres. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the basic legal requirements to operate in the diamond processing industry. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The laws which govern the rights and responsibilities of employers, owners, dealers and employees in the diamond processing industry are identified. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Rights and responsibilities must include:
  • Possession of rough diamonds.
  • Health and safety in the workplace.
  • Conditions of employment.
  • Fairness in the workplace.
  • Collective relationships in the workplace and the diamond processing industry.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The basic legal requirements that affect the diamond processing industry are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Legal requirements must cover:
  • Possession of rough diamonds.
  • Health and safety in the workplace.
  • Conditions of employment.
  • Fairness in the workplace.
  • Collective relationships in the workplace and the diamond processing industry.
     
    		•


    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 structure of the industry:
  • Understanding the supply chain process.
  • Appreciating the changing structure of diamond trading.
  • Understanding the role-players and their responsibilities in the industry.
  • Understanding the location and role of the respective trading and manufacturing centres.

    Legislative and structural environment:
  • Understanding the regulatory aspect of the business.
  • Recognising the intrinsic nature of trading integrity in the industry.
  • Awareness of the avenues for dispute resolution that have been created in the industry.

    Communication:
  • Reporting requirements and ability.
  • Communicating with relevant authorities.
  • Liaison with associated operations and personnel. 
    		•

    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 interact with other members of the industry to ensure acquire information and insight about the industry. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.

    Note:
  • The ability of the learner to analyse, record and report the information about the industry to ensure understanding and context about the industry, its structures and its operations. 
    		•

    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 the importance of each aspect of the supply chain in grasping the operation of the 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 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 10495, " Describe the structure of the diamond processing industry", Level 1, 3 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.
  • The glossary of terms about the terminology of the industry issued by the Bargaining Council for the Diamond Cutting Industry.

    Site-Specific:
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Working Guides, tariff agreements, policies and procedures.

    Unit Standard Justification:

    Level:

    Attribute; Level; Justification:
  • Skills; Knowledge standard.
  • Procedures; No procedures are applicable.
  • Context; No process is involved.
  • Knowledge; Level 2; Knowledge is related to the structures and terminology of the industry.
  • Information processing; Level 2; Information is readily available but application requires some variety.
  • Problem Solving; Level 1; No problem solving.
  • Orientation of activities; Level 2; Follows instructions to acquire the knowledge, but must carry out own research.
  • Application of responsibility; This is self acquisition of knowledge.
  • Orientation of scope of responsibility; No responsibility for the work or learning of others.

    Average Level: = 7/4 = 1.75.
    Actual Level Assigned: = 2.

    Credits:

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

    Activity; Hours:
  • Classroom Teaching; 8 Hours.
  • On-The-Job Training; 0.
  • Mentoring required; 2 Hours.
  • Other (Home study); 12 Hours.

    Total: 22 Hours.

    Credits Achieved: = 22/10 = 2.2.
    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
    Core  59851   National Certificate: Diamond Processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    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.
     
    1. DE BEERS SIGHTHOLDER SALES SOUTH AFRICA PROPRIETARY LIMITED 
    2. DIAMOND EDUCATION COLLEGE CC 
    3. HARRY OPPENHEIMER DIAMOND TRAINING SCHOOL NPC 
    4. MMTI Holdings 
    5. NLP MINERALS COLLEGE 
    6. SOWETO DIAMOND ACADEMY 
    7. THE KIMBERLEY INTERNATIONAL DIAMONDAND JEWELLERY ACADEMY 
    8. 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.