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Police in France are urgently trying to retrieve priceless jewels robbed from the Louvre in a brazen broad daylight theft, yet authorities caution it might be past the point of recovery to save them.

At the heart of Paris this past Sunday, thieves entered by force the top tourist attraction worldwide, making off with eight valued items before escaping via motor scooters in a daring heist that lasted approximately eight minutes.

International art investigator a renowned specialist stated publicly he believes the jewels are likely "long gone", having been broken up into numerous components.

It is highly likely the stolen jewels will be sold for a mere percentage of their value and illegally transported from France, additional specialists noted.

Possible Culprits Behind the Robbery

The perpetrators acted professionally, Mr Brand believes, as demonstrated by the way they managed inside and outside of the museum so quickly.

"Realistically speaking, for an average individual, you don't wake up one day planning, I'm going to become a criminal, choosing as first target the Louvre," he explained.

"This won't be the first time they've done this," he continued. "They've committed other burglaries. They are confident and they believed, it might work out with this, and proceeded."

In another sign the skill of the group is being taken seriously, a dedicated task force with a "high success rate in resolving high-profile robberies" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.

Authorities have stated they believe the robbery relates to an organised crime network.

Organised crime groups such as these usually pursue two objectives, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau explained. "Either to act for the benefit of a client, or to obtain precious stones to carry out financial crimes."

Mr Brand thinks it would be impossible to dispose of the artifacts intact, and he explained stealing-to-order for a specific client represents a situation that typically occurs in movies.

"No one desires to acquire an artifact so hot," he stated. "You can't display it publicly, it cannot be passed to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Estimated £10m Value

The detective suggests the artifacts are likely broken down and disassembled, including the gold and silver melted down and the gems divided into smaller components that could be nearly impossible to trace back to the Paris heist.

Jewellery historian Carol Woolton, who presents the podcast focusing on gemstones and formerly worked as Vogue magazine's gemstone expert for two decades, told the BBC the perpetrators had "specifically chosen" the most important jewels from the institution's artifacts.

The "impressively sized perfect gems" would likely be extracted from their settings and marketed, she said, except for the tiara belonging to the historical figure which has smaller stones set in it and proved to be "too hot to handle," she added.

This might account for why they left it behind while fleeing, along with one other item, and found by authorities.

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

Although the artifacts have been described as being beyond valuation, the expert expects them could be marketed for a minimal part of their true price.

"They will go to someone who are prepared to handle these," she explained. "Everyone will be looking for the stolen goods – they'll settle for whatever price is offered."

How much exactly could they fetch in money upon being marketed? Regarding the estimated price of the stolen goods, the detective stated the separated elements might value "many millions."

The gems and taken gold might achieve as much as a significant sum (over eleven million euros; thirteen million dollars), according to an industry expert, chief executive of a prominent jeweler, a digital jewelry retailer.

He told the BBC the perpetrators will require a skilled expert to separate the jewels, and a skilled stone worker to alter the larger recognisable stones.

Minor components that were not easily identifiable could be sold quickly and while it was hard to determine the specific worth of each piece stolen, the more significant gems might value about £500,000 each, he explained.

"Reports indicate no fewer than four of that size, so adding each of them together with the gold, one could estimate approaching £10m," he stated.

"The diamond and precious stone industry is active and numerous purchasers exist in less regulated areas that avoid questioning about origins."

Some optimism remains that the artifacts might resurface in original condition one day – yet this possibility are diminishing with each passing day.

Historical examples exist – the Cartier exhibition at the V&A Museum includes an item of jewellery taken decades ago that later resurfaced in a public event many years after.

Without doubt is many in France are deeply shocked by the Louvre heist, demonstrating an emotional attachment with the artifacts.

"We don't necessarily appreciate jewelry since it represents a matter concerning privilege, and that doesn't necessarily receive favorable interpretation among French people," Alexandre Leger, director of historical collections at Parisian jewelry house the prestigious firm, explained