Will France Retrieve Its Priceless Crown Jewels – Or Is It Too Late?

Law enforcement in France are urgently trying to retrieve extremely valuable gemstones taken from the Paris museum in a brazen broad daylight theft, but experts are concerned it may already be past the point of recovery to get them back.

Within the French capital on Sunday, robbers entered by force the world's most-visited museum, making off with eight valued items then fleeing on scooters in a bold robbery that lasted approximately under ten minutes.

Dutch art detective an expert in the field stated publicly he suspects the artifacts could be "already dismantled", after being taken apart into hundreds of parts.

Experts suggest the stolen jewels may be disposed of for a small part of their true price and taken out of France, other experts have said.

Potential Suspects Behind the Heist

The perpetrators acted professionally, as the detective stated, evidenced by the fact they were through the museum of the Louvre with such efficiency.

"As you might expect, as a normal person, people don't suddenly decide one day planning, I will become a burglar, let's start with the world-famous museum," he explained.

"This won't be their first heist," he added. "They have done other burglaries. They're self-assured and they thought, we might get away with this, and proceeded."

Additionally demonstrating the skill of the thieves is being taken seriously, an elite police team with a "proven effectiveness in cracking significant crimes" has been assigned with finding them.

Law enforcement have stated they think the robbery is connected to a sophisticated gang.

Sophisticated gangs such as these generally have two objectives, legal official Laure Beccuau explained. "Either to act for the benefit of a sponsor, or to obtain precious stones to perform money laundering operations."

The expert believes it would be impossible to market the jewels intact, and he explained targeted robbery for a specific client represents a situation that typically occurs in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to acquire a piece so identifiable," he explained. "You cannot show it to your friends, it cannot be passed to your children, it cannot be sold."

Potential £10m Worth

The expert thinks the objects will be taken apart and separated, including the gold and silver melted down and the precious stones cut up into smaller components that could be virtually impossible to trace back to the museum theft.

Jewellery historian Carol Woolton, who presents the audio program about historical jewelry and formerly worked as the prestigious publication's jewellery editor for 20 years, told the BBC the robbers had "carefully selected" the most significant gemstones from the Louvre's collection.

The "impressively sized flawless stones" will probably be dug out from their settings and marketed, she explained, with the exception of the tiara belonging to the French empress which contains smaller gems set in it and was "too recognizable to keep," she added.

This potentially clarifies why they left it behind as they got away, in addition to a second artifact, and recovered by police.

The royal crown that was taken, features exceptionally uncommon natural pearls which have a very large value, specialists confirm.

Although the artifacts are considered being beyond valuation, the historian believes they could be marketed for a minimal part of their true price.

"They're destined to someone who are prepared to acquire such items," she said. "Authorities worldwide will search for the stolen goods – they will take whatever price is offered."

What specific amount could they fetch financially if sold on? When asked about the potential value of the loot, the expert said the cut-up parts might value "multiple millions."

The jewels and gold stolen might achieve as much as £10 million (over eleven million euros; $13.4m), according to Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, a digital jewelry retailer.

He told the BBC the perpetrators would need an experienced professional to remove the gems, and a professional diamond cutter to modify the larger recognisable stones.

Less noticeable gems that were harder to trace could be sold immediately and despite challenges to tell the precise value of every gem taken, the bigger stones could be worth around a significant amount per stone, he said.

"Reports indicate at least four comparable in size, so adding all those pieces together with the precious metal, you are probably reaching ten million," he said.

"The diamond and luxury goods trade is liquid and there are many buyers within gray markets that won't inquire too many questions."

There are hopes that the stolen goods may be found intact eventually – although such expectations are narrowing over time.

Similar cases have occurred – a historical showcase at the London museum includes an item of jewellery taken decades ago before reappearing in a sale much later.

What is certain is many in France are deeply shocked about the museum robbery, demonstrating an emotional attachment to the jewels.

"We don't necessarily appreciate jewelry because it's a matter concerning privilege, and this isn't typically receive favorable interpretation within French culture," a heritage expert, curatorial leader at established French company Maison Vever, said

Mario Santana DDS
Mario Santana DDS

A passionate writer and creative enthusiast sharing insights on lifestyle and DIY projects.

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