Experts Fear Stolen $102 Million Louvre Crown Jewels May Be Dismantled

Louvre Heist Jewels: Why $102 Million in Royal Treasures May Be Lost Forever

The Louvre, one of the most famous museums in the world, had its security breached on Sunday. It is reported that the robbers stole jewels worth $102 million. The historical value and significance of these jewels are not yet included in this estimation, which could otherwise increase the price significantly.

Breaking Up the Crown Jewels: A Strategy for the Black Market

The strategy for monetizing precious jewels stolen from the Louvre is quite difficult, so the robbers will have to dismantle them before selling. Experts believe the historical French crown jewels will likely be broken apart to erase their origin and cultural value. 

Precious metals, such as gold, can be melted down, while diamonds and other valuable stones may be recut by intermediaries or "crooked lapidaries" so that they cannot be traced.

This process transforms historical art into a commodity that can be sold in the legal market with ‘gray edges’ through unethical dealers and supply chains in global centres like Antwerp or Dubai. Experts have expressed concerns about these jewels vanishing from history.

The Race Against Time for French Authorities and Art Recovery

Following the Louvre heist, French authorities are in a "race against time" to recover the eight priceless jewels belonging to the historical royal family of France. The planned, four-minute robbery, in which the thieves used a freight lift and motorbikes, has been labelled as a "national failure" by the government.

Special police units are on a mission to arrest the culprits and the missing jewels as early as possible. The jewels are too famous to sell intact, and if they are successfully dismantled and scattered through underground networks, their recovery will be nearly impossible. Despite this, experts are confident that the criminals will be caught, just not with the intact artifacts.

The robbery at the Louvre has raised serious concerns about the safety and security management. In the past, the museum was also criticised for its overcrowding and age-old facilities.