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French authorities are making every effort to retrieve extremely valuable treasures stolen from the Louvre in a audacious daytime heist, but experts have warned it may already be too late to save them.

At the heart of Paris on Sunday, robbers broke into the top tourist attraction worldwide, making off with eight cherished pieces before escaping using scooters in a daring heist that lasted approximately eight minutes.

Dutch art detective a renowned specialist told the BBC he believes the artifacts may already be "dispersed", after being taken apart into numerous components.

It is highly likely the artifacts may be disposed of for a mere percentage of their value and illegally transported from the country, additional specialists have said.

Possible Culprits Behind the Theft

The perpetrators are experienced criminals, Mr Brand believes, shown by the way they managed inside and outside of the museum so quickly.

"Realistically speaking, for an average individual, you don't wake up in the morning planning, I will become a criminal, choosing as first target the Louvre," he explained.

"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he continued. "They've committed things before. They feel certain and they believed, we might get away with this plan, and proceeded."

Additionally demonstrating the professionalism of the gang is being taken seriously, an elite police team with a "high success rate in solving significant crimes" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.

Police officials have said they believe the theft is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Organised crime groups like these usually pursue two primary purposes, French prosecutor a senior official stated. "Either to act on behalf of a sponsor, or to secure expensive jewelry to conduct illegal financial activities."

The detective suggests it seems highly unlikely to sell the items intact, and he said commissioned theft for a specific client is something that mainly exists in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to handle an artifact this recognizable," he explained. "You cannot show it publicly, you cannot leave it to heirs, you cannot sell it."

Potential £10m Worth

The detective suggests the stolen items are likely broken down and separated, with the gold and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones divided into smaller components that would be virtually impossible to connect to the Paris heist.

Historical jewelry specialist a renowned expert, creator of the podcast focusing on gemstones and was Vogue magazine's gemstone expert for two decades, told the BBC the thieves had "specifically chosen" the most valuable treasures from the institution's artifacts.

The "impressively sized perfect gems" would likely be removed of their mountings and marketed, she said, with the exception of the tiara belonging to the French empress which contains smaller gems set in it and was considered "too recognizable to keep," she explained.

This potentially clarifies why they left it behind during the escape, together with another piece, and located by officials.

The imperial headpiece which was stolen, features exceptionally uncommon natural pearls which are incredibly valuable, experts say.

Even though the pieces are considered having immeasurable worth, Ms Woolton expects them could be marketed for a minimal part of their true price.

"They will go to buyers who are able to handle these," she explained. "Everyone will be looking for the stolen goods – they will take whatever price is offered."

What specific amount would they generate as payment when disposed of? Concerning the estimated price of the stolen goods, the expert stated the dismantled components might value "several million."

The jewels and removed precious metal may bring as much as £10 million (€11.52m; thirteen million dollars), according to a jewelry specialist, managing director of 77 Diamonds, a digital jewelry retailer.

He stated the perpetrators must have an experienced professional to separate the jewels, and an expert gem cutter to change the larger recognisable stones.

Minor components that couldn't be easily recognized would be disposed of quickly and despite challenges to determine the precise value of each piece removed, the more significant gems might value around a significant amount per stone, he noted.

"We know there are no fewer than four comparable in size, therefore combining all of those together with the gold, one could estimate coming close to ten million," he stated.

"The jewelry and gemstone market is liquid and there are many buyers on the fringes that won't inquire regarding sources."

Hope persists that the artifacts may be found undamaged in the future – but those hopes are fading over time.

Similar cases have occurred – a historical showcase at the V&A Museum features an artifact previously stolen which eventually returned in a sale several decades later.

Without doubt are numerous French citizens feel profoundly disturbed by the Louvre heist, having felt an emotional attachment to the jewels.

"There isn't always value gems because it's a matter concerning power, and this isn't typically carry positive associations among French people," a jewelry authority, curatorial leader at French jeweller the prestigious firm, said