Orsola is a young woman growing up in a respected family of Murano glassmakers. Driven by curiosity and a desire for financial independence, she secretly learns the less prestigious art of making glass beads. She balances her creative ambitions with heavy domestic responsibilities as she slowly ages across the centuries.

Laura is the matriarch of the Rosso family. Following the sudden death of her husband, she relies on psychological manipulation and shrewd guidance to ensure her sons manage the family workshop responsibly. She demands absolute loyalty and consistently prioritizes the collective good of the family over individual desires.

Marco is Orsola's eldest brother who inherits control of the Rosso family workshop at a young age. Brash, emotional, and sometimes impulsive, he struggles to balance his artistic desires with the practical demands of running a business. He fiercely guards his authority but remains highly responsive to the practical advice of the women in his life.

Monica is the daughter of a fisherman who enters the Rosso household and later becomes Marco's second wife. Confident and outspoken, she brings a highly pragmatic mindset to the family business. She acts as a stabilizing force for Marco and openly supports the female members of the household in seeking financial autonomy.

Antonio is the son of a Venetian fisherman who breaks tradition by seeking an apprenticeship in the closed world of Murano glassmaking. Hard-working and ambitious, he longs to master the craft and explore the wider world. His desire for artistic and personal freedom frequently puts him at odds with the rigid rules of the glassmaking community.

Klingenberg is a pragmatic German merchant operating in Venice. He represents the broader forces of global trade, demonstrating both business acumen and a detached willingness to profit from systems of exploitation. He proves adaptable to the changing economic tides of the city and serves as a crucial buyer for Orsola's glass beads.

Stefano is a skilled artisan from the traditional Barovier glassmaking family. Brought into the Rosso workshop to fill gaps in their production, he represents stability and strict adherence to Murano's traditions. He is a patient, nurturing presence who finds quiet joy in his family life and practical work.

Giacomo is Orsola's older brother who works steadily in the family glassmaking business. He is reliable but lacks the fierce ambition of his older brother, eventually settling down with Monica's cousin Isabella.

Stella is Orsola's youngest sister. She grows up yearning for a life beyond the strict confines of Murano and eventually seeks new experiences away from the island as a nurse.

Domenego is a Black man from Ghana enslaved by the Klingenberg family to work as their gondolier. He becomes a discreet and trusted friend to Orsola, offering her a broader perspective on the world outside Venice.

Luciana is a shrewd young woman from Venice who specializes in the industrial production of seed beads. Her entry into the Rosso family brings both financial survival and significant cultural friction to the traditional household.

Raffaele is Marco's son who shows immense promise as a glassmaker. As he grows, he displays an independent streak that directly challenges the family's expectations of absolute loyalty to the Murano workshop.

Klara is the young daughter of the German merchant Klingenberg. She becomes a trusted confidante and eventual business partner to Orsola, bridging the gap between their different social worlds.

Maria is a female glassmaker running her own successful workshop. She serves as an early inspiration for Orsola, showing her that women can participate in the craft by making small glass beads.

Lorenzo is the patriarch of the Rosso family and a respected glassmaker. His unexpected death forces his young sons to take over the workshop prematurely.

Nicoletta is Marco's first wife. Her life is tragically cut short when she contracts the plague while pregnant with her second child.