How to actually use materia?

[Niwashi]

In order to unlock melding, you have to be level 19 in one of the gear-making classes (i.e. any crafting class other than Culinarian) and take the "Waking the Spirit" quest. But beyond that, there are class and level requirements for each piece of gear. You'd need the appropriate crafting class (the same class that makes the equipment) leveled up to the level of that equipment in order to meld materia onto it. Either that, or get someone who does have the appropriate craft/level to do so for you.

(If getting someone to do it for you, the "Request Meld" feature lets them meld an item of your choice from your inventory with materia that's also from your inventory. You don't have to pass the items to them. This both prevents unscrupulous players from stealing what they offered to meld, and solves the issue of getting bound items which you cannot trade melded.)

[TSLsmokey]

-snip-

That's odd, I've gotten it without being a crafter. It's a storyline unlock from what I remember. But while it gave you the meld option, you needed to be 19 in crafting to unlock something else. Before you got meld, your in-game character didn't know about melding so it would make sense to not have the request meld option and I've noted many players in my fc asking where the button was before they got meld. Once they got it, they found they were able to request the melding. I'll have to go back and double check this though.

[MistakeNot]

That's odd, I've gotten it without being a crafter. It's a storyline unlock from what I remember. But while it gave you the meld option, you needed to be 19 in crafting to unlock something else. Before you got meld, your in-game character didn't know about melding so it would make sense to not have the request meld option and I've noted many players in my fc asking where the button was before they got meld. Once they got it, they found they were able to request the melding. I'll have to go back and double check this though.

Nope, you need level 19 in any crafting class (except CUL) before you can do the quest that allows you to meld materia.
For doing the actual melding you also need to be high enough level in the right crafting class (depending on what gear you are trying to meld)

There is a level 19 storyline quest which sends you to Mutamix at the Bonfire, but that quest by itself does not unlock anything.
There is however a level 19 sidequest you can pick up while at the Bonfire where you learn how to convert spiritbonded gear into materia. (This quest can be done at any point after you have reached level 19 - you do not need to wait until the MSQ sends you there.)

[Niwashi]

That's odd, I've gotten it without being a crafter. It's a storyline unlock from what I remember. But while it gave you the meld option, you needed to be 19 in crafting to unlock something else. Before you got meld, your in-game character didn't know about melding so it would make sense to not have the request meld option and I've noted many players in my fc asking where the button was before they got meld. Once they got it, they found they were able to request the melding. I'll have to go back and double check this though.

Ok, it's melding yourself that requires the crafter level 19 unlock. The "Request Meld" option probably unlocks either from the main story quest or perhaps from the one that unlocks converting gear into materia.

"Life, Materia, and Everything" - Level 19 Main Scenario Quest for everyone, sends you to Mutamix to learn about materia. (and maybe unlocks the ability to request a meld from others?)
"Forging the Spirit" - Level 19 sidequest (available to all classes), unlocks converting spiritbonded gear into materia.
"Waking the Spirit" - Level 19 DoH quest that unlocks melding materia onto equipment (either for yourself or when someone requests it from you.)