importance of opals

[Steve <bboy_mn@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48310

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "katienichol <katienichol at y...>"
<katienichol at y...> wrote:
> ...snip...  
> In CoS when Harry accidentally lands in Flourish and Blotts(**) he
> sees Draco looking at several dark magic items, including an opal 
> necklace with a sign that says "Caution: Do Not Touch.  Cursed.  
> Has Claimed the Lives of Nineteen Muggle Owners to Date."  
> 
> In GoF when Madame Maxime first makes her appearance at Hogwarts 
> she is described as wearing opal jewelry: ...snip... The fact that 
> Maxime wears opals must somehow be significant ...snip... 
> 
> I don't know that Maxime's death would qualify as "horrible to write" 
> for JKR, but it would certainly be horrible for Hagrid and perhaps 
> lead him into a situation that causes his own death.  What do you all 
> make of this?
> 
> "katienichol"

bboy_mn replies:

** It was Borgin & Burkes in Knockturn Alley, not Flourish and Blotts;
that's the book store. 

Opals in the story have alway puzzled me too, but I never thought to
bring it up. Why Opals? Why not Rubes? Why not Emeralds? Why not Pearls? 

Can anyone tell me if Opals have a special significants in British or
French culture? Are there Opal mines in France or one of the countries
that was a French terrritory? 

The use of Opals just seemed odd. When I think of
precious/semi-precious stones, Opals are not the ones that spring to
mind first, and I'm sure they are not the ones that come to most
people's minds. 

I know I'm not adding much to this discussion other that to agree with
you that I find the presents of and repeated mention of Opal odd. The
problem is, JKR is so tricky in inserting seemingly insignificant
details that become very significant later, as well as inserting
things that seem significant but are never heard from again, that I
can't even begin to speculate. Which is very unusual because I can
usually conjure up some speculation on virtually everything.

Again, I know I didn't help, but I agree, something is up with Opals.

Just a few (very few) thoughts.

bboy_mn