Can France Recover Its Invaluable Royal Gems – Or Is It Too Late?

Police in France are urgently trying to recover irreplaceable gemstones robbed from the Louvre Museum in a audacious daylight robbery, although specialists have warned it could be impossible to save them.

In Paris this past Sunday, thieves broke into the world's most-visited museum, making off with eight valued items then fleeing via motor scooters in a daring heist that took about under ten minutes.

International art investigator an expert in the field expressed his view he believes the jewels may already be "long gone", once separated into many fragments.

It is highly likely the artifacts will be sold for a mere percentage of their value and illegally transported from French territory, additional specialists indicated.

Possible Culprits Behind the Heist

The thieves acted professionally, according to the expert, shown by the fact they were in and out of the Louvre so quickly.

"As you might expect, for an average individual, you don't wake up in the morning believing, I'm going to become a criminal, choosing as first target the world-famous museum," he explained.

"This isn't their initial robbery," he added. "They've carried out previous crimes. They feel certain and they calculated, we could succeed with this attempt, and went for it."

In another sign the expertise of the thieves is treated as important, an elite police team with a "strong track record in cracking high-profile robberies" has been assigned with finding them.

Police officials have indicated they believe the heist is connected to a criminal organization.

Organised crime groups such as these usually pursue two objectives, French prosecutor the prosecutor said. "Either they operate on behalf of a client, or to secure precious stones to perform illegal financial activities."

The expert believes it would be highly unlikely to dispose of the artifacts intact, and he noted stealing-to-order for an individual buyer is something that mainly exists in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to touch an item so hot," he elaborated. "You cannot show it publicly, you cannot leave it to your children, it cannot be sold."

Potential £10m Price Tag

The expert thinks the artifacts will be dismantled and disassembled, with the gold and silver components melted and the gems re-cut into less recognizable pieces that will be nearly impossible to connect to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist a renowned expert, host of the audio program about historical jewelry and was the prestigious publication's jewellery editor for many years, explained the thieves had "specifically chosen" the most significant gemstones from the museum's holdings.

The "impressively sized flawless stones" are expected to be dug out from the jewelry pieces and disposed of, she noted, except for the tiara belonging to the historical figure which contains smaller gems set in it and was "too recognizable to handle," she added.

This might account for why they left it behind during the escape, along with a second artifact, and found by authorities.

The royal crown that disappeared, features exceptionally uncommon authentic pearls which command enormous prices, specialists confirm.

While the items are considered being priceless, Ms Woolton believes they to be sold for a small percentage of their value.

"They'll likely end up to buyers who are able to handle these," she stated. "Authorities worldwide will search for the stolen goods – the thieves will accept whatever price is offered."

What specific amount would they generate as payment if sold on? When asked about the potential value of the haul, the detective stated the separated elements may amount to "several million."

The gems and removed precious metal might achieve approximately £10 million (over eleven million euros; millions in US currency), stated by an industry expert, senior official of 77 Diamonds, a digital jewelry retailer.

He stated the perpetrators would need an experienced professional to separate the jewels, and a professional diamond cutter to change the larger recognisable stones.

Smaller stones that were harder to trace could be sold quickly and while it was hard to determine the exact price of all the stones removed, the larger ones could be worth around a significant amount each, he noted.

"There are a minimum of four of that size, therefore combining all of those up plus the gold, it's likely coming close to the estimated figure," he stated.

"The jewelry and luxury goods trade has buyers and numerous purchasers exist within gray markets that avoid questioning regarding sources."

There are hopes that the stolen goods could reappear in original condition one day – although such expectations are narrowing as the days pass.

There is a precedent – the Cartier exhibition at the V&A Museum features a piece of jewelry previously stolen that later resurfaced in an auction much later.

What is certain are numerous French citizens are extremely upset by the Louvre heist, having felt a cultural bond to the jewels.

"There isn't always appreciate jewelry because it's a matter concerning privilege, and this isn't typically carry positive associations within French culture," a heritage expert, director of historical collections at Parisian jewelry house the prestigious firm, said

Stephanie Bolton
Stephanie Bolton

A clinical psychologist and mindfulness coach with over a decade of experience in mental health advocacy.