🔗 Share this article

Law enforcement in France are making every effort to retrieve priceless gemstones taken from the Louvre Museum in a audacious broad daylight theft, yet authorities caution it might be too late to recover them.

At the heart of Paris this past Sunday, burglars entered by force the top tourist attraction worldwide, making off with eight cherished pieces and getting away on scooters in a bold robbery that was completed in eight minutes.

Dutch art detective an expert in the field told the BBC he feared the stolen items may already be "already dismantled", having been broken up into numerous components.

It is highly likely the artifacts could be sold off for a mere percentage of their value and illegally transported from the country, several authorities noted.

Potential Suspects Behind the Heist

The thieves are experienced criminals, Mr Brand believes, as demonstrated by the way they managed through the museum of the Louvre so quickly.

"Realistically speaking, for an average individual, people don't suddenly decide in the morning planning, I should become a burglar, let's start with the world-famous museum," he said.

"This isn't their first heist," he added. "They've carried out other burglaries. They're self-assured and they calculated, we could succeed with this plan, and went for it."

Additionally demonstrating the professionalism of the group is being taken seriously, a dedicated task force with a "proven effectiveness in resolving significant crimes" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.

Authorities have said they believe the theft relates to a sophisticated gang.

Sophisticated gangs like these typically have two objectives, legal official a senior official stated. "Either they operate working for a client, or to secure valuable gems to perform money laundering operations."

The detective suggests it would be impossible to market the jewels intact, and he explained stealing-to-order for a specific client is a scenario that typically occurs in Hollywood films.

"Few people wish to acquire a piece so identifiable," he elaborated. "You cannot show it to your friends, it cannot be passed to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Potential £10m Value

Mr Brand believes the objects will be dismantled and broken up, with the gold and silver components melted and the gems cut up into smaller components that could be nearly impossible to trace back to the Louvre robbery.

Jewellery historian an authority in the field, host of the digital series focusing on gemstones and formerly worked as the famous fashion magazine's jewellery editor for two decades, told the BBC the thieves had "specifically chosen" the most important jewels from the Louvre's collection.

The "magnificent flawless stones" would likely be dug out of their mountings and sold, she said, with the exception of the crown from the historical figure which has smaller stones incorporated within it and was considered "too dangerous to keep," she explained.

This might account for why they left it behind during the escape, along with one other item, and recovered by police.

Empress Eugenie's tiara that disappeared, features exceptionally uncommon authentic pearls which are incredibly valuable, experts say.

While the items are considered being priceless, the expert expects them will be disposed of for a fraction of their worth.

"They will go to someone who are prepared to take possession," she stated. "Many people will seek for these – they will take what they can get."

How much exactly could they fetch financially when disposed of? Concerning the potential value of the stolen goods, the expert indicated the dismantled components may amount to "many millions."

The jewels and removed precious metal could fetch as much as £10 million (€11.52m; $13.4m), according to an industry expert, chief executive of an established company, an online jeweller.

The expert explained the thieves would need an experienced professional to separate the jewels, and an expert gem cutter to modify the bigger identifiable gems.

Smaller stones that were harder to trace could be sold quickly and although difficult to tell the specific worth of each piece taken, the larger ones may amount to about £500,000 each, he said.

"There are at least four of that size, so adding all of those along with the precious metal, it's likely reaching ten million," he concluded.

"The jewelry and luxury goods trade has buyers and plenty of customers operate within gray markets that avoid questioning regarding sources."

There are hopes that the stolen goods may be found undamaged eventually – although such expectations are fading as the days pass.

Historical examples exist – a historical showcase at the London museum features an artifact taken decades ago which eventually returned in a public event several decades later.

Without doubt is many in France are deeply shocked by the Louvre heist, demonstrating a cultural bond toward the treasures.

"French people don't always like jewellery as it symbolizes a question of authority, and this isn't typically receive favorable interpretation in France," a heritage expert, curatorial leader at Parisian jewelry house Maison Vever, explained