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: 

Balance a crossworked diamond gemstone 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
376522  Balance a crossworked diamond gemstone 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Fabrication and Extraction 
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 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  5 
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 is useful for people who intend following a career in the diamond processing sector and who are required to balance a crossworked diamond gemstone.

Learners credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Assess the equipment and tools used to balance crossworked diamond gemstones.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the structure of diamond gemstones and the implications for balancing crossworked diamond gemstones.
  • Locate crossworked diamond gemstones into and set tangs for balancing.
  • Balance crossworked diamond gemstones.
  • Conduct post-balancing cleaning, checking and security activities. 
    		•

    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 4. 
    		•

    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 
    Assess and identify the equipment and tools used to balance crossworked diamond gemstones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The tools and their components used to balance crossworked diamond gemstones are identified in terms of key features, applications and methods for use. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of balancing crossworked diamond gemstones is explained in relation to the process of crossworking and the proportions of the finished polished diamond gemstone. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Housekeeping, safety practices in the workplace and care of equipment are explained in line with workplace specific requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The consequence of deviating from workplace practices while utilising specified tools and equipment are described in terms of potential impact on productivity. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate knowledge of the structure of diamond gemstones and the implications for balancing crossworked diamond gemstones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Two, three and four points in rough diamond gemstones are identified in different diamond types from drawings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The polishing grains in two, three and four point stones are identified in terms of the crystallography of diamonds. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Problems that can be encountered when crossworking sawn and makeable diamond gemstones are described in terms of types of problems, key features, implications for polishing and methods to overcome such problems. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The types of problems that can be encountered must include:
  • Gletzes.
  • Naat.
  • Cross-grain.
  • Holes.
  • Flaws.
  • Impurities.
  • Naturals.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Advanced faceting hints and techniques for balancing crossworked diamond gemstones for sawn and makeable stones are explained in terms of different applications and the consequences of using inappropriate crossworking techniques. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Locate crossworked diamond gemstones into and set tangs for balancing. 

    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 
    Stones received are set in an appropriate pot and located in polishing tangs for balancing according to workplace specific operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Appropriate tang selection is made for balancing crossworked diamond gemstones according to workplace specific operating procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    A scaiffe is ensured to have been correctly prepared for balancing crossworked diamond gemstones before putting the stone on the scaiffe. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Occupational health and safety hazards are monitored during setting and clamping and remedial action is taken where necessary. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Balance crossworked diamond gemstones. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Crossworked stones are balanced using the appropriate methodology to address the given problems in line with the requirements as indicated by the Marker and within defined quality and output standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Indications by the Marker and defined quality and output standards will be found in the employer's:
  • Work specifications.
  • Tariff agreements.
  • Parcel instructions.
  • Policies and Procedures.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The scaiffe is frequently checked for any defects during the process of crossworking. Remedial action is taken in line with workplace specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Occupational health and safety hazards are monitored during crossworking and remedial action is taken where necessary. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Weights and proportions of diamond gemstones are within the laid down tolerance levels after balancing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Laid down tolerance levels will be found in the employer's:
  • Work specifications.
  • Tariff agreements.
  • Policies and Procedures.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Conduct post-balancing cleaning, checking and security activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Diamond gemstones are removed from pots after balancing, cleaned and inspected for quality of finish in relation to workplace specifications. Remedial action, where necessary, is taken in line with workplace specific procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Good housekeeping is exercised after balancing crossworked diamond gemstones. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Good housekeeping must include:
  • Clean pots, claws and tangs.
  • Replace pots, claws and tangs into correct storage facilities.
  • Maintenance of personal protective clothing and equipment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Diamond gemstones are accounted for after balancing in terms of the workplace security system. 


    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 
    Knowledge relating to the properties of a diamond gemstone:
  • Understanding the various properties of the diamond and the effect that crossworking and balancing may have.
  • The action that the different components of the polishing equipment may have on the diamond.
  • Importance of equipment being level for crossworking.
  • Awareness of the damage to a diamond that can be caused by equipment that is not level, or where the diamond is not properly applied to the scaiffe.
  • Awareness of the impact on value of the polished diamond where they are not balanced at the appropriate stage of crossworking.

    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.
  • Understanding terminology.
  • Handling and custody of diamond gemstones.
  • Achieving specified production requirements.
  • Identify the equipment and explain the specification and functions.
  • Preparation.
  • Examination.
  • Handling of diamond gemstones.
  • Monitoring and control.
  • Monitoring processing and impurities.
  • Weight loss.
  • Security requirements.
  • Collection and disposal of diamond dust.
  • Use of tools and equipment.
  • Use of personal protective equipment. 
    		•

    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 to identify proportion issues in order to balance crossworked diamond gemstones and be able to take the appropriate action in processing the gemstone, and to interpret the instructions from the Marker and make decision on how to crosswork illustrates the capability to solve problems. 

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

    Note: The ability to communicate effectively and to maintain optimum production illustrates the capability to work effectively with others. 

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

    Note: The ability to maintain optimum production whilst adhering to safety and security procedures, illustrates the capability to organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively. 

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

    Note: The ability to interpret instructions from the Marker/in the parcel in relation to the stone and implement corrective actions indicates the 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 to apply tools and equipment appropriately to effect balancing of diamonds and to organise equipment and machinery effectively illustrates the capability to use science and technology. 

    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:
  • 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.
  • Workplace diamond gemstone security system.
  • Working Guides, tariff agreements, policies and procedures.
  • 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
    Elective  78843   National Certificate: Diamond Processing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  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.