Buckeye Nuts - Quarter Size - Twenty-Five Nuts The buckeye nut has a rich, mellow, warm-brown shell highlighted by a beige eye. They are great for making necklaces, other jewelry and craft projects. The buckeye's five-fingered leaflets and nut were adopted by The Ohio State University as its official symbol in 1950. Brutus Buckeye became The Ohio State University mascot in 1965. Folklore says that buckeyes bring good luck and prevent rheumatism, arthritis and headache.