Matria is needed?

[LeonKeyh]

Melding your gear is free and there's a challenge log for doing it. You also get a bonus to spiritbonding when the gear has melds in it, meaning you make even more money.

I don't know of an challenge log entry for that. Spiritbonding being faster is a point I guess, but you're talking about a really slow return there and it's ultimately not really even worth mentioning that as a way of making gil I feel.