🔗 Share this article Can France Retrieve Its Priceless Crown Jewels – Or Is It Too Late? Law enforcement in France are making every effort to locate priceless gemstones taken from the Paris museum in a daring daytime heist, although specialists have warned it could be past the point of recovery to recover them. At the heart of Paris on Sunday, thieves gained access to the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight cherished pieces then fleeing on scooters in a bold robbery that took about just minutes. Expert art detective Arthur Brand expressed his view he feared the jewels are likely "dispersed", once separated into numerous components. It is highly likely the artifacts may be disposed of for a fraction of their worth and taken out of France, other experts have said. Possible Culprits Behind the Robbery The group acted professionally, according to the expert, shown by the fact they were through the museum of the Louvre in record time. "As you might expect, for an average individual, you don't wake up in the morning planning, I will become a thief, let's start with the world-famous museum," he noted. "This isn't the first time they've done this," he added. "They've committed things before. They feel certain and they thought, we might get away with this plan, and took the chance." Additionally demonstrating the professionalism of the group is considered significant, an elite police team with a "strong track record in solving high-profile robberies" has been assigned with finding them. Authorities have indicated they think the theft relates to a criminal organization. Criminal organizations like these typically have two main goals, Paris prosecutor a senior official stated. "Either to act for the benefit of a financier, or to acquire expensive jewelry to perform money laundering operations." The expert believes it would be extremely difficult to market the jewels as complete pieces, and he noted commissioned theft for a specific client is something that only happens in fictional stories. "No one desires to touch an item so hot," he stated. "You cannot show it publicly, you cannot leave it to your children, it cannot be sold." Potential £10m Price Tag Mr Brand believes the stolen items are likely broken down and separated, with the gold and silver components melted and the jewels re-cut into less recognizable pieces that could be virtually impossible to connect to the Paris heist. Jewellery historian an authority in the field, who presents the audio program If Jewels Could Talk and previously served as the prestigious publication's gemstone expert for two decades, told the BBC the robbers had "carefully selected" the most valuable gemstones from the museum's holdings. The "magnificent flawless stones" will probably be dug out from their settings and marketed, she said, with the exception of the headpiece of Empress Eugénie which features less valuable pieces incorporated within it and was considered "too dangerous to handle," she continued. This potentially clarifies why it was dropped as they got away, in addition to one other item, and located by officials. The imperial headpiece which was stolen, features exceptionally uncommon organic pearls which have a very large value, experts say. Although the artifacts have been described as having immeasurable worth, the historian anticipates they will be disposed of for a small percentage of their value. "They will go to individuals who is willing to acquire such items," she stated. "Many people will seek for these items – they will take any amount available." What specific amount might they bring as payment when disposed of? Regarding the possible worth of the haul, Mr Brand indicated the cut-up parts might value "multiple millions." The precious stones and removed precious metal might achieve approximately ten million pounds (€11.52m; millions in US currency), according to Tobias Kormind, chief executive of an established company, an internet-based gem dealer. He told the BBC the perpetrators would need an experienced professional to remove the gems, and a skilled stone worker to alter the bigger identifiable gems. Less noticeable gems that couldn't be easily recognized could be sold right away and although difficult to determine the exact price of every gem removed, the more significant gems could be worth about half a million pounds each, he explained. "There are at least four comparable in size, thus totaling each of them along with the precious metal, one could estimate approaching ten million," he stated. "The gemstone and luxury goods trade is active and there are many buyers on the fringes that won't inquire about origins." Hope persists that the artifacts might resurface intact one day – but those hopes are narrowing over time. There is a precedent – the Cartier exhibition at the cultural institution displays an item of jewellery stolen in 1948 that later resurfaced in a public event several decades later. Definitely is many in France feel profoundly disturbed regarding the theft, having felt a cultural bond toward the treasures. "We don't necessarily appreciate jewelry since it represents a matter concerning power, and which doesn't always carry positive associations among French people," a jewelry authority, head of heritage at established French company the historical business, said