Originally Posted by
jzhbee
So, for those unaware, previously, WoW used two have two systems that I always thought were pretty interesting. The first was colored gem sockets for Jewelcrafting. Jewels had set colors, and some were hybrids that worked as two colors, but gave two different stats. By correctly matching all the colors, you'd get a small amount of an additional stat. There were also Meta Gems, which were generally added to the head slot, which gave additional passive bonuses.
Blacksmiths could make belt buckles which provided everyone with an additional gem socket. JCs also got gems that they themselves could wear, but nobody else could. All in all, the system, although was seen as mandatory and "solved", as there was always a best stat to have, was a nice boon to the economy, and I don't remember hearing a lot of people complaining.
Additionally, there was a Glyph system added in WotLK, which was the original purpose of Scribes. Glyphs were either functional, but not power changes to spells (generally Minor Glyphs), or Power changes to spells or changed mechanics (Major Glyphs), that were an interesting way to change how abilities functioned. It was iterated upon until its full removal in favor of purely cosmetic glyphs, to the point where Scribes are the ones who make Vantus runes and contracts. Whopee.
Were there player concerns about these systems? I can't remember for the life of me anybody legitimately complaining about them, with the exception of "oh boy, new loot, gotta spend money on it now", which is still in the game with Enchanting.
So why did they remove this system? My favorite profession was Jewelcrafting during tail end of WotLK and Cata, and I miss it dearly.