Diamond and Gemstone Setter

The purpose of the Occupational Certificate: Diamond and Gemstone Setter is to prepare a learner to operate as a Diamond and Gemstone Setter. A Diamond and Gemstone Setter sets the stone and gems into a jewellery item to enhance the appearance of, to add value and to complete a jewellery item. A qualified learner will be able to: • Prepare for stone setting. • Conduct basic stone setting. • Refurbish jewellery item and replace the stone. • Perform advanced and complex stone setting in a variety of jewellery items.

The qualification is aimed at aspirant artisans who wish to start or follow a career in the jewellery manufacturing industry and specialise in gem and diamond setting. Diamond and gemstone setting requires the mastery of a large number of specialised skills, all of which require a high degree of comprehensive training, practice and workplace experience. At present, individual businesses provide in-house training programmes. However, none of these training programmes produce qualified setters. As a result, several individuals within the industry possess the necessary skills but are not recognised as qualified setters. Individual businesses, including small businesses, provide training through shadowing and direct personal training. A recognised, formal and accredited qualification will be of great benefit to the industry given the extreme shortage of qualified diamond and Gemstone Setters. The skill levels of setters may vary, from basic skill workers who will be utilised in the mass manufacturing environment, to highly specialised and expert practitioners (qualified setters) that will typically provide high-end setting services required by the high-end business. The majority of Diamond and Gemstone Setters work as entrepreneurs, as service providers to sectors of the jewellery manufacturing community who, for several reasons, do not employ their diamond setters. The qualification will contribute towards the continued beneficiation of resources in South Africa, vital in a time when the global market offers great competition in this field. The holders of such a qualification will add to the value chain in the industry, and will ideally be able to work in many and diverse manufacturing facilities, ranging from small enterprises that employ only a few artisans, to medium-sized businesses and large mass production concerns that employ a large number of Goldsmiths and Diamond and Gemstone Setters. This will enhance the national capacity to operate in the global marketplace. The individual learners qualified as Setters can grow into Master Setters, progress to managing individual businesses as entrepreneurs while, within existing businesses, individuals can go into production management.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 2 qualification.

• Prepare the workbench and workspace, tools, materials and equipment to be ready for setting stones into a variety of jewellery items.
• Perform a variety of different setting and finishing techniques using a combination of different shapes and types of stones to enhance and add value to a variety of complex jewellery items.