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Police in France are making every effort to recover extremely valuable gemstones taken from the Louvre Museum in a brazen daylight robbery, but experts have warned it could be impossible to get them back.

Within the French capital over the weekend, burglars broke into the top tourist attraction worldwide, stealing eight cherished pieces then fleeing via motor scooters in a daring heist that lasted approximately eight minutes.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand expressed his view he believes the artifacts are likely "long gone", after being taken apart into numerous components.

It is highly likely the pieces will be sold for a small part of their true price and illegally transported from the country, several authorities have said.

Possible Culprits Behind the Heist

The perpetrators were professionals, according to the expert, shown by the speed with which they got inside and outside of the Louvre in record time.

"Realistically speaking, for an average individual, people don't suddenly decide overnight believing, I will become a criminal, let's start with the world-famous museum," he noted.

"This isn't their initial robbery," he continued. "They've carried out previous crimes. They feel certain and they calculated, we could succeed with this attempt, and proceeded."

Additionally demonstrating the expertise of the thieves is treated as important, a dedicated task force with a "proven effectiveness in solving high-profile robberies" has been assigned with locating the perpetrators.

Law enforcement have said they think the heist is connected to a criminal organization.

Sophisticated gangs of this type usually pursue two objectives, legal official a senior official said. "Either to act on behalf of a sponsor, or to secure precious stones to perform financial crimes."

The expert believes it would be highly unlikely to market the jewels intact, and he noted commissioned theft for an individual buyer is something that only happens in movies.

"No one desires to touch an artifact so hot," he explained. "You can't display it to acquaintances, you cannot leave it to heirs, you cannot sell it."

Potential £10m Value

The detective suggests the stolen items are likely broken down and broken up, including the gold and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones re-cut into less recognizable pieces that could be extremely difficult to trace back to the Louvre robbery.

Historical jewelry specialist a renowned expert, who presents the digital series If Jewels Could Talk and previously served as the famous fashion magazine's jewelry specialist for 20 years, told the BBC the perpetrators had "specifically chosen" the most significant jewels from the institution's artifacts.

The "impressively sized perfect gems" are expected to be extracted from their settings and disposed of, she explained, with the exception of the crown from the French empress which features less valuable pieces mounted in it and proved to be "too hot to possess," she explained.

This could explain why it was dropped as they got away, in addition to a second artifact, and found by authorities.

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

Even though the pieces have been described as being beyond valuation, the expert believes they could be marketed for a small percentage of their value.

"They'll likely end up to someone who is willing to take possession," she explained. "Everyone will be looking for these – they'll settle for what they can get."

What specific amount might they bring in money when disposed of? Regarding the estimated price of the loot, the detective indicated the dismantled components could be worth "many millions."

The precious stones and gold stolen might achieve approximately ten million pounds (€11.52m; millions in US currency), stated by Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, a digital jewelry retailer.

He stated the gang will require an experienced professional to remove the gems, and a professional diamond cutter to modify the larger recognisable stones.

Less noticeable gems that were harder to trace would be disposed of quickly and despite challenges to tell the exact price of all the stones taken, the bigger stones might value about half a million pounds for individual pieces, he explained.

"We know there are a minimum of four of that size, so adding all those pieces together with the gold, it's likely coming close to £10m," he said.

"The jewelry and luxury goods trade is liquid and numerous purchasers exist on the fringes that won't inquire regarding sources."

Some optimism remains that the stolen goods might resurface intact eventually – although such expectations are diminishing over time.

There is a precedent – a jewelry display at the cultural institution displays an item of jewellery taken decades ago which eventually returned in an auction many years after.

What is certain includes the French public are extremely upset by the Louvre heist, having felt a cultural bond toward the treasures.

"There isn't always appreciate jewelry as it symbolizes a question of authority, and that doesn't necessarily carry positive associations in France," a heritage expert, curatorial leader at established French company the historical business, stated