Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 4:59 AM 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.

Cut gemstone spheres and beads

Cut gemstone spheres and beads

Unit of competency
National Code
MEM19064
State Code
OET85
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
19/12/2022
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/04/2023
Field of Education
100307 - Jewellery Making
Original Release Date
19/04/2023
Nominal Hours
27
Description
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to produce gemstone spheres and beads, including the selection of the rough gemstone through to the drilling and final polishing. It is based on deleted unit CUVOPA404A Cut opal spheres and beads.This unit applies to individuals processing gemstones in a small or large-scale production context. They use and adapt technical knowledge and skills to produce work.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.Band: BUnit Weight: 3
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine job requirements
  • 1.1 Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • 1.2 Comply with work health and safety (WHS) requirements at all times
  • 1.3 Identify job requirements from specifications
  • 1.4 Investigate methods of making spheres and beads
2. Prepare to use bead and sphere making equipment
  • 2.1 Set up bead mill, sphere-making equipment and drills in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications
  • 2.2 Complete manufacturer’s maintenance checklist
  • 2.3 Select materials suitable for making spheres or beads
  • 2.4 Pre-form gemstones using saw or grinder to produce required shape
  • 2.5 Grind shape corners to establish rounded form dop stone and work on pavilion first
3. Produce and drill gemstones beads
  • 3.1 Use appropriate holder templates throughout the process
  • 3.2 Grind pre-formed beads in bead mill until they are rounded
  • 3.3 Remove and clean bead materials discarding faulty or broken gemstones
  • 3.4 Select required beads for drilling
  • 3.5 Place bead in bead vice, drill half way into the bead, turn over, check alignment and drill the other half ensuring a cut hole through the bead
4. Polish beads
  • 4.1 Grind beads in a tumble polisher until requirements are met, using increasingly fine grinding medium
  • 4.2 Clean tumbler and beads at every change over
  • 4.3 Clean beads thoroughly after the final grind
  • 4.4 Place ground beads in the tumbler with polishing medium and tumble to a high lustre
  • 4.5 Clean finished beads thoroughly with water to meet requirements
5. Produce gemstone spheres
  • 5.1 Select gemstones to make spheres and pre-form the spheres
  • 5.2 Grind the spheres in a sphere maker with water and increasingly fine grinding medium
  • 5.3 Clean spheres thoroughly at each change over
  • 5.4 Polish cleaned sphere with polishing medium and water using leather sphere cups
No information
No information
No information