Can France Get Back Its Precious Historic Jewels – Or Has It Become Too Late?
French authorities are making every effort to locate irreplaceable jewels robbed from the Louvre in a brazen daylight robbery, although specialists are concerned it could be too late to save them.
In Paris this past Sunday, robbers gained access to the most popular museum globally, taking eight precious artifacts and getting away via motor scooters in a daring heist that was completed in eight minutes.
Dutch art detective Arthur Brand told the BBC he believes the artifacts may already be "dispersed", having been broken up into numerous components.
It is highly likely the pieces could be sold off for a fraction of their worth and smuggled out of the country, other experts have said.
Possible Culprits Behind the Robbery
The perpetrators acted professionally, according to the expert, evidenced by the speed with which they got in and out of the Louvre in record time.
"Realistically speaking, as a normal person, people don't suddenly decide overnight believing, I will become a thief, and begin with the Louvre Museum," he explained.
"This won't be the first time they've done this," he continued. "They've carried out other burglaries. They feel certain and they calculated, it might work out with this attempt, and proceeded."
As further evidence the expertise of the thieves is treated as important, a dedicated task force with a "high success rate in cracking major theft cases" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.
Law enforcement have said they suspect the robbery is connected to an organised crime network.
Criminal organizations like these typically have two main goals, French prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. "Either to act on behalf of a financier, or to secure expensive jewelry to conduct money laundering operations."
The expert believes it seems extremely difficult to sell the items as complete pieces, and he noted targeted robbery for a private collector is something that mainly exists in movies.
"Few people wish to acquire an artifact this recognizable," he stated. "You can't display it to acquaintances, you can't bequeath it to heirs, you cannot sell it."
Estimated £10m Price Tag
Mr Brand believes the stolen items will be dismantled and separated, along with gold elements and silver components melted and the jewels re-cut into less recognizable pieces that would be nearly impossible to connect to the Paris heist.
Jewellery historian an authority in the field, host of the podcast focusing on gemstones and was Vogue magazine's jewellery editor for many years, stated the robbers had "specifically chosen" the most important jewels from the Louvre's collection.
The "magnificent perfect gems" would likely be removed of their mountings and disposed of, she explained, except for the headpiece of the French empress which has smaller stones mounted in it and was "too hot to possess," she explained.
This could explain the reason it was abandoned as they got away, in addition to a second artifact, and located by officials.
Empress Eugenie's tiara that disappeared, features exceptionally uncommon organic pearls which are incredibly valuable, experts say.
Although the artifacts are considered being priceless, Ms Woolton believes they could be marketed for a fraction of their worth.
"They will go to someone who are prepared to handle these," she stated. "Authorities worldwide will search for these – they will take whatever price is offered."
How much exactly would they generate as payment upon being marketed? When asked about the possible worth of the haul, the expert said the cut-up parts may amount to "many millions."
The precious stones and gold stolen could fetch up to ten million pounds (€11.52m; $13.4m), according to a jewelry specialist, senior official of 77 Diamonds, an internet-based gem dealer.
The expert explained the gang would need an experienced professional to remove the gems, and a skilled stone worker to modify the more noticeable pieces.
Less noticeable gems that were harder to trace could be sold right away and despite challenges to estimate the specific worth of each piece taken, the bigger stones may amount to around a significant amount per stone, he said.
"There are no fewer than four comparable in size, so adding all of those along with the gold components, it's likely coming close to £10m," he said.
"The diamond and luxury goods trade is liquid and there are many buyers in less regulated areas that avoid questioning about origins."
Some optimism remains that the artifacts could reappear in original condition in the future – although such expectations are fading over time.
There is a precedent – a jewelry display at the V&A Museum features an artifact previously stolen that later resurfaced in a sale many years after.
What is certain includes the French public are deeply shocked regarding the theft, expressing a personal connection to the jewels.
"French people don't always appreciate jewelry because it's a matter concerning power, and this isn't typically carry positive associations within French culture," Alexandre Leger, head of heritage at French jeweller Maison Vever, explained