Is France Able to Get Back Its Invaluable Crown Jewels – Or Is It Too Late?

French authorities are urgently trying to locate irreplaceable treasures stolen from the Paris museum in a daring daylight robbery, yet authorities have warned it could be impossible to get them back.

Within the French capital on Sunday, burglars broke into the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight valued items then fleeing on scooters in a bold robbery that took about eight minutes.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand stated publicly he suspects the stolen items are likely "already dismantled", once separated into hundreds of parts.

It is highly likely the stolen jewels will be sold for a fraction of their worth and smuggled out of French territory, several authorities noted.

Potential Suspects Behind the Theft

The group are experienced criminals, Mr Brand believes, evidenced by the way they managed through the museum of the museum so quickly.

"As you might expect, for an average individual, people don't suddenly decide one day planning, I will become a thief, let's start with the world-famous museum," he said.

"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he continued. "They've carried out previous crimes. They feel certain and they calculated, we might get away with this attempt, and took the chance."

In another sign the skill of the group is being taken seriously, a dedicated task force with a "strong track record in resolving significant crimes" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.

Law enforcement have stated they think the heist is connected to an organised crime network.

Organised crime groups like these usually pursue two objectives, French prosecutor a senior official explained. "Either they operate for the benefit of a sponsor, or to secure precious stones to conduct money laundering operations."

The detective suggests it would be impossible to dispose of the artifacts in their original form, and he noted targeted robbery for an individual buyer is something that only happens in Hollywood films.

"Nobody wants to handle an item so hot," he stated. "You can't display it to acquaintances, you cannot leave it to family, it cannot be sold."

Possible £10m Value

The detective suggests the artifacts will be taken apart and separated, with the gold and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones divided into smaller components that would be extremely difficult to connect to the Paris heist.

Gemstone expert a renowned expert, host of the audio program about historical jewelry and formerly worked as the prestigious publication's gemstone expert for many years, stated the perpetrators had "cherry-picked" the most valuable treasures from the museum's holdings.

The "beautiful large exquisite jewels" are expected to be dug out of their mountings and sold, she noted, except for the tiara belonging to the French empress which features less valuable pieces incorporated within it and proved to be "too hot to handle," she continued.

This potentially clarifies the reason it was abandoned during the escape, in addition to a second artifact, and found by authorities.

The imperial headpiece which was stolen, has rare natural pearls which command enormous prices, authorities indicate.

Although the artifacts are considered being beyond valuation, the expert believes they could be marketed for a fraction of their worth.

"They'll likely end up to someone who are prepared to take possession," she stated. "Everyone will be looking for these items – the thieves will accept whatever price is offered."

How much exactly might they bring in money upon being marketed? Concerning the possible worth of the stolen goods, the detective said the separated elements might value "several million."

The precious stones and gold stolen may bring up to a significant sum (over eleven million euros; thirteen million dollars), stated by an industry expert, managing director of a prominent jeweler, a digital jewelry retailer.

He told the BBC the gang must have an experienced professional 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 although difficult to tell the precise value of each piece stolen, the bigger stones could be worth around £500,000 per stone, he noted.

"Reports indicate no fewer than four comparable in size, so adding all of those up plus the gold components, you are probably coming close to the estimated figure," he said.

"The gemstone and gemstone market is active and plenty of customers operate in less regulated areas that avoid questioning too many questions."

Hope persists that the stolen goods might resurface intact eventually – although such expectations are narrowing over time.

There is a precedent – a historical showcase at the V&A Museum features an item of jewellery taken decades ago before reappearing in an auction much later.

Without doubt are numerous French citizens feel profoundly disturbed about the museum robbery, having felt an emotional attachment to the jewels.

"French people don't always appreciate jewelry because it's an issue of authority, and which doesn't always have a good connotation within French culture," a jewelry authority, head of heritage at established French company Maison Vever, said

Sandra Cook
Sandra Cook

Tech enthusiast and digital strategist with a passion for emerging technologies and startup ecosystems.