Trob I don't really have an answer but ill share my thoughts.
I do not have a table at my house so havent considered brand and style much.
Since starting out in bar before really learning how to play, i have seen so much shit on bar boxes.
Dead rails, drinks spilled, ripped felt. grooves along the rail. so the ball doesnt bounce. just follows along the rail into the pocket.
Dead nipples. I remember having a ball bounce off a cigerette burn the one time.
But like you guys said valleys are more about the drinking and having fun at the bar.
So after the bars then experienceing fast felt on quality 9 foot tables. What I am trying to say is I'm always paying attention to quality of the table, and having to adjust to felt speed, roll of the table if it isnt prefectly level and all that.
The 9f GCs at the place weve currently been going to are great looking tables. But we have noticed that most of them have a slight roll out.
So long slow shots down the rail can roll away from the corner on one side and toward it on the other,.
It can be distracting working on your own game, and also contending with stuff happening on the table that shouldnt.
From what i understand that isnt a quick fix. they would have to relevel the slabs on all those tables.
My impression of diamonds in the past, at least aesthetics wise. Ive only encountered black ones with silver diamonds.
I think of them as tools of the trade, solid and functional. not fancy.
Sorry for the rambling, just trying to get my thoughts out