24 Nov 2006 at 14:55 - 7
It won't unlock if you buy if from a trader, in PvE, you can unlock by IDENTIFYING an armor drop. Only then you'll be able to use it in PvP as well.
As for the Balth Faction way... need to unlock minor before major, major before superior.
Or buy it from a rune trader, then put it on your PvP char's armor... not the cheapest, but it should work as well