In previous paper, we reported the synthesis of nickel chains by reducing the precursor of [Ni(TEA)(3)](2+) (TEA: triethanolamine) with hydrazine [X. Ni, Q. Zhao, D. Zhang, D. Yang, H. Zheng, J. Crystal Growth 280 (2005) 217]. The present work, as a continued part of our research endeavor in this area, studied the controlled assembling process of nickel crystallites through solvent mediation. By increasing the proportion of ethanol in the solvent, the chainlike assemblies gradually transformed into isolated spheres. Magnetic properties of the assembly and dispersed particles were compared. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.