Can France Recover Its Invaluable Royal Gems – Or Has It Become Too Late?
Law enforcement in France are urgently trying to retrieve irreplaceable jewels stolen from the Louvre in a brazen daylight robbery, although specialists caution it may already be past the point of recovery to recover them.
Within the French capital over the weekend, robbers entered by force the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight precious artifacts then fleeing on scooters in a daring heist that took about just minutes.
International art investigator Arthur Brand told the BBC he believes the stolen items may already be "dispersed", once separated into numerous components.
Experts suggest the artifacts may be disposed of for a small part of their true price and illegally transported from France, additional specialists indicated.
Possible Culprits Behind the Heist
The group are experienced criminals, as the detective stated, as demonstrated by the way they managed through the museum of the Louvre with such efficiency.
"You know, as a normal person, you don't wake up in the morning thinking, I'm going to become a thief, let's start with the Louvre," he noted.
"This won't be their first heist," he said. "They've committed things before. They are confident and they calculated, we might get away with this attempt, and took the chance."
Additionally demonstrating the professionalism of the thieves is considered significant, a specialist police unit with a "proven effectiveness in solving significant crimes" has been tasked with finding them.
Authorities have indicated they suspect the theft is linked to a sophisticated gang.
Criminal organizations like these usually pursue two primary purposes, legal official Laure Beccuau explained. "Either they operate for the benefit of a financier, or to secure expensive jewelry to conduct illegal financial activities."
The expert believes it is impossible to sell the items in their original form, and he said stealing-to-order for an individual buyer represents a situation that mainly exists in Hollywood films.
"Nobody wants to acquire a piece this recognizable," he elaborated. "It cannot be shown to acquaintances, you cannot leave it to heirs, it cannot be sold."
Possible £10m Worth
The expert thinks the artifacts are likely broken down and broken up, including the gold and silver melted down and the precious stones divided into smaller components that could be virtually impossible to trace back to the Louvre robbery.
Jewellery historian an authority in the field, host of the digital series about historical jewelry and formerly worked as the famous fashion magazine's gemstone expert for 20 years, explained the thieves had "carefully selected" the most valuable treasures from the Louvre's collection.
The "beautiful large perfect gems" are expected to be dug out from the jewelry pieces and marketed, she explained, except for the crown from Empress Eugénie which contains smaller gems incorporated within it and was considered "too recognizable to keep," she continued.
This potentially clarifies why they left it behind during the escape, in addition to a second artifact, and located by officials.
The imperial headpiece that disappeared, features exceptionally uncommon authentic pearls which command enormous prices, experts say.
Although the artifacts are regarded as being beyond valuation, Ms Woolton anticipates they will be disposed of for a small percentage of their value.
"They'll likely end up to buyers who are able to handle these," she stated. "Many people will seek for these items – they will take what they can get."
What specific amount might they bring in money upon being marketed? When asked about the estimated price of the stolen goods, Mr Brand stated the separated elements may amount to "many millions."
The precious stones and removed precious metal might achieve up to ten million pounds (over eleven million euros; millions in US currency), according to a jewelry specialist, managing director of 77 Diamonds, an online jeweller.
He stated the gang must have an experienced professional to extract the stones, and an expert gem cutter to alter the bigger identifiable gems.
Minor components that were not easily identifiable would be disposed of immediately and despite challenges to estimate the specific worth of each piece taken, the more significant gems could be worth approximately a significant amount for individual pieces, he explained.
"Reports indicate no fewer than four comparable in size, so adding each of them together with the gold, it's likely reaching the estimated figure," he stated.
"The diamond and luxury goods trade has buyers and there are many buyers on the fringes that won't inquire about origins."
There are hopes that the artifacts could reappear undamaged in the future – yet this possibility are narrowing over time.
Similar cases have occurred – a historical showcase at the V&A Museum features an item of jewellery previously stolen which eventually returned in a public event several decades later.
Without doubt are numerous French citizens are deeply shocked about the museum robbery, expressing an emotional attachment toward the treasures.
"There isn't always appreciate jewelry since it represents a matter concerning authority, and which doesn't always receive favorable interpretation among French people," a heritage expert, head of heritage at Parisian jewelry house the historical business, stated