The structure and granularity of calcite were measured during dry grinding in a ball mill by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and laser diffraction, and its morphology was observed by a scanning electron microscope. During the early stage of grinding (0-10 min), the median particle size and X-ray diffraction intensity of the calcite decreased, while the full width at half maximum increased as grinding progressed. During the middle grinding stage (20-300 min), the grain size and crystalline degree of ultrafine calcite particles no longer changed with time; this was attributed to aggregation, which hindered the breakage of particles. During the final grinding stage (360-720 min), a polymorphic transformation of calcite into aragonite took place. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.