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

Law enforcement in France are urgently trying to locate extremely valuable gemstones taken from the Louvre Museum in a brazen daytime heist, although specialists are concerned it might be impossible to save them.

In Paris on Sunday, robbers entered by force the most popular museum globally, taking eight valued items and getting away using scooters in a bold robbery that was completed in under ten minutes.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand stated publicly he believes the artifacts could be "long gone", having been broken up into hundreds of parts.

Experts suggest the artifacts will be sold for a fraction of their worth and taken out of the country, several authorities have said.

Potential Suspects Behind the Robbery

The perpetrators were professionals, as the detective stated, as demonstrated by the fact they were through the museum of the building with such efficiency.

"Realistically speaking, for regular people, one doesn't just get up one day thinking, I should become a burglar, let's start with the world-famous museum," he said.

"This isn't the first time they've done this," he added. "They have done other burglaries. They feel certain and they calculated, it might work out with this, and proceeded."

Additionally demonstrating the skill of the group is considered significant, a dedicated task force with a "strong track record in resolving high-profile robberies" has been assigned with tracking them down.

Authorities have said they believe the robbery is linked to an organised crime network.

Sophisticated gangs such as these typically have two main goals, Paris prosecutor the prosecutor stated. "Either to act working for a financier, or to secure expensive jewelry to conduct illegal financial activities."

Mr Brand thinks it would be extremely difficult to sell the items intact, and he said targeted robbery for an individual buyer is something that typically occurs in Hollywood films.

"Few people wish to touch an item this recognizable," he elaborated. "You cannot show it to your friends, you can't bequeath it to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Possible £10m Worth

The detective suggests the objects will be taken apart and broken up, along with gold elements and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones re-cut into smaller stones that could be nearly impossible to connect to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist an authority in the field, who presents the digital series focusing on gemstones and formerly worked as the prestigious publication's jewelry specialist for two decades, stated the thieves had "cherry-picked" the most valuable treasures from the Louvre's collection.

The "beautiful large perfect gems" are expected to be removed from the jewelry pieces and marketed, she explained, except for the crown from the French empress which has smaller stones incorporated within it and was considered "too recognizable to possess," she continued.

This could explain why it was dropped while fleeing, in addition to one other item, and located by officials.

The royal crown that disappeared, has rare authentic pearls which command enormous prices, experts say.

While the items have been described as being beyond valuation, the historian anticipates they will be disposed of for a minimal part of their true price.

"They're destined to buyers who are prepared to acquire such items," she explained. "Everyone will be looking for the stolen goods – they'll settle for whatever price is offered."

What specific amount would they generate financially if sold on? When asked about the possible worth of the loot, Mr Brand said the cut-up parts may amount to "multiple millions."

The gems and removed precious metal might achieve as much as ten million pounds (€11.52m; $13.4m), according to Tobias Kormind, chief executive of 77 Diamonds, an internet-based gem dealer.

He told the BBC the perpetrators will require a trained specialist to separate the jewels, and a professional diamond cutter to alter the more noticeable pieces.

Less noticeable gems that couldn't be easily recognized could be sold quickly and while it was hard to determine the specific worth of every gem stolen, the larger ones might value approximately £500,000 for individual pieces, he noted.

"We know there are at least four that large, therefore combining each of them together with the gold components, you are probably approaching ten million," he said.

"The jewelry and precious stone industry is liquid and plenty of customers operate within gray markets that won't inquire too many questions."

Some optimism remains that the artifacts may be found in original condition in the future – yet this possibility are fading with each passing day.

Similar cases have occurred – the Cartier exhibition at the cultural institution includes an item of jewellery stolen in 1948 before reappearing in an auction much later.

Definitely is many in France feel profoundly disturbed about the museum robbery, having felt a cultural bond with the artifacts.

"There isn't always value gems since it represents a matter concerning privilege, and which doesn't always receive favorable interpretation in France," Alexandre Leger, head of heritage at established French company Maison Vever, stated

Nancy Webster
Nancy Webster

A visionary designer and writer passionate about blending art with technology to inspire creative solutions.