Last update: 6th of January 2011

Holy Paladin Gemming & Enchanting

Gems in Cataclysm are a mixed bag. In WOTLK you would see paladins ignore socket bonuses completely (since almost none were intellect, our main stat by a mile). In Cataclysm, socket bonuses are pretty clear: they are typically 10 of a stat per gem socket. If an item has three sockets it will have a 30 stat socket bonus. This makes them pretty attractive, and from the standpoint of pre-first tier raiding getting socket bonuses seems to be a good thing for holy paladins.

Ideal Gem Choice

Red sockets - Brilliant Inferno Ruby
Yellow sockets - Reckless Ember Topaz
Blue sockets - Purified Demonseye
Meta gem - Ember Shadowspirit Diamond

Jewelcrafters: Ideally you'll have three sockets to put Brilliant Chimera's Eye gems into.

Enchanting

While enchanting you want to pick the important stats like: intellect, spirit, haste, mastery, crit. To do this, the following enchants should be used.

Helm:
Arcanum of Hyjal
Guardians of Hyjal - Revered

Shoulders:
Greater Inscription of Charged Lodestone
Therazane - Exalted

Alternative: Lesser Inscription of Charged Lodestone
Therazane - Honored
If you're not fully exalted the blue enchant is the way to go.

Back:
Enchant Cloak - Greater Intellect
Enchanting 510

Alternative: Enchant Cloak - Intellect
Enchanting 465
The lesser enchant could be used on items that you'll be upgrading shortly.

Chest:
Enchant Chest - Exceptional Spirit
Enchanting 495

Alternative: Enchant Chest - Peerless Stats
Enchanting 525
The choice is yours. I prefer min/maxing regen, though peerless stats will give you spirit and intellect (20 each).

Wrist:
Enchant Bracer - Exceptional Spirit
Enchanting 505

Enchant Bracer - Greater Speed
Enchanting 525
The greater speed will get better when mana starts to not be a problem. In early Cataclysm mana is easily consumed so the spirit wins. 65 stat points compared to 50 will probably make the haste better later in the game.

Hands:
Enchant Gloves - Haste
Enchanting 455

Alternative: Enchant Gloves - Greater Mastery
Enchanting 525
The 50 stat points versus 65 issue again. Mastery is a great deal worse for holy paladins in early Cataclysm than haste is, so the haste wins.

Waist:
Ebonsteel Belt Buckle
Blacksmithing 525

Legs:
Powerful Ghostly Spellthread
Tailoring 525

Alternative: Ghostly Spellthread
Tailoring 460

Feet:
Enchant Boots - Lavawalker
Enchanting 525
OR
Enchant Boots - Earthen Vitality
Enchanting 425
This is also a bit hard to decide. If you pick up Pursuit of Justice in your spec you should go with something that doesn't have run speed. Almost all specs will not have this talent.

Weapon:
Enchant Weapon - Power Torrent
Enchanting 525

Alternative: Enchant Weapon - Heartsong
Enchanting 485
Power torrent gives a huge boost to intellect while Heartsong gives a not-so-huge boost to Spirit (but it's still good). Get Power Torrent if you can.

Shield:
Enchant Off-Hand - Superior Intellect
Enchanting 500