Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:59 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:59 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Use a faceting machine
Use a faceting machine
Unit of competency
National Code
CUVOPA403A
CUVOPA403A
State Code
S7694
S7694
TGA Status
Deleted
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
Deleted
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
06/11/2014
Field of Education
100307 - Jewellery Making
Original Release Date
06/11/2014
Nominal Hours
35
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use a faceting machine to facet opal, including selecting material, pre-forming, and cutting and polishing a selected stone. The machine may be used to produce a traditional faceted gemstone and also to complete a range of other tasks, such as making cubes from opal material.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Set up faceting equipment
- 1.1 Set up faceting machines to manufacturers’ specifications identifying machine components and laps
- 1.2 Complete manufacturers’ maintenance checklist
- 1.3 Investigate index wheels for quill and identify main and critical angles for opal
2. Select, pre-shape and dop selected opal piece
- 2.1 Select piece of opal suitable for faceting
- 2.2 Pre-shape using faceting machine or bench grinder to establish crown and pavilion
- 2.3 Dop stone and work on pavilion first
3. Grind, sand and polish pavilion
- 3.1 Place dopped stone in quill and align to create girdle
- 3.2 Grind girdle to desired shape on medium to fine lap
- 3.3 Grind main facets at main angle on medium to fine lap
- 3.4 Grind girdle break facets at girdle break angle on fine lap
- 3.5 Grind culet facets at culet angle on fine or pre-polish lap
- 3.6 Fine lap, pre-polish and polish all pavilion facets including girdle
4. Transfer stone
- 4.1 Transfer stone to suitable dop
- 4.2 Remove crown dop and place new dop and stone in faceting quill
5. Grind, pre-polish and polish crown
- 5.1 Place girdle facet on lap at 90º, index setting 64 or 96 and lock quill
- 5.2 Grind girdle break facets at break angle establishing girdle thickness, on a medium to fine lap
- 5.3 Grind main facets at main angle on fine lap
- 5.4 Cut table facet on fine lap, to 40% of total width of stone
- 5.5 Pre-polish all crown facets
- 5.6 Grind star facets using pre-polish lap
- 5.7 Polish all facets
- 5.8 Remove stone from dop and clean
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Faceting machines may include:
Facetron (USA)
Gemmasta (Aus)
Graves (USA)
jamb peg
Platform
Poly-Metrics (USA)
Post
Raytech (USA)
Ultra Tec (USA).
Machine components may include:
angle vernier (protractor)
coarse and fine height adjuster
coolant tank
forward and reverse switch
handpiece (quill)
index wheel
master lap
radial vernier (cheater)
sliding post
variable speed control.
Laps’ diamond grit size may include:
coarse #80, #100, #120, #180
fine #800, #1000, #1200
medium #220, #320, #360, #400, #600
polish #14000, #50000, #10000
pre-polish #2400, #3000, #8000.
Maintenance checklist may include:
check electrics regularly for faults and water seepage
cover machine when not in use
keep all laps separate from each other
keep whole machine clean
oil and clean moving parts
read manufacturer manual and keep near machine.
Opal suitable for faceting may include:
Australian clear jelly opal
Australian electric blue opal
contra-luz
Mexican cherry opal
Mexican fire opal
any transparent opal.
Angles may include:
critical angle 43½º
crown main 43º
culet angle 44º
girdle breaks, main angle plus 6º to 15º
pavilion main 45º
star facets, main angle minus 15º
table facet 0º.
Faceting machines may include:
Facetron (USA)
Gemmasta (Aus)
Graves (USA)
jamb peg
Platform
Poly-Metrics (USA)
Post
Raytech (USA)
Ultra Tec (USA).
Machine components may include:
angle vernier (protractor)
coarse and fine height adjuster
coolant tank
forward and reverse switch
handpiece (quill)
index wheel
master lap
radial vernier (cheater)
sliding post
variable speed control.
Laps’ diamond grit size may include:
coarse #80, #100, #120, #180
fine #800, #1000, #1200
medium #220, #320, #360, #400, #600
polish #14000, #50000, #10000
pre-polish #2400, #3000, #8000.
Maintenance checklist may include:
check electrics regularly for faults and water seepage
cover machine when not in use
keep all laps separate from each other
keep whole machine clean
oil and clean moving parts
read manufacturer manual and keep near machine.
Opal suitable for faceting may include:
Australian clear jelly opal
Australian electric blue opal
contra-luz
Mexican cherry opal
Mexican fire opal
any transparent opal.
Angles may include:
critical angle 43½º
crown main 43º
culet angle 44º
girdle breaks, main angle plus 6º to 15º
pavilion main 45º
star facets, main angle minus 15º
table facet 0º.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
select opal pieces suitable for faceting
use faceting equipment to produce and polish a faceted opal that conforms to industry standards
follow all OHS requirements for machinery and equipment procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a faceting machine
appropriate consumables.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of processes and procedures
oral and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills
evaluation of the final product and other methods as required
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by candidate.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
select opal pieces suitable for faceting
use faceting equipment to produce and polish a faceted opal that conforms to industry standards
follow all OHS requirements for machinery and equipment procedures.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
a faceting machine
appropriate consumables.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
observation of processes and procedures
oral and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills
evaluation of the final product and other methods as required
review of portfolios of evidence
review of third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by candidate.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended.
No information
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D669 | CUV40611 | Certificate IV in Opal Cutting and Polishing | Qualification |