Where did the slab cut garnets used in much of the 6th to 8th Century of the Anglo-Saxon, Frank and Germanic  jewelry come from?  Trying to make these garnet slabs with modern garnets sold as jewelry is quite a challenge!  So how were these cultures able to produce their beautiful jewelry?

If you look at the 6th Century, you find the influence of the Catholic Church was spreading throughout the world.  Many formerly pagan tribes were converted to the church throughout the world.  This conversion opened up trade routes formerly closed and by this very trade, these precious garnets made their way to the craftsmen of Anglo-Saxon, Frank and Germanic people.