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Police in France are desperate to recover priceless jewels taken from the Louvre in a audacious broad daylight theft, although specialists have warned it could be too late to recover them.

In Paris over the weekend, burglars gained access to the top tourist attraction worldwide, stealing eight valued items then fleeing on scooters in a bold robbery that lasted approximately eight minutes.

International art investigator Arthur Brand expressed his view he suspects the artifacts could be "long gone", after being taken apart into hundreds of parts.

It is highly likely the artifacts could be sold off for a fraction of their worth and illegally transported from France, several authorities noted.

Who May Be Behind the Theft

The group acted professionally, Mr Brand believes, evidenced by the speed with which they got in and out of the Louvre in record time.

"You know, as a normal person, you don't wake up in the morning planning, I should become a burglar, choosing as first target the Louvre Museum," he explained.

"This likely isn't the first time they've done this," he continued. "They have done previous crimes. They're self-assured and they thought, we might get away with this attempt, and went for it."

In another sign the skill of the group is being taken seriously, a dedicated task force with a "high success rate in solving significant crimes" has been assigned with locating the perpetrators.

Law enforcement have stated they believe the heist is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Sophisticated gangs of this type usually pursue two objectives, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau explained. "Either to act on behalf of a client, or to secure expensive jewelry to perform financial crimes."

The expert believes it is impossible to market the jewels as complete pieces, and he said targeted robbery for an individual buyer is something that mainly exists in movies.

"Nobody wants to handle an artifact so hot," he elaborated. "You can't display it publicly, it cannot be passed to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Possible £10m Price Tag

The detective suggests the objects are likely broken down and broken up, with the gold and precious metals liquefied and the gems re-cut into less recognizable pieces that could be nearly impossible to track back to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist Carol Woolton, creator of the audio program focusing on gemstones and previously served as the prestigious publication's jewelry specialist for two decades, explained the thieves had "carefully selected" the most valuable gemstones from the institution's artifacts.

The "impressively sized perfect gems" will probably be removed of their mountings and disposed of, she said, except for the tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie which contains smaller gems incorporated within it and was considered "too recognizable to possess," she continued.

This could explain the reason it was abandoned during the escape, in addition to another piece, and recovered by police.

The royal crown that disappeared, features exceptionally uncommon natural pearls which have a very large value, experts say.

While the items are regarded as being priceless, the historian believes they will be disposed of for a fraction of their worth.

"They'll likely end up to someone who are able to handle these," she explained. "Everyone will be looking for the stolen goods – the thieves will accept any amount available."

What specific amount would they generate in money if sold on? Concerning the possible worth of the loot, the detective said the separated elements could be worth "multiple millions."

The jewels and removed precious metal could fetch as much as £10 million (millions in euros; thirteen million dollars), says an industry expert, senior official of a prominent jeweler, an online jeweller.

He stated the perpetrators will require an experienced professional to remove the gems, and an expert gem cutter to modify the larger recognisable stones.

Minor components that were harder to trace would be disposed of right away and despite challenges to determine the exact price of all the stones stolen, the bigger stones may amount to approximately a significant amount per stone, he said.

"Reports indicate no fewer than four of that size, so adding all those pieces along with the gold components, it's likely approaching the estimated figure," he stated.

"The gemstone and precious stone industry has buyers and there are many buyers within gray markets that won't inquire regarding sources."

There are hopes that the artifacts may be found in original condition eventually – but those hopes are diminishing over time.

There is a precedent – the Cartier exhibition at the cultural institution features an artifact taken decades ago that later resurfaced in a sale much later.

Without doubt are numerous French citizens are deeply shocked regarding the theft, having felt an emotional attachment toward the treasures.

"We don't necessarily value gems since it represents a matter concerning power, and this isn't typically carry positive associations within French culture," a jewelry authority, head of heritage at French jeweller Maison Vever, said