3-EMC forms tight clusters of short thin rods. The rods are red and very thin and look like needles. The needles are better visualized under higher magnifications. Under 100x magnification smaller clusters appear as dots. The clusters appear deep red spots under crossed polars.

3-EMC when combined with the other test reagents does not show crystal growth or when it does show some crystal formation, the crystals are not reproducible. Therefore, only one reagent is reported for 3-EMC.