Since income and savings typically increase dramatically with age, it is indirectly an age thing. I can see $9,000 being a lot for an early 20-something to be able to spend on a jewelry purchase, especially because you're smack in the middle off the age group where you arguably have the most competing large priorities for your money (ie saving for your first house, investing in a career worthy wardrobe, student debt, building savings/emergency fund, a grown up car, etc). Also, I don't know many people in their 20s, and especially not in their
early twenties, who have six figures in savings.
When we got engaged, my husband was 27, had around six figures saved (we were also house hunting), and spent 16k cash on my first engagement ring. At the time, this seemed like a fortune. I remember him telling me that he was also considering one with one color level better but that it was just over the 20k mark once tax was included, and I very seriously told him that that would have been WAY too much to spend and that I'd have honestly been upset with him.
OP (assuming you're the bride to be??), get what you/your fiance can comfortably afford. If that price seems too expensive, keep shopping. But don't necessarily rule out an upgrade just yet. Chance are your perspective will change greatly between now and 20 years from now.