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French authorities are urgently trying to recover priceless jewels stolen from the Louvre Museum in a brazen broad daylight theft, although specialists caution it might be too late to save them.

Within the French capital over the weekend, robbers gained access to the top tourist attraction worldwide, making off with eight precious artifacts then fleeing via motor scooters in a bold robbery that was completed in eight minutes.

Dutch art detective a renowned specialist stated publicly he feared the artifacts are likely "already dismantled", having been broken up into numerous components.

There is a strong chance the artifacts may be disposed of for a small part of their true price and taken out of France, other experts indicated.

Possible Culprits Behind the Robbery

The thieves were professionals, according to the expert, evidenced by the speed with which they got through the museum of the museum so quickly.

"As you might expect, as a normal person, people don't suddenly decide one day planning, I should become a burglar, choosing as first target the world-famous museum," he said.

"This likely isn't their first heist," he said. "They've carried out previous crimes. They're self-assured and they believed, we might get away with this attempt, and took the chance."

As further evidence the professionalism of the gang is considered significant, a specialist police unit with a "high success rate in solving significant crimes" has been assigned with locating the perpetrators.

Police officials have indicated they think the theft relates to an organised crime network.

Organised crime groups of this type usually pursue two objectives, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated. "Either they operate for the benefit of a client, or to obtain valuable gems to conduct financial crimes."

The detective suggests it is highly unlikely to dispose of the artifacts in their original form, and he said commissioned theft for an individual buyer is something that typically occurs in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to handle an artifact so identifiable," he elaborated. "You cannot show it to acquaintances, it cannot be passed to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Estimated £10m Value

Mr Brand believes the objects will be taken apart and disassembled, with the gold and precious metals liquefied and the jewels cut up into smaller components that would be nearly impossible to track back to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist an authority in the field, creator of the podcast about historical jewelry and formerly worked as the prestigious publication's gemstone expert for two decades, told the BBC the perpetrators had "carefully selected" the most important jewels from the Louvre's collection.

The "magnificent perfect gems" would likely be removed of their mountings and disposed of, she explained, with the exception of the crown from the historical figure which contains smaller gems set in it and was considered "too hot to possess," she continued.

This could explain the reason it was abandoned while fleeing, together with a second artifact, 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 being beyond valuation, the expert expects them could be marketed for a minimal part of their true price.

"They will go to individuals who are able to handle these," she said. "Many people will seek for the stolen goods – the thieves will accept whatever price is offered."

How much exactly would they generate financially if sold on? Concerning the potential value of the stolen goods, the expert indicated the cut-up parts may amount to "many millions."

The precious stones and removed precious metal could fetch up to £10 million (over eleven million euros; $13.4m), says an industry expert, chief executive of 77 Diamonds, an online jeweller.

The expert explained the thieves must have a trained specialist to separate the jewels, and an expert gem cutter to change the larger recognisable stones.

Smaller stones that were not easily identifiable might be marketed immediately and although difficult to tell the exact price of every gem taken, the more significant gems could be worth about half a million pounds per stone, he said.

"We know there are at least four comparable in size, therefore combining each of them together with the gold, you are probably reaching the estimated figure," he concluded.

"The jewelry and gemstone market is active and plenty of customers operate on the fringes that avoid questioning about origins."

Some optimism remains that the artifacts may be found in original condition eventually – but those hopes are fading as the days pass.

Similar cases have occurred – the Cartier exhibition at the London museum includes an item of jewellery previously stolen before reappearing in a sale much later.

Definitely includes the French public feel profoundly disturbed regarding the theft, demonstrating a cultural bond with the artifacts.

"We don't necessarily like jewellery because it's a question of power, and which doesn't always carry positive associations within French culture," a heritage expert, head of heritage at established French company the prestigious firm, said