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Law enforcement in France are desperate to recover priceless gemstones taken from the Louvre in a audacious daytime heist, yet authorities caution it could be past the point of recovery to recover them.

Within the French capital this past Sunday, thieves entered by force the top tourist attraction worldwide, making off with eight cherished pieces then fleeing using scooters in a daring heist that lasted approximately eight minutes.

Expert art detective a renowned specialist told the BBC he suspects the artifacts could be "dispersed", having been broken up into hundreds of parts.

There is a strong chance the artifacts could be sold off for a mere percentage of their value and illegally transported from French territory, additional specialists have said.

Who May Be Behind the Heist

The thieves are experienced criminals, Mr Brand believes, shown by the speed with which they got inside and outside of the Louvre in record time.

"You know, for an average individual, you don't wake up one day thinking, I'm going to become a thief, and begin with the Louvre," he said.

"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he continued. "They've carried out previous crimes. They're self-assured and they believed, it might work out with this attempt, and proceeded."

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

Police officials have said they believe the theft is connected to an organised crime network.

Sophisticated gangs like these usually pursue two main goals, French prosecutor the prosecutor stated. "Either to act working for a financier, or to obtain precious stones to perform financial crimes."

The detective suggests it would be extremely difficult to market the jewels intact, and he said targeted robbery for an individual buyer represents a situation that typically occurs in movies.

"Nobody wants to touch an artifact this recognizable," he explained. "It cannot be shown publicly, it cannot be passed to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Estimated £10m Value

Mr Brand believes the stolen items will be taken apart and separated, including the gold and precious metals liquefied and the jewels divided into less recognizable pieces that would be virtually impossible to track back to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist an authority in the field, who presents the digital series focusing on gemstones and formerly worked as Vogue magazine's gemstone expert for many years, told the BBC the perpetrators had "specifically chosen" the most significant jewels from the Louvre's collection.

The "impressively sized flawless stones" would likely be extracted from the jewelry pieces and disposed of, she noted, excluding the headpiece of the French empress which has smaller stones incorporated within it and was "too dangerous to keep," she explained.

This might account for the reason it was abandoned during the escape, along with another piece, and found by authorities.

The royal crown that disappeared, contains extremely rare natural pearls which are incredibly valuable, specialists confirm.

Even though the pieces are considered being beyond valuation, Ms Woolton anticipates they could be marketed for a small percentage of their value.

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

How much exactly could they fetch financially if sold on? Regarding the possible worth of the stolen goods, Mr Brand stated the separated elements may amount to "many millions."

The gems and removed precious metal may bring as much as a significant sum (millions in euros; thirteen million dollars), says an industry expert, senior official of an established company, an internet-based gem dealer.

The expert explained the gang will require a skilled expert to separate the jewels, and a skilled stone worker to change the larger recognisable stones.

Less noticeable gems that couldn't be easily recognized could be sold immediately and although difficult to estimate the exact price of each piece stolen, the bigger stones may amount to about a significant amount per stone, he explained.

"We know there are a minimum of four that large, thus totaling all those pieces up plus the precious metal, one could estimate coming close to ten million," he said.

"The jewelry and luxury goods trade is liquid and there are many buyers in less regulated areas that won't inquire regarding sources."

There are hopes that the artifacts might resurface in original condition eventually – yet this possibility are fading as the days pass.

Historical examples exist – a historical showcase at the V&A Museum features an artifact stolen in 1948 that later resurfaced in a sale several decades later.

Without doubt is many in France feel profoundly disturbed regarding the theft, having felt an emotional attachment to the jewels.

"French people don't always like jewellery because it's a matter concerning privilege, and which doesn't always carry positive associations within French culture," a heritage expert, head of heritage at French jeweller the historical business, explained