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: 

Hand polish a piece of jewellery 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
261261  Hand polish a piece of jewellery 
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  4 
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 replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
15260  Hand polish a piece of jewellery  Level 2  NQF Level 02  4   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to hand polish a piece of jewellery or related artefact.

People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Select the polishing equipment, materials and consumables.
  • Polish jewellery.
  • Clean a polished piece of jewellery or artefact. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are already competent in:
  • Communication and mathematical literacy at NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Polishing includes:
  • Grinding.
  • Brushing.
  • Buffing. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Select polishing equipment, materials and compounds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Consumables are selected in accordance with the task requirements and ensured to be ready for use in accordance with specified requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Consumables must include:
  • Polishing buffs.
  • Brushes.
  • Leather buff sticks.
  • Wooden wheels.
  • Felt buffs and cones.
  • Sindles.
  • Polishing cloths.
  • Polishing compounds.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Safety apparatus and clothing is selected in accordance with occupational health and safety standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Safety apparatus and clothing must include:
  • Goggles.
  • Extractor.
  • Masks.
  • Apron and/or overcoat.
  • Finger guards.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Polishing equipment is selected according to manufacturer's specifications and task specific requirements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Polishing equipment must include:
  • Pendant motor with flexible shaft.
  • Electric polishing motor.
  • Leather buff sticks.
  • Other manual devices.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Occupational hazards and risks are identified and dealt with in accordance with specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Housekeeping and safe working practices are adhered to and demonstrated in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The consequences of not adhering to correct workmanship, housekeeping and safe working practices are described in terms of the potential impact on occupational health and safety, productivity and quality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Polish jewellery. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    'Polish' refers to the process of bringing a piece up to a mirror finish from the final sanding. This includes the use of grinding pastes such as Tripoli, to the polishing pastes such as Jeweller's Rouge. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Polishing equipment and materials are used according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Polishing compound is selected to that is suitable for the required finish. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The jewellery is polished in accordance with sound jewellery manufacturing practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Housekeeping and safe working practices are adhered to and demonstrated in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Consequences of not adhering to correct workmanship, housekeeping and safe working practices are described in terms of the potential impact on occupational health and safety, productivity and quality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Clean a polished piece of jewellery or artefact. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    "Clean" implies the washing of jewellery after polishing. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Cleaning equipment and materials are selected that are suitable for the required finish. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Cleaning equipment and materials are used according to specified requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The jewellery is cleaned and dried to task specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Housekeeping and safe working practices are adhered to and demonstrated in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The consequences of not adhering to correct workmanship, housekeeping and safe working practices are described in terms of the potential impact on occupational health and safety, productivity and quality. 


    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 hand polishing a piece of jewellery:
  • Knowledge of polishing compounds.
  • Knowledge of jewellery polishing equipment.
  • Knowledge of the metal surface.

    Processes and events:
  • Knowledge of various jewellery polishing processes.
  • Exposure to various jewellery polishing processes.
  • Distinguish poor jewellery polishing quality from acceptable quality.

    Causes and effects (Safety and Health):
  • Use of equipment.
  • Use of personal protective equipment.
  • Adherence to safety requirements.
  • Work related hazards and associated risks.

    Regulations, legislation, agreements, policies and standards:
  • Safety, health and environmental legislation and regulations.
  • Quality policies, standards and agreements. 
    		•

    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 learner to select the correct and relevant tools, materials and equipment for the polishing of different jewellery pieces, and to plan the polishing process very carefully and logically. 
    		•

    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 accept and interpret the specified requirements correctly. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to indicate which tools, equipment and procedures are required for the polishing process of these different jewellery pieces. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to plan the procedure, the preparation and the specified finish gathered from the design specifications with the specified requirements. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Note: The ability of the learner to interpret specified requirements by liaising and interacting with relevant role players in the production process, using appropriate and effective communication methods. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Note: The ability to use the relevant technology applying the required occupational health and safety measures to conduct the required polishing task in an agreed time frame. 
    		•

    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 identify the relevant factors that contribute to the success or failure of the polished jewellery pieces - the quality of the metal, the preparation thereof, the correct interpretation of the design and what it hopes to achieve in the rest of the jewellery production process, and as a whole, within the rest of the jewellery 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 15260, "Hand polish a piece of jewellery", Level 2, 4 credits.

    Terminology:
  • Felt buffs and cones are attachments to the spindle of a jewellery polishing machine, that rotate in a vertical motion, allowing the learner to polish jewellery by pressing it gently against the buffs or cones.

    Specified Requirements:

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

    Legal:
  • Relevant Acts: e.g. Mine Health & Safety Act, 1996 (Act no 29/1996), and Minerals Act and Regulations, 1991 (Act no 50/1991).
  • Regulations.
  • Mandatory Codes of Practice.
  • SANS and other Standards.

    Site Specific:
  • Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA).
  • Occupational Health and Safety Risk Management Programme.
  • Voluntary Codes of Practices.
  • Managerial Instructions.
  • Mine Standard Procedures.
  • List of Recorded OH&S Risks.

    Jewellery Industry Requirements:
  • Working Guides.
  • User manuals supplied by equipment manufacturer.
  • The Bargaining Council for the Jewellery and Precious Metals Industry Main Agreement.
  • The employer's work specifications, tariff agreements and policies and Procedures.
  • Regulations as per directives from the Gold and Diamond Branch of the Southern African Police.
  • ISO 9000/1, SANS and other accredited standards and quality assurance measures.
  • A glossary of terms regarding the terminology of the Jewellery Industry. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  65049   National Certificate: Jewellery Manufacturing  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.