[Boromir88]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

This is wholly speculation, mind you; there's absolutely no proof to support it, except perhaps in Saruman's statement about Gandalf wanting the staffs of all the Five Wizards, which indicates some degree of more than symbolic importance to the items (this thought, of course, is contradicted by the puzzling fact that when Gandalf was a prisoner in Orthanc, Saruman let him keep his staff. We know this because he had it and used it, if I recall correctly, when Gwaihir plucked him off the top of the tower).

I think Saruman's statement actually further strengthens the symbolic argument, because it's just Saruman ranting about Gandalf becoming power-hungry:

"Later! Yes, when you have the Keys of Barad-dur itself, I suppose; and the crowns of seven kings, and the rods of the Five Wizards, and have purchased yourself a pair of boos many sizes larger than those that you wear now."~Voice of Saruman

It's all symbolic for Saruman calling Gandalf power-hungry, concluded in Tolkien's interesting spin on a common phrase for someone becoming "too big for their own boots."

Saruman is claiming Gandalf wants the Keys to Barad-dur (power over Sauron).

crowns of seven kings (note: "of" seven kings, not "of the") - a symbolic statement by Saruman saying Gandalf wants power of seven kings, or power over Men, power over the physical realm of Middle-earth. If Saruman was referring to specific seven kings, it would be "of the" as he does in his next statement

rods of the Five Wizards - the staffs being a symbol of the Istari power, Gandalf wants power over the Istari, power over the spiritual realm.

What's ironic is Saruman is projecting his desires onto Gandalf.

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I don't see Saruman having any incentive to follow suit, especially since he was so well versed in ring-lore that he likely knew just how vulnerable Sauron had made himself by dividing his power.

I don't know, of course as with almost anything you can argue multiple views, but I think Saruman's ego became so big he let that get in the way of his (at one point) reasoned judgement:

"For I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-Maker, Saruman of Many Colours!"~Council of Elrond

Gandalf notes that Saruman has a ring, it is debatable whether Saruman made it or not (since Tolkien cut out parts of earlier drafts where it is explicitlly stated that Saruman made his own Ring)...However, Saruman does use the title "Ring-Maker" which is a title that Sauron is also known as. Saruman's ego was becoming Sauron and conceived himself to become even more powerful than Sauron. I think he would have done anything to emulate, or try to achieve Sauron's power, since his ego takes over for rational judgement.