But manufacturers point out it is not overly superior. You can pigment the silicone and get very bright colors, and the colors don't deteriorate substantially over time. Silicone withstands light, heat and atmospheric conditions. Silicone resists soiling and maintains its finish. The material is very inert and inactive, which is why they can use it in the human body.
Silly putty is a form of silicone.
But I also espouse a theory that the cost far outweighs the benefit, and that's where it becomes a status thing. There is always a certain strata who are willing to pay for a sports car rather than a sedan, though both will get you there just as well. Silicone has become a cult thing, almost a fad, simply because it's very expensive. Radtke is no different from the other makers in jealously guarding his ingredients and process. He builds his own molds, and that saves a tremendous amount of money.