Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:01 PM AWST
23/07/2026 5:01 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.
Production cut and polish opal
Production cut and polish opal
Unit of competency
National Code
CUVOPA402A
CUVOPA402A
State Code
S7693
S7693
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 cut and polish opal to meet trade requirements so that the operation is completed in minimum time.Those applying the skills and knowledge covered by this unit cut and polish opals on a continuous basis producing pieces that comply with trade requirements. The cutting must be done in such a way that the cutting business is viable and the stone meets trade requirements.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Select the machinery and consumables for production cutting opal
- 1.1 Select the machinery, consumables and adhesives
- 1.2 Select the lighting equipment for UV-sensitive adhesives
- 1.3 Obtain material safety data sheets (MSDS) for materials used
2. Identify and coordinate resources
- 2.1 Determine sources and cost of rough opal and obtain supplies
- 2.2 Determine sources and cost of consumables, including backing material and triplet tops, and obtain supplies
- 2.3 Record information about suppliers and costs
- 2.4 Set up stock management system
3. Review the layout of the workshop and set up machinery and equipment for production cutting
- 3.1 Review workshop layout in relation to production cutting and make adjustments to facilitate workflow where required
- 3.2 Set up multi-blade saw, grinder, sander, polisher and lighting equipment to manufacturers’ specifications
- 3.3 Set up dopping rack and other racks and containers as needed
4. Cut and polish opal to industry requirements within the time constraints of the production process
- 4.1 Cut and polish opals to trade requirements within the predetermined time constraints
- 4.2 Use appropriate dopping techniques for production work
- 4.3 Ensure opals satisfy trade requirements for standard millimetre sizes for particular applications
- 4.4 Follow OHS requirements for machinery, equipment and consumables
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.
Machinery may include:
cabochon cutting machine
cabochon pre-former
diamond sintered wheel grinder
faceting unit pre-former
high speed sanding unit
multi-blade trim saw
pumice pre-polishing unit
soft diamond wheel sanding and polishing unit
spongy wheel sanding unit
triplet slicing machine
UV light box
vibro tumbler.
Consumables and adhesives may include:
#400 acid treated silicon carbide powder
backing material
blackening agent
dopping wax or adhesive
epoxy adhesive
grinding wheels
polishing powder (cerium oxide)
polishing wheels (diamond or felt)
red sealing wax
rough opal
sanding wheels (diamond or spongy)
trim saw blades
triplet slicing blades: 120, 140, 160 and 180
triplet tops
UV adhesive
water and electricity.
Backing materials may include:
black jade
black potch (best)
boulder iron stone
clear or transparent potch
dark grey potch
glass (triplet only)
obsidian (black)
vitrolite (triplet only).
Stock management system may include:
avoiding cutting irregular sizes or shapes to minimise slow stock
maintaining rough opal and consumable supplies
regularly checking continuity of consumables with suppliers
stocking popular sizes to meet new markets.
Dopping techniques may include:
5-minute epoxy glue
aluminium or wooden dop sticks
collapsible rack for holding dop sticks
green or red sealing wax
vacuum dopping
wood glues.
Standard millimetre sizes may require:
consistent accurate sizes
no grinding marks or sanding marks on surface.
Machinery may include:
cabochon cutting machine
cabochon pre-former
diamond sintered wheel grinder
faceting unit pre-former
high speed sanding unit
multi-blade trim saw
pumice pre-polishing unit
soft diamond wheel sanding and polishing unit
spongy wheel sanding unit
triplet slicing machine
UV light box
vibro tumbler.
Consumables and adhesives may include:
#400 acid treated silicon carbide powder
backing material
blackening agent
dopping wax or adhesive
epoxy adhesive
grinding wheels
polishing powder (cerium oxide)
polishing wheels (diamond or felt)
red sealing wax
rough opal
sanding wheels (diamond or spongy)
trim saw blades
triplet slicing blades: 120, 140, 160 and 180
triplet tops
UV adhesive
water and electricity.
Backing materials may include:
black jade
black potch (best)
boulder iron stone
clear or transparent potch
dark grey potch
glass (triplet only)
obsidian (black)
vitrolite (triplet only).
Stock management system may include:
avoiding cutting irregular sizes or shapes to minimise slow stock
maintaining rough opal and consumable supplies
regularly checking continuity of consumables with suppliers
stocking popular sizes to meet new markets.
Dopping techniques may include:
5-minute epoxy glue
aluminium or wooden dop sticks
collapsible rack for holding dop sticks
green or red sealing wax
vacuum dopping
wood glues.
Standard millimetre sizes may require:
consistent accurate sizes
no grinding marks or sanding marks on surface.
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:
cut opal in a production environment meeting industry and quality standards and working with commercial constraints
select machinery and consumables
organise the workshop for production cutting
handle OHS issues appropriately.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
production cutting and polishing equipment, tools and 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
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:
cut opal in a production environment meeting industry and quality standards and working with commercial constraints
select machinery and consumables
organise the workshop for production cutting
handle OHS issues appropriately.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
production cutting and polishing equipment, tools and 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
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 |