An undiscussed topic about Maker

Would I be better off for the same goals if I was to remain at current meso value or if I was to purchase refined dex (seeing as that is the highest need for upgrading post appraisal) at a rate of 400k per crystal?

The more you have for your initial grading the more chance you have of getting your target number for the least expense. Your price exponentially rises as you are forced to upgrade.

By doubling the number of refined crystals/jewels you start with the simulation is capable of meeting all goals without upgrading, except for Dex.

You need ~400 dex crystals to succeed at getting 4 and that raises your costs beyond threshold. For that purpose it actually comes out cheaper on the dex crystals to do upgrades because the materials are already available have a significantly higher potential to become your target than the 1 in 100 chance the ungraded have.