Hearth Record

GIA Instruments Recalls Polariscopes Due to Shock Hazard

Home product recall 08-603. Announced by CPSC on Aug 28, 2008.

  • CPSC: stop using it
CPSC’s own notice, on cpsc.gov

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The short answer

Announced by CPSC on Aug 28, 2008. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.

Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

The polariscopes can have a ground wire missing, posing a risk of electrical shock to the user.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What should you do?

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.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: For additional information, contact GIA Instruments at (800) 421-8161 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gia.edu

Which ones are recalled?

The recalled polariscopes are white in color with model number 415000 or 415 printed on the underside of the instrument. A polariscope is an instrument used by gemologists to assist in gem identification.

About 8,000 units, as CPSC gives them.

Illuminator Polariscopes 415000 and 415.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

CPSC’s photos

CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.

Who made and sold it?

  • Made by GIA Instruments, Carlsbad, Calif.
  • GIA schools, GIA’s Web site, product catalogs, distributors and trade shows nationwide from January 1996 through June 2007 for between $255 and $340.
  • Made in United States, as the notice gives it.
Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

Was anyone hurt?

GIA has received four reports of consumers experiencing minor electric shock.

Source:

CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
  • The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.

    Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.

Source:

Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 8, 2026. Updated monthly.

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