Common walnut is important for it's attractive timber, which is hard, dense, tight-grained and polishes to a very smooth finish. The colour ranges from coffee brown to a dark chocolate colour in the heartwood. Because of its colour, hardness and grain it is a prized doll's furniture and carving wood, and can also be used to simulate oak on wooden sailing vessels. Walnut is also used in lutherie, i.e. making stringed instruments.