Sugar Nips were usually referred to as Tea Tongs. There have been over three hundred cases of people tried for theft between 1708 and 1792. These can be found in the Proceedings of The Old Bailey website. In all cases sugar nips were referred to as Tea Tongs. Punishments for this crime ranged from imprisonment and/or a fine to the most feared punishment, death. Other punishments included branding and transportation.

Eventually, the more practical bow shaped sugar tongs came into fashion. The rarest of these are the cast sugar tongs which only lasted between the years of 1765 to 1780. It is rare to find these and even rarer to find undamaged examples as although they look sturdy, they are actually very fragile. Cast tongs were made in three pieces, the two arms and the bow. These were soldered together with the hallmark usually stamped at the joins.

Following this were the standard sugar tongs. These were usually plain with sometimes a threaded or beaded edge. Eventually, the bright cut sugar tong became fashionable but eventually there was a return to the old english style again. The Art Nouveau Period gave way to new and exciting designs with their swirling patterns. Sometimes it is possible to see Apostle Sugar Tongs. These were oftened found in sets with matching Apostle Teaspoons. An example of a pair of Apostle Tongs is shown below.