1. The Bug Hole (The Dealbreaker) 🆘

The Look: A tiny, needle-sized puncture, usually surrounded by a faint yellowish or "corky" ring. The Cause: These happen when a bug nibbles on the shell before it fully hardens into wood. The area stops growing, resulting in a mature defect that won't ever "color" properly.

2. The Sand Eye (The Natural Mark) 🆘

The Look: These often get mistaken for bug holes, but they are different. "Sand eyes" are tiny, natural indentations caused by the walnut's growth environment. How to tell: Unlike bug holes, sand eyes don't have that "decayed" yellow ring. They are just part of the shell's unique texture.