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French authorities are desperate to recover extremely valuable gemstones stolen from the Paris museum in a brazen broad daylight theft, yet authorities caution it might be impossible to save them.

At the heart of Paris over the weekend, thieves gained access to the most popular museum globally, stealing eight precious artifacts before escaping using scooters in a bold robbery that took about under ten minutes.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand expressed his view he feared the artifacts are likely "long gone", after being taken apart into hundreds of parts.

Experts suggest the stolen jewels could be sold off for a fraction of their worth and smuggled out of France, additional specialists have said.

Who May Be Behind the Theft

The group acted professionally, as the detective stated, as demonstrated by the fact they were through the museum of the museum with such efficiency.

"As you might expect, for regular people, one doesn't just get up one day planning, I'm going to become a thief, choosing as first target the world-famous museum," he said.

"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he said. "They've carried out things before. They are confident and they thought, we could succeed with this plan, and took the chance."

As further evidence the expertise of the group is treated as important, a specialist police unit with a "strong track record in solving major theft cases" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.

Authorities have indicated they think the theft is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Sophisticated gangs like these usually pursue two objectives, legal official Laure Beccuau explained. "Either to act working for a client, or to obtain precious stones to carry out money laundering operations."

The detective suggests it is highly unlikely to sell the items intact, and he explained stealing-to-order for a private collector represents a situation that only happens in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to touch a piece so identifiable," he elaborated. "You can't display it to your friends, it cannot be passed to heirs, there's no market for it."

Possible £10m Worth

Mr Brand believes the objects will be dismantled and broken up, including the gold and silver components melted and the precious stones re-cut into smaller components that would be extremely difficult to track back to the Louvre robbery.

Historical jewelry specialist an authority in the field, host of the podcast about historical jewelry and previously served as Vogue magazine's jewelry specialist for many years, stated the perpetrators had "carefully selected" the most valuable treasures from the museum's holdings.

The "impressively sized flawless stones" are expected to be dug out from their settings and sold, she said, except for the tiara belonging to the French empress which features less valuable pieces mounted in it and proved to be "too recognizable to possess," she explained.

This might account for why they left it behind while fleeing, along with a second artifact, and located by officials.

The imperial headpiece which was stolen, features exceptionally uncommon natural pearls which command enormous prices, authorities indicate.

While the items are considered being beyond valuation, Ms Woolton expects them will be disposed of for a minimal part of their true price.

"They're destined to individuals who are able to acquire such items," she said. "Many people will seek for these – the thieves will accept what they can get."

What specific amount might they bring as payment when disposed of? When asked about the estimated price of the loot, the detective said the dismantled components may amount to "several million."

The jewels and taken gold may bring approximately £10 million (millions in euros; thirteen million dollars), says an industry expert, chief executive of 77 Diamonds, an internet-based gem dealer.

The expert explained the gang must have a skilled expert to separate the jewels, and a skilled stone worker to alter the more noticeable pieces.

Minor components that were harder to trace could be sold immediately and while it was hard to tell the specific worth of all the stones stolen, the larger ones may amount to about half a million pounds per stone, he noted.

"There are no fewer than four that large, thus totaling all those pieces along with the gold components, one could estimate reaching the estimated figure," he concluded.

"The diamond and luxury goods trade has buyers and plenty of customers operate within gray markets that avoid questioning too many questions."

Some optimism remains that the stolen goods could reappear in original condition one day – although such expectations are diminishing with each passing day.

There is a precedent – a historical showcase at the cultural institution displays an artifact stolen in 1948 that later resurfaced in an auction much later.

What is certain is many in France are extremely upset by the Louvre heist, demonstrating a personal connection to the jewels.

"There isn't always value gems since it represents a matter concerning privilege, and which doesn't always carry positive associations among French people," Alexandre Leger, curatorial leader at Parisian jewelry house Maison Vever, stated