Will France Recover Its Precious Historic Jewels – Or Has It Become Too Late?
Law enforcement in France are making every effort to locate priceless treasures taken from the Paris museum in a brazen daytime heist, although specialists are concerned it might be past the point of recovery to save them.
At the heart of Paris on Sunday, burglars gained access to the most popular museum globally, stealing eight cherished pieces before escaping using scooters in a bold robbery that lasted approximately under ten minutes.
Dutch art detective an expert in the field stated publicly he suspects the stolen items are likely "dispersed", after being taken apart into numerous components.
There is a strong chance the artifacts may be disposed of for a fraction of their worth and taken out of the country, other experts noted.
Potential Suspects Behind the Robbery
The group were professionals, as the detective stated, as demonstrated by the fact they were through the museum of the Louvre so quickly.
"Realistically speaking, for an average individual, one doesn't just get up one day planning, I'm going to become a thief, choosing as first target the Louvre," he noted.
"This likely isn't their first heist," he continued. "They've carried out other burglaries. They're self-assured and they thought, we could succeed with this attempt, and took the chance."
In another sign the professionalism of the group is treated as important, a dedicated task force with a "strong track record in solving high-profile robberies" has been assigned with locating the perpetrators.
Law enforcement have stated they suspect the theft is connected to a criminal organization.
Sophisticated gangs such as these typically have two objectives, legal official a senior official said. "Either they operate for the benefit of a client, or to acquire valuable gems to conduct financial crimes."
The detective suggests it seems highly unlikely to sell the items as complete pieces, and he noted targeted robbery for a specific client is something that only happens in fictional stories.
"Few people wish to handle an artifact so hot," he stated. "It cannot be shown to your friends, you cannot leave it to family, it cannot be sold."
Estimated £10m Value
The detective suggests the stolen items will be dismantled and broken up, with the gold and silver melted down and the precious stones divided into less recognizable pieces that could be nearly impossible to connect to the museum theft.
Gemstone expert Carol Woolton, host of the digital series about historical jewelry and formerly worked as the famous fashion magazine's jewelry specialist for two decades, explained the perpetrators had "specifically chosen" the most important treasures from the institution's artifacts.
The "magnificent flawless stones" would likely be extracted of their mountings and disposed of, she said, except for the tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie which features less valuable pieces incorporated within it and proved to be "too hot to handle," she continued.
This could explain why they left it behind while fleeing, along with another piece, and found by authorities.
The imperial headpiece that disappeared, features exceptionally uncommon authentic pearls which command enormous prices, experts say.
Even though the pieces are regarded as being priceless, Ms Woolton anticipates they to be sold for a minimal part of their true price.
"They're destined to someone who is willing to acquire such items," she explained. "Many people will seek for these – they will take what they can get."
What specific amount might they bring financially upon being marketed? When asked about the possible worth of the haul, the detective stated the separated elements may amount to "multiple millions."
The gems and taken gold may bring approximately £10 million (millions in euros; thirteen million dollars), according to Tobias Kormind, chief executive of an established company, an internet-based gem dealer.
The expert explained the gang will require a trained specialist to separate the jewels, and an expert gem cutter to alter the bigger identifiable gems.
Less noticeable gems that were not easily identifiable might be marketed immediately and despite challenges to tell the precise value of all the stones taken, the larger ones could be worth approximately half a million pounds for individual pieces, he said.
"We know there are no fewer than four of that size, so adding each of them up plus the gold components, you are probably reaching the estimated figure," he said.
"The jewelry and gemstone market has buyers and there are many buyers on the fringes that don't ask about origins."
Hope persists that the stolen goods may be found undamaged in the future – yet this possibility are fading as the days pass.
There is a precedent – the Cartier exhibition at the V&A Museum features a piece of jewelry stolen in 1948 before reappearing in a sale much later.
What is certain are numerous French citizens are extremely upset about the museum robbery, demonstrating a personal connection toward the treasures.
"French people don't always value gems since it represents a question of privilege, and which doesn't always carry positive associations in France," a heritage expert, curatorial leader at French jeweller the historical business, explained