The tribological behavior of platelet and nested colloidal particles of tungsten disulfide was Studied using the surface forces apparatus, atomic force microscopy, lateral force microscopy, and Auger spectroscopy. Shear-induced material transfer from the colloidal particles to the surfaces was shown to be a dominant factor in the tribological behavior observed for both structures. An ultrathin, ordered layer was observed when nested particles were sheared, while WS2 platelets produced a rough and disordered transfer layer, with substantially inferior lubricating properties.