Small angle X-ray and neutron scattering on Cd and S doped glass annealed at 600 degrees C shows after the first 12 h nucleation and growth of spherical CdS nanoparticles with a radius of up to 34 +/- 4 angstrom. After the nucleation is completed after 24 h, further growth in this amorphous environment is governed by oriented particle attachment mechanism as found for a liquid medium. Towards 48 h the particle shape has changed into spheroidal with short and long axis of 40 +/- 2 angstrom and 120 +/- 2 angstrom, respectively. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.