As a young miner, Samuel Stöltzel sets off for Meissen in 1706 to learn the art of gold-making from the infamous alchemist Friedrich Böttger - not least to win the heart of his beloved Sophie. Instead of the longed-for gold that King Augustus needs to finance his wars, the invention of porcelain takes place. Disappointed, Samuel must watch as the emerging manufactory is torn apart by power struggles between Böttger, the creative mind, and Nehmitz, the court official. Samuel is forced to flee to Vienna with the secret of production, where he hopes for a new opportunity for himself and the white gold.