Mini Buckeye Nuts - Dime Size & Smaller - Fifty 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. Folklore says that buckeyes bring good luck and prevent rheumatism, arthritis and headache. 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.