Jeff Self has been collecting in Colorado since he was a young boy. A Colorado native Jeff would spend summers in the San Juan Mountains working the mines with his grandfather Ralph. Jeff would sell Quartz, Hubnerite, Rhodochrosite and other minerals, out of a little red wagon, at the Silverton stop of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Now with his wife, Donna Ware, they spend as much time as possible in the field, digging on their minning claims that are scattered across Colorado. They recover fine specimens of Aquamarine, Phenakite, Fluorite etc., from Mount Antero ( where they have been working for 25 years ). Amozonite, Smoky Quartz, Fluorite etc., from the Crystal Peak area. Topaz from the Tarryall Mountains near Pilot Peak. Jeff and Donna have some of their best specimens on loan to the Colorado School of Mines Mineral Museum in Golden, Colorado.
Members of numerous mineral clubs- Colorado Mineral Society, North Jeffco Gem and Mineral Club, Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club, Denver Mining Club ( The Ragged Ass Miners ), Colorado Micromounters Club, Friends of the Colorado School of Mines Mineral Museum, & The Friends of Mineralogy- Colorado Chapter ( where they are the preservation committee ). They are currently working on a 'Miners Oral History Project' recording the stories of Colorado miners.
" The worst day in the field is better than the best day sitting at home watching television,"