Originally Posted by
tatienne
I'd say stick with tbc gear, it's great.
every player leveling up should run one or two times through ramparts/slave pens/blood furnace or similiar instances that has gear loaded with sockets. even green gems will make these pieces viable throughout your last 20 levels, blue gems are even better although scarlet rubies (which you'll want the most) are often sellable or transmutable into cardinal rubies so I always stick with the green gems.
worrying about gear takes time away from leveling, especially if you look at the AH. with the new lfg system I'd guess instancing is a good way to level up but I don't have any experience in it so don't take my word for that.