The C not included, but which comprises the other four, is Cost. No matter
what your budget, you should be able to afford a diamond. Your diamond might be
smaller and have more inclusions than another, but this is nature’s variety.
Most people buy the best diamond they can reasonably afford. You might want to
ask your jeweler’s policy on upgrades. If you can’t afford that perfect one for
her now, you may be able to trade it in for a better quality in a few years at
a good price with the same jeweler.
There are lots of little rules about how much to spend on a diamond. One
popular rule is “two months’ salary.” But, in reality, how much or how little
you spend is entirely up to you.