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Police in France are urgently trying to recover extremely valuable treasures robbed from the Louvre in a brazen daytime heist, although specialists caution it could be past the point of recovery to get them back.

Within the French capital over the weekend, burglars gained access to the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight precious artifacts then fleeing using scooters in a bold robbery that lasted approximately eight minutes.

Dutch art detective an expert in the field expressed his view he believes the artifacts could be "dispersed", having been broken up into hundreds of parts.

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

Who May Be Behind the Robbery

The thieves are experienced criminals, according to the expert, evidenced by the speed with which they got through the museum of the Louvre with such efficiency.

"You know, for an average individual, one doesn't just get up one day believing, I'm going to become a criminal, let's start with the world-famous museum," he noted.

"This won't be their first heist," he continued. "They've carried out things before. They are confident and they thought, it might work out with this plan, and went for it."

In another sign the professionalism of the thieves is treated as important, a dedicated task force with a "high success rate in cracking significant crimes" has been given responsibility with finding them.

Authorities have stated they believe the theft is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Criminal organizations of this type generally have two primary purposes, Paris prosecutor a senior official said. "Either they operate on behalf of a sponsor, or to obtain expensive jewelry to carry out financial crimes."

The expert believes it is extremely difficult to dispose of the artifacts in their original form, and he said stealing-to-order for a private collector is something that only happens in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to acquire a piece so hot," he elaborated. "You can't display it to your friends, it cannot be passed to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Possible £10m Value

Mr Brand believes the objects are likely broken down and broken up, along with gold elements and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones re-cut into less recognizable pieces that would be nearly impossible to connect to the Paris heist.

Jewellery historian a renowned expert, who presents the digital series focusing on gemstones and previously served as the prestigious publication's jewelry specialist for 20 years, explained the robbers had "cherry-picked" the most significant gemstones from the museum's holdings.

The "beautiful large flawless stones" are expected to be extracted from the jewelry pieces and marketed, she said, with the exception of the headpiece of Empress Eugénie which contains smaller gems set in it and was considered "too dangerous to keep," she continued.

This might account for why they left it behind during the escape, along with another piece, and found by authorities.

The imperial headpiece that was taken, has rare authentic pearls which command enormous prices, authorities indicate.

While the items have been described as having immeasurable worth, Ms Woolton anticipates they will be disposed of for a fraction of their worth.

"They will go to individuals who are prepared to handle these," she said. "Authorities worldwide will search for these items – they will take any amount available."

What specific amount could they fetch as payment when disposed of? Regarding the estimated price of the stolen goods, Mr Brand said the separated elements might value "many millions."

The jewels and removed precious metal could fetch up to ten million pounds (€11.52m; millions in US currency), according to Tobias Kormind, managing director of a prominent jeweler, an online jeweller.

He stated the thieves will require a skilled expert to extract the stones, and a professional diamond cutter to modify the larger recognisable stones.

Minor components that couldn't be easily recognized would be disposed of immediately and while it was hard to estimate the exact price of each piece stolen, the more significant gems could be worth approximately £500,000 per stone, he explained.

"We know there are a minimum of four of that size, so adding all of those up plus the gold components, it's likely coming close to £10m," he stated.

"The diamond and luxury goods trade is liquid and there are many buyers within gray markets that won't inquire about origins."

There are hopes that the stolen goods could reappear undamaged in the future – yet this possibility are fading with each passing day.

There is a precedent – a jewelry display at the London museum features an artifact stolen in 1948 before reappearing in a public event several decades later.

Definitely is many in France are deeply shocked regarding the theft, demonstrating a cultural bond to the jewels.

"We don't necessarily like jewellery as it symbolizes a question of authority, and this isn't typically receive favorable interpretation among French people," a jewelry authority, curatorial leader at Parisian jewelry house Maison Vever, explained