It depends on the property you are trying to imbue and the type of object. Some volatile or more powerful magics require a stabilising element.

[ He begins packing the gems carefully back into the pouch, thinking that over. His eyes flit sideways to the potion bottle as he ties the pouch closed, and he slips a hand underneath his robe again to run along his side and over the skin his back. The slight quiver of unsteadiness has, at least, left him now.

Talking about nerdy magic theory is comforting. Wrathion is not a cool kid at all. ]