Black Walnut or Mahogany for a jewelry or keepsake box?

For a jewelry or keepsake box, Black Walnut and Mahogany are closely matched, both are reasonable choices, so the decision comes down to the specific trade-offs below and your own preference.

This verdict is generated from the same project-suitability scoring that powers our wood picker and guides, weighing hardness, movement, workability, and typical use for this project. It’s a starting point, not the last word: your budget, look, and what your lumberyard stocks all matter too.

Black Walnut
Mahogany
Hardness (Janka)
1010 lbf
800 lbf
Cost
Premium
Exotic
Workability
Excellent
Excellent
Seasonal movement
Small
Small
Full Black Walnut profile →Full Mahogany profile →Best woods for a jewelry or keepsake box