Since the Petrus list of all gems and enchants includes, well, all of them, I think it's reasonable to drop the recommended guide to only the good ones. With that in mind, I've reduced the number of options mentioned in a few of these sections.
Blue Gem Slot
Solid Sky Sapphire - +24 Stamina, Crafted (Jewelcrafting 390)
Enduring Forest Emerald - +8 Defense Rating and +12 Stamina, Crafted (Jewelcrafting)
Digren says, "
Put a Solid Sky Sapphire in every blue gem slot. Consider a red/blue gem only if it's required to activate a meta gem and you have no other red slots."
Yellow Gem Slot
Thick Autumn's Glow - +16 Defense Rating, Crafted (Jewelcrafting 390)
Enduring Forest Emerald - +8 Defense Rating, +12 Stamina, Crafted (Jewelcrafting)
Digren says, "
With the need to stack defense early in WotLK to be uncrittable, straight defense gems may be viable in yellow slots. Most should choose the combo stamina gems for refined balance of avoidance and effective health above 540 defense."
Any Slot
Bold Dragon's Eye - +27 Strength, Crafted (Jewelcrafting 375 Self Only
Thick Dragon's Eye - +27 Defense Rating, Crafted (Jewelcrafting 375 Self Only)
Solid Dragon's Eye - +41 Stamina, Crafted (Jewelcrafting 375 Self Only)
Digren says, "
Jewelcrafter tanks have these great options to choose from. The need for early defense makes the Thick Dragon's Eye quite attractive, but the slightly-better-than-average ratio for the Solid Dragon's Eye tilts in its favor as well. Start with one or more defense rating gems, then migrate to stamina as your gear allows."
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Enchanting
Whether attained through enchanting, some other trade skill, or through purchased kits, the options for enchanting are much more varied than with gems. Unfortunately the strategy is less flexible, as the general rule is "if there's a WotLK enchant for defense rating, use it." Slots without a strong contender for best enchant have greater flexiblity, such as the continued option for threat enhancement in the hand slot, or the trade off for mobility on boots.
Head
Arcanum of the Stalwart Protector - +37 Stamina and +20 Defense Rating, The Argent Crusade (Revered)
Digren says, "
There's no other option. Grind the faction and get this."
Shoulders
Lesser Inscription of the Pinnacle, +15 Dodge Rating and +10 Defense Rating, The Sons of Hodir (Honored)
Greater Inscription of the Pinnacle, +20 Dodge Rating and +15 Defense Rating, The Sons of Hodir (Exalted)
Greater Inscription of Warding /
Greater Inscription of the Knight, +15 Dodge Rating and +10 Defense Rating, The Aldor / The Scryers (Exalted)
Master's Inscription of the Pinnacle - +52 Dodge Rating and +15 Defense Rating, Crafted (Inscription 400 Self Only)
Digren says, "
Inscribers, get your self-only armor buff here. The rest of us will keep using our BC inscriptions (as long as 8x Fel Armaments run less than 75g) until we've earned the incremental upgrade."
Back
Enchant Cloak - Titanweave - +16 Defense Rating, Crafted (Enchanting 435)
Digren says, "
The relatively new defense enchants take what used to be a weak enchant slot and make it quite good. There's little reason to take less than the best. Are there any tankadin tailors?
"I didn't think so."
Chest
Enchant Chest - Greater Defense - +22 Defense Rating
Enchant Chest - Super Health - +275 Health
Enchant Chest - Powerful Stats - +10 all stats
Heavy Borean Armor Kit - +18 Stamina
Digren says, "
Again, the new defense enchants surpass all the other options. +Health provides no talent or Kings multipliers and yields no spell power."
Wrist
Enchant Bracers - Greater Assault - +50 Attack Power, Crafted (Enchanting 430)
Enchant Bracer - Major Defense - +12 Defense Rating, Crafted (Enchanting 320)
Enchant Bracers - Greater Stats - +6 All Stats, Crafted (Enchanting 400)
Enchant Bracer - Fortitude - +12 Stamina, Crafted (Enchanting 350)
Fur Lining - Attack Power - +114 Attack Power, Crafted (Leatherworking 400 Self Only)
Fur Lining - Stamina - +90 Stamina, Crafted (Leatherworking 400 Self Only)
Enchant Bracer - Major Stamina (New in 3.0.8) - +40 Stamina (Enchanting 450)
Petrus says: "
In 3.0.8, 40 stamina is king. By about a mile and a half."
Digren adds, "
Once 3.0.8 releases, rest of these options will be blown away. Just put defense on them for now and don't worry about it. Sorry for losing almost half of your relative bonus, leatherworker tankadins."
Waist
Eternal Belt Buckle - Prismatic Socket, Crafted (Blacksmithing 415)
Digren says, "
Poor tankadin engineers. They have to sacrifice the standard enchant, losing defense or stamina, to apply their profession to most slots, and their only unique slot has nothing of note for tanks. Note that the gem socket does stack with the engineering options."
Hands
Enchant Gloves - Crusher - +44 Attack Power, Crafted (Enchanting 425)
Enchant Gloves - Armsman - +2% Threat and +10 Parry Rating, Crafted (Enchanting 435)
Enchant Gloves - Threat - +2% Threat, Crafted (Enchanting 300)
Heavy Borean Armor Kit - +18 Stamina, Crafted (Leatherworking 395)
Hand-Mounted Pyro Rocket - Allows you to deal 1035 to 1265 fire damage to an enemy at range, 1 minute cooldown, Crafted (Engineering 400 Only)
Digren says, "
Two years ago, every paladin would have switched to engineering for a convenient pulling tool. Today, the young tankadins might start with the armor kit for a stamina boost, and switch to +threat as DPS players scale up their gear."
Legs
Frosthide Leg Armor- +22 Agility and +55 Stamina, Crafted (Leatherworking 425)
Jormungar Leg Armor - +15 Agility and +45 Stamina, Crafted (Leatherworking 405)
Jormungar Leg Reinforcements - +22 Agility and +55 Stamina, Crafted (Leatherworking 405 Self Only)
Digren says, "
Leatherworkers get a leg up with their BoP pattern, but everyone eventually reaches Frosthide as the best, if expensive, leg enchant."
Feet
Enchant Boots - Greater Assault - +32 Attack Power, Crafted (Enchanting 440)
Enchant Boots - Tuskarr's Vitality - +15 Stamina and +8% Run Speed, Crafted (Enchanting 440)
Enchant Boots - Boar's Speed - +9 Stamina and +8% Run Speed, Crafted (Enchanting 360)
Enchant Boots - Greater Fortitude - +22 Stamina, Crafted (Enchanting 385)
Digren says, "
As usual, controversy will erupt between those that choose Pursuit of Justice and the stamina enchant, and those that put the speed on their feet. Either are reasonable based on your choice of spec."
Shield
Enchant Shield - Defense - +20 Defense Rating, Crafted (Enchanting 420)
Enchant Shield - Shield Block - +15 Block Rating, Crafted (Enchanting 340)
Enchant Shield - Major Stamina - +18 Stamina, Crafted (Enchanting 325)
Digren says, "
The defense enchant is the best bet for becoming uncrittable and staying there."
Finger
Enchant Ring - Assault - +32 Attack Power, Crafted (Enchanting 400 Self Only)
Enchant Ring - Stamina - +24 Stamina, Crafted (Enchanting 400 Self Only)
Digren says, "
Enchanters get their self benefit here, with a much better stamina enchant to replace the now-defunct spell power options available in BC."
Melee Weapon
Enchant Weapon - Superior Potency - +65 Attack Power, Crafted (Enchanting 435)
Titanium Weapon Chain - 50% Disarm Duration Reduction and +28 Hit Rating, Crafted (Blacksmithing 420)
Enchant Weapon - Potency - +20 Strength, Crafted (Enchanting 350)
Enchant Weapon - Titanguard (New in 3.0.8) - +75 Stamina (Enchanting 450)
Petrus says, "
In 3.0.8 we can finally stop arguing and put SEVENTY FIVE STAMINA on our weapons. Hopefully it looks pretty to boot and isn't some boring old glow."
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Paladin of the Argent Dawn since 2004