Translations (JP to English)

[Jinko]

its a simple balance thing, there has to be at least 3 types to represent the 3 types of gatherers, so they all have some unique item, they need multiple tiers so that people who have leveled gatherer high have some type of benefit to doing so.

All in all its pretty simple. Not as simple as direct slotting, but that wouldnt have worked within the jobs of the game.

They could have had 1 of each tier drop on all gathering types, why split it further ?

And yes it would have worked with the jobs of the game, for example a weaver has a 1 body piece and a 1 materia and slots it into the item, simple.

If players want it removed they talk to the Goblin, you lose the materia.