Mesa mining family featured on hit reality show "Turquoise Fever" 

(September 4, 2019 -- MESA, Ariz. ) Meet the dynasty-next-door. At first blush, most people wouldn't assume Mesa residents Tony and Emily Otteson to be reality TV stars. For the last 60 years, the Otteson family has been staking claims around Tonopah, Nevada, unearthing some of the most valuable turquoise in the world. Now, the family is striking it rich in TV gold with a hit reality show on the INSP network. 

The Ottesons star in a new reality-television show, “Turquoise Fever,” which chronicles the life of the Mesa resident and his turquoise-mining family as they continue to make a living searching for the sky-blue stone.

The show, an INSP original series, comprises six episodes detailing how the family battles blistering days and freezing nights, detonates explosives on treacherous slopes and struggles to pull enough turquoise from the Nevada desert to keep their business going for a fourth generation.

For three generations the Otteson clan has battled blistering hot days and freezing cold nights to unearth some of the most sought-after turquoise in the world. The conditions in the Great Basin Desert are frequently inhospitable, and the dangers intense.  From detonating explosives on treacherous slopes to the pressure of meeting the demands of international buyers, every day is an adventure. And, there is always a thin line between complete failure and striking it rich.

There are currently some 20 mines throughout the American Southwest that supply gem-quality turquoise — a majority of which are in Nevada.  The Otteson family controls the majority of them. 

Tony Otteson says the riveting show is filled with the blood, sweat and tears it takes to unearth the valuable gemstone. "Turquoise is my family's passion," he says.  The Otteson family supplies the majority of of the turquoise commercially used for jewelry today through their wholesale and retail company Silver State Turquoise. In addition to mining and operating their global turquoise distribution business, Tony and Emily Otteson are accomplished jewelry designers. Their line 'Written in the Stones' features contemporary and avant-garde designs featuring turquoise, white buffalo and pearls.  The collection retails exclusively online and will open its first retail location in Scottsdale later this year.

"Turquoise jewelry has always been exceptionally valuable and highly sought-after by collectors," Emily explains. "We supply stones to major retailers like Free People and Anthropology which has boosted the demand for trendy boho-style turquoise jewelry at an affordable price point," she says.  

Since the show debuted, sales for Written in the Stones jewelry has skyrocketed."Our jewelry is very unique, it's not the typical heavy Navajo jewelry people think of when they think of turquoise. It's very delicate, minimalistic and pretty which has made it a huge hit with Instagram influencers and trendsetters," she said. 

“Every single stone in jewelry has a story behind it — and it might be great or sad. I want people to understand the stories behind each stone,” Tony said. 

'Turquoise Fever' is a Glassman Media production airs Wednesday at 8:00pm on general entertainment network INSP. It is carried locally on Channel 12 by Cox and HD Channel 364 by DirectTV.

Tony and Emily are available for on-camera, in-studio and phone interviews. Additional photos and show clips available. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

Photo Gallery:

1. Tony Otteson, star of Turquoise Fever on INSP

2. Emily Otteson, jewelry designer and star of Turquoise Fever on INSP 

3. Mined turquoise 

4. Exploding the mine to search for stones