The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighCPSC·08603·Announced 2008-08-28

GIA Instruments Recalls Polariscopes Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

GIA Instruments is recalling Illuminator Polariscopes 415000 and 415 because a missing ground wire poses a risk of electrical shock.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (electrical shock) where injury has been reported (minor electric shock), fitting the High severity criteria for risk-of-harm products.

Plain-English summary

GIA Instruments of Carlsbad, Calif., is recalling about 8,000 Illuminator Polariscopes, models 415000 and 415. The recalled instruments are white with the model number printed on the underside. A polariscope is an instrument used by gemologists to assist in gem identification.

The recall is due to a risk of electrical shock. The polariscopes can have a ground wire missing. GIA has received four reports of consumers experiencing minor electric shock.

The products were sold nationwide from January 1996 through June 2007 for between $255 and $340. They were sold through GIA schools, GIA's Web site, product catalogs, distributors, and trade shows. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled product and contact GIA Instruments to schedule a free retrofit of the Polariscope with a ground wire. GIA is notifying all consumers directly.

The recalled product

Product
Illuminator Polariscopes 415000 and 415
Manufacturer
GIA Instruments, of Carlsbad, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Scientific Instruments
Hazard
Affected units
8,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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