A reduction-carbonization approach for the formation of one-dimensional (1D) silver telluride nanocables and tellurium nanorods with a sheath of amorphous carbon are proposed. Here the carbon shell is obtained with the assistance of glucose which behaves as carbonizing agent; silver nitrate and sodium tellurite are utilized as precursors and ethylene glycol acts as reducing agent. The results demonstrate the Ag2Te/C and Te/C nanostructures with average diameters of 150 and 100 nm, respectively. The crystal structures, morphology, and composition are studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy characterizations. The formation mechanism of amorphous carbon sheath and finally core-shell nanostructures is elaborated on the basis of the experimental results. In addition, nonlinear absorption and refraction coefficients along with 3rd order nonlinear optical properties are investigated by open/closed-aperture Z-scan measurements using femtosecond pulse laser at 800 nm in a systematic way. This study provides a guide to the nonlinear properties, which may hold promise as advanced materials for various applications.