Why is silence golden? Why couldn't it have been Ruby or Sapphire?

might have something to do with the midas touch - women turned to gold don't talk

I don't think it's any of the above. They're all hard, solid surfaces, glaring, frequently ugly, and always slightly intimidating. I get the precious thing, but that would depend on selling it. Silence has no market value, so we need an analogy depending on its use-value.

I think it's more like cotton wool. Sometimes it's soft and soothing, other times it's suffocating. And nobody really knows what it means. It's the padding while you're waiting for something significant to happen. Geddit?

Because gold is more precious than rubies or sapphires. Silence can be the most precious thing ever.

It's just an expression to describe the value of silence. Gold was chosen because it is traditionally used as currency of high value. Quite often used to pay for someones silence!

Have you ever heard silence? It is very difficult if not impossible. Gold is a very rare thing to find, as rare as silence?

ruby/sapphire = gems/precious stones

gold = precious metal

Because, silence is golden, and duct tape is silver!

That's just the way it is.

Think silence is 'golden' as it 'might' relate to the sun inna forest/clearing etc.......

gold is basicaly indestructable,therefore,so is keeping your own counsell,so precious above all else.

i just think the whole dang question is precious LOL