De acordo com contos inacabados
In the Tale of Years the entry for 2851 refers to the meeting of the White Council in that year, when Gandalf urged an attack on Dol Guldur but was overruled by Saruman; and a footnote to the entry reads: ‘It afterwards became clear that Saruman had then begun to desire to possess the One Ring himself, and hoped that it might reveal itself, seeking its master, if Sauron were let be for a time.’
A Sociedade do Anel exposta em 3018. Contos Inacabados também afirma que Saruman já havia procurado o Anduin e encontrado o Elendilmir e um caso dourado onde Isildur levara o Anel. É claro que o próprio anel tinha ido séculos antes.