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Police in France are desperate to locate extremely valuable treasures taken from the Louvre Museum in a brazen daytime heist, yet authorities have warned it may already be impossible to get them back.

In Paris on Sunday, thieves broke into the most popular museum globally, making off with eight valued items then fleeing using scooters in a daring heist that was completed in just minutes.

Expert art detective Arthur Brand expressed his view he believes the artifacts are likely "already dismantled", once separated into many fragments.

There is a strong chance the stolen jewels may be disposed of for a fraction of their worth and illegally transported from the country, several authorities indicated.

Possible Culprits Behind the Heist

The perpetrators are experienced criminals, as the detective stated, as demonstrated by the way they managed in and out of the museum so quickly.

"As you might expect, for regular people, people don't suddenly decide overnight planning, I'm going to become a thief, and begin with the Louvre," he noted.

"This isn't their first heist," he added. "They've committed previous crimes. They are confident and they believed, we might get away with this attempt, and proceeded."

Additionally demonstrating the expertise of the group is considered significant, a dedicated task force with a "proven effectiveness in resolving major theft cases" has been assigned with locating the perpetrators.

Authorities have indicated they believe the robbery relates to a sophisticated gang.

Organised crime groups of this type generally have two main goals, legal official a senior official stated. "Either they operate working for a client, or to secure precious stones to carry out illegal financial activities."

Mr Brand thinks it would be extremely difficult to market the jewels intact, and he said stealing-to-order for a private collector is a scenario that typically occurs in Hollywood films.

"No one desires to acquire an item this recognizable," he elaborated. "It cannot be shown to acquaintances, you cannot leave it to heirs, you cannot sell it."

Potential £10m Value

The expert thinks the artifacts are likely broken down and disassembled, with the gold and silver melted down and the jewels re-cut into smaller stones that could be extremely difficult to trace back to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist Carol Woolton, who presents the podcast If Jewels Could Talk and formerly worked as the prestigious publication's jewelry specialist for two decades, explained the perpetrators had "carefully selected" the most valuable gemstones from the institution's artifacts.

The "magnificent flawless stones" are expected to be dug out of their mountings and marketed, she explained, excluding the headpiece of the French empress which features less valuable pieces mounted in it and was considered "too hot to handle," she continued.

This potentially clarifies why they left it behind while fleeing, along with one other item, and found by authorities.

The imperial headpiece that disappeared, features exceptionally uncommon organic pearls which command enormous prices, authorities indicate.

Even though the pieces have been described as having immeasurable worth, the expert believes they to be sold for a small percentage of their value.

"They'll likely end up to someone who are prepared to acquire such items," she said. "Authorities worldwide will search for these – they will take what they can get."

The precise value could they fetch in money if sold on? Concerning the potential value of the haul, the detective said the cut-up parts may amount to "several million."

The gems and removed precious metal could fetch as much as ten million pounds (€11.52m; millions in US currency), stated by an industry expert, chief executive of a prominent jeweler, an internet-based gem dealer.

The expert explained the gang will require an experienced professional to separate the jewels, and an expert gem cutter to alter the more noticeable pieces.

Less noticeable gems that were not easily identifiable could be sold right away and while it was hard to tell the specific worth of each piece removed, the more significant gems might value around a significant amount each, he noted.

"We know there are a minimum of four comparable in size, therefore combining all of those along with the precious metal, you are probably approaching ten million," he said.

"The jewelry and precious stone industry is active and plenty of customers operate within gray markets that don't ask regarding sources."

There are hopes that the artifacts might resurface intact eventually – yet this possibility are fading as the days pass.

There is a precedent – the Cartier exhibition at the cultural institution displays an item of jewellery taken decades ago before reappearing in an auction much later.

What is certain includes the French public feel profoundly disturbed by the Louvre heist, having felt a personal connection with the artifacts.

"There isn't always appreciate jewelry because it's an issue of privilege, and that doesn't necessarily receive favorable interpretation within French culture," a heritage expert, director of historical collections at Parisian jewelry house Maison Vever, explained