Diamond Cleaving Techniques For Gemstone Processing Training

Learning Outcomes

• Apply diamond cleaving techniques to split rough diamonds along predetermined cleavage planes.
• Demonstrate the correct use of cleaving tools and equipment, including the cleaving hammer and blade.
• Analyse diamond crystal structures to identify optimal cleavage directions.
• Evaluate the quality of cleaved surfaces and make adjustments to technique as needed.
• Implement safety protocols to minimize risk during cleaving operations.
• Design a cleaving plan for a rough diamond based on its inclusions and grain lines.

Target Audience

This course is designed for individuals working in or entering the gemstone processing industry, including diamond cutters, polishers, and gemstone processing technicians. It is also suitable for jewellery manufacturers and artisans seeking to enhance their diamond handling and cleaving skills.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, prior experience in gemstone handling is beneficial.

Course Outline

Practicals

Overview

Hands-on practical sessions are integral to this course, allowing learners to develop precision cleaving skills under expert supervision. Learners will practice notching, striking, and evaluating cleaved surfaces on synthetic and natural diamonds, building confidence and proficiency.

Practical Activities

• Workshop Safety and Tool Familiarisation — Learners don PPE, inspect cleaving tools, and practice safe workstation setup. They identify cleavage planes on model diamonds. (2h)
• Notching and Striking on Synthetic Diamonds — Under supervision, learners notch and strike synthetic diamonds, focusing on angle and force control. They evaluate results and adjust technique. (4h)
• Cleaving Natural Diamonds with Complex Grain — Learners cleave natural diamonds containing inclusions or irregular grain, applying advanced grain analysis and stress management. (4h)
• Final Practical Assessment — Each learner cleaves a provided diamond independently, demonstrating all steps from inspection to post-cleaving evaluation. (2h)

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course via daily exercises, scored practical assignments, and a final summative test at the end.

Practical Assignments — 30%

Practical assignments are observed and scored against a rubric during the practical sessions. Each delegate's practical mark is averaged into a single 100% score and contributes 30% to the final total.

Daily Exercises — 20%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 20% to the final total.

Final Test — 50%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 50% to the overall mark.

Final Total

Component	Out of	Weight
Practical Assignments (rubric-scored)	100%	30%
Daily Average (multiple choice)	100%	20%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice)	100%	50%
Final Total	—	100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

How it works

• Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
• Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
• You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
• If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.

Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates	Discount
5	3% off
10	6% off
15	9% off
20	12% off
25	15% off
30	18% off
50	30% off
75	35% off
100	40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.