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| Chrysotile | Hopfnerite | Anthophyllite | Actinolite | Amosite | Crocidolite | Hopfnerite |
| Elongationa | Length slow | Length slow | Length slow | Length slow | Length slow | Length fast | Length slow |
| Birefringence | Brightest at 45˚ | Brightest at 45˚ | Brightest at 45˚ | Brightest at 45˚ | Brightest at 45˚ | Brightest at 45˚ | Brightest at 45˚ |
| Extinctionb | Extinction in parallel or perpendicular direction | Extinction at a small angle | Extinction in parallel or perpendicular direction | Extinction in parallel or perpendicular direction | Extinction in parallel or perpendicular direction | Extinction in parallel or perpendicular direction | Extinction at a small angle |
| Pleochroismc | No | No | No | Weak | No | Yes | No |