Will France Get Back Its Precious Historic Jewels – Or Is It Too Late?
Police in France are making every effort to recover extremely valuable treasures robbed from the Louvre in a brazen broad daylight theft, yet authorities have warned it could be past the point of recovery to get them back.
At the heart of Paris on Sunday, thieves entered by force the world's most-visited museum, taking eight valued items then fleeing on scooters in a daring heist that took about eight minutes.
International art investigator an expert in the field stated publicly he feared the stolen items may already be "already dismantled", once separated into hundreds of parts.
Experts suggest the artifacts may be disposed of for a mere percentage of their value and smuggled out of the country, several authorities have said.
Potential Suspects Behind the Heist
The group are experienced criminals, according to the expert, as demonstrated by the way they managed in and out of the Louvre in record time.
"You know, for regular people, people don't suddenly decide one day believing, I should become a thief, choosing as first target the world-famous museum," he explained.
"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he continued. "They have done previous crimes. They are confident and they believed, we could succeed with this attempt, and took the chance."
Additionally demonstrating the expertise of the gang is considered significant, a dedicated task force with a "high success rate in solving high-profile robberies" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.
Law enforcement have said they suspect the theft is linked to an organised crime network.
Organised crime groups like these generally have two objectives, legal official Laure Beccuau stated. "Either they operate working for a client, or to secure precious stones to carry out money laundering operations."
The detective suggests it would be highly unlikely to market the jewels as complete pieces, and he explained commissioned theft for a private collector is a scenario that only happens in fictional stories.
"Few people wish to handle an item so hot," he stated. "You cannot show it publicly, you cannot leave it to heirs, you cannot sell it."
Possible £10m Price Tag
The detective suggests the stolen items will be taken apart and broken up, with the gold and precious metals liquefied and the jewels cut up into smaller stones that could be nearly impossible to connect to the Paris heist.
Jewellery historian an authority in the field, creator of the podcast If Jewels Could Talk and was the prestigious publication's jewellery editor for many years, explained the robbers had "specifically chosen" the most significant jewels from the Louvre's collection.
The "impressively sized perfect gems" would likely be extracted from the jewelry pieces and marketed, she said, with the exception of the headpiece of the historical figure which has smaller stones mounted in it and was "too recognizable to handle," she continued.
This potentially clarifies why it was dropped while fleeing, along with one other item, and located by officials.
Empress Eugenie's tiara which was stolen, has rare organic pearls which command enormous prices, authorities indicate.
Although the artifacts have been described as having immeasurable worth, Ms Woolton anticipates they to be sold for a fraction of their worth.
"They're destined to someone who are able to take possession," she said. "Everyone will be looking for these items – they'll settle for whatever price is offered."
What specific amount might they bring in money when disposed of? Concerning the possible worth of the stolen goods, Mr Brand indicated the separated elements could be worth "several million."
The gems and gold stolen might achieve as much as a significant sum (€11.52m; millions in US currency), stated by Tobias Kormind, chief executive of 77 Diamonds, an internet-based gem dealer.
The expert explained the perpetrators would need an experienced professional to remove the gems, and a skilled stone worker to alter the more noticeable pieces.
Smaller stones that were not easily identifiable might be marketed quickly and although difficult to determine the specific worth of all the stones taken, the larger ones might value about £500,000 each, he said.
"There are at least four comparable in size, therefore combining each of them along with the precious metal, it's likely coming close to the estimated figure," he stated.
"The diamond and precious stone industry is liquid and there are many buyers in less regulated areas that don't ask regarding sources."
There are hopes that the items might resurface undamaged eventually – yet this possibility are narrowing with each passing day.
Similar cases have occurred – the Cartier exhibition at the London museum features a piece of jewelry stolen in 1948 that later resurfaced in an auction several decades later.
Without doubt includes the French public are deeply shocked about the museum robbery, having felt a personal connection with the artifacts.
"There isn't always appreciate jewelry as it symbolizes a question of privilege, and that doesn't necessarily carry positive associations among French people," a heritage expert, head of heritage at Parisian jewelry house the historical business, stated