Rings of Power

The Rings of Power were originally a project of the elven-smiths of Eregion headed by Celebrimbor who was descended from Feanor. Thier purposes were put to use in the 3rd Age by the elves who used them to preserve the land and to gain insight into things. Sauron did have a hand in making the Rings of Power, but he never touched the three elven rings which is why they were not tainted by his power. The making of the rings was such an undertaking that when Sauron planned to make the One Ring he had to place a majority of his power in that ring in order to hold sway over the other rings made by the elves. That is why the rings were not used in the 2nd Age by the Elves since Sauron wore his during that period. Sauron did steal the other ings and presented them to the leaders of the races of humans and dwarves in order to control them. This plan easily worked for controlling men, but the dwarves were too hardy and the rings only made their lust for jewels greater.