Can France Get Back Its Priceless Historic Jewels – Or Has It Become Too Late?

Law enforcement in France are desperate to locate priceless jewels robbed from the Louvre Museum in a brazen daylight robbery, but experts are concerned it could be past the point of recovery to recover them.

In Paris on Sunday, burglars entered by force the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight valued items then fleeing on scooters in a audacious theft that took about just minutes.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand stated publicly he believes the artifacts may already be "dispersed", having been broken up into numerous components.

It is highly likely the pieces will be sold for a mere percentage of their value and smuggled out of the country, several authorities noted.

Who May Be Behind the Theft

The perpetrators were professionals, as the detective stated, evidenced by the speed with which they got inside and outside of the building with such efficiency.

"As you might expect, for an average individual, you don't wake up overnight planning, I will become a criminal, choosing as first target the world-famous museum," he said.

"This isn't their initial robbery," he said. "They have done other burglaries. They're self-assured and they calculated, we could succeed with this plan, and proceeded."

Additionally demonstrating the professionalism of the thieves is treated as important, a specialist police unit with a "strong track record in resolving high-profile robberies" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.

Law enforcement have said they suspect the robbery is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Organised crime groups such as these usually pursue two objectives, Paris prosecutor a senior official stated. "Either to act on behalf of a sponsor, or to acquire precious stones to perform illegal financial activities."

The expert believes it would be impossible to market the jewels intact, and he explained commissioned theft for a private collector is something that typically occurs in movies.

"Nobody wants to handle an artifact this recognizable," he explained. "You cannot show it to your friends, you can't bequeath it to your children, it cannot be sold."

Potential £10m Price Tag

The detective suggests the artifacts are likely broken down and broken up, along with gold elements and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones divided into smaller components that could be virtually impossible to connect to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist Carol Woolton, creator of the audio program focusing on gemstones and previously served as the famous fashion magazine's gemstone expert for two decades, explained the perpetrators had "specifically chosen" the most important gemstones from the museum's holdings.

The "impressively sized perfect gems" are expected to be extracted from the jewelry pieces and disposed of, she explained, except for the crown from the historical figure which contains smaller gems incorporated within it and was "too dangerous to handle," she continued.

This might account for why it was dropped during the escape, together with one other item, and recovered by police.

The royal crown which was stolen, features exceptionally uncommon natural pearls which are incredibly valuable, authorities indicate.

Although the artifacts are considered being priceless, Ms Woolton anticipates they to be sold for a fraction of their worth.

"They're destined to individuals who is willing to handle these," she explained. "Everyone will be looking for these items – they'll settle for what they can get."

How much exactly might they bring in money when disposed of? Concerning the potential value of the stolen goods, the detective indicated the dismantled components might value "multiple millions."

The gems and removed precious metal may bring up to ten million pounds (€11.52m; $13.4m), stated by Tobias Kormind, chief executive of a prominent jeweler, a digital jewelry retailer.

He told the BBC the thieves must have an experienced professional to remove the gems, and a professional diamond cutter to modify the bigger identifiable gems.

Smaller stones that were not easily identifiable could be sold immediately and despite challenges to tell the exact price of every gem stolen, the larger ones may amount to approximately a significant amount each, he noted.

"Reports indicate at least four of that size, therefore combining each of them up plus the gold components, one could estimate reaching £10m," he stated.

"The jewelry and gemstone market is liquid and numerous purchasers exist in less regulated areas that don't ask too many questions."

Hope persists that the stolen goods may be found in original condition one day – yet this possibility are narrowing with each passing day.

Historical examples exist – a historical showcase at the cultural institution features an artifact taken decades ago before reappearing in a public event several decades later.

Without doubt includes the French public feel profoundly disturbed regarding the theft, expressing a cultural bond with the artifacts.

"There isn't always like jewellery as it symbolizes a question of power, and this isn't typically have a good connotation in France," Alexandre Leger, curatorial leader at Parisian jewelry house Maison Vever, stated