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Law enforcement in France are urgently trying to retrieve priceless gemstones stolen from the Louvre in a daring daytime heist, yet authorities have warned it could be past the point of recovery to recover them.

At the heart of Paris over the weekend, thieves broke into the world's most-visited museum, stealing eight precious artifacts then fleeing using scooters in a bold robbery that was completed in just minutes.

International art investigator an expert in the field expressed his view he feared the jewels are likely "already dismantled", after being taken apart into hundreds of parts.

There is a strong chance the pieces may be disposed of for a small part of their true price and taken out of France, several authorities indicated.

Who May Be Behind the Robbery

The perpetrators were professionals, as the detective stated, shown by the speed with which they got in and out of the Louvre so quickly.

"As you might expect, for regular people, you don't wake up one day thinking, I will become a criminal, and begin with the world-famous museum," he explained.

"This isn't the first time they've done this," he said. "They have done other burglaries. They feel certain and they believed, we could succeed with this, and took the chance."

In another sign the professionalism of the group is treated as important, an elite police team with a "proven effectiveness in solving major theft cases" has been tasked with tracking them down.

Law enforcement have stated they suspect the heist is connected to a criminal organization.

Organised crime groups like these generally have two objectives, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau explained. "Either to act for the benefit of a client, or to acquire precious stones to carry out illegal financial activities."

The detective suggests it would be highly unlikely to dispose of the artifacts as complete pieces, and he explained targeted robbery for a private collector is something that mainly exists in movies.

"Nobody wants to touch an item so hot," he stated. "You cannot show it to acquaintances, you cannot leave it to your children, there's no market for it."

Possible £10m Price Tag

The expert thinks the stolen items will be dismantled and separated, along with gold elements and silver components melted and the precious stones re-cut into less recognizable pieces that would be virtually impossible to trace back to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist a renowned expert, creator of the podcast focusing on gemstones and previously served as the famous fashion magazine's jewellery editor for many years, told the BBC the perpetrators had "specifically chosen" the most significant gemstones from the museum's holdings.

The "impressively sized exquisite jewels" are expected to be extracted of their mountings and disposed of, she explained, with the exception of the crown from the historical figure which has smaller stones set in it and proved to be "too hot to keep," she added.

This could explain the reason it was abandoned during the escape, in addition to another piece, and recovered by police.

The royal crown which was stolen, contains extremely rare authentic pearls which have a very large value, specialists confirm.

Even though the pieces have been described as having immeasurable worth, the historian believes they to be sold for a minimal part of their true price.

"They'll likely end up to someone who are prepared to handle these," she stated. "Many people will seek for the stolen goods – they'll settle for whatever price is offered."

What specific amount might they bring financially upon being marketed? Concerning the estimated price of the haul, Mr Brand said the dismantled components may amount to "multiple millions."

The precious stones and taken gold may bring approximately a significant sum (over eleven million euros; $13.4m), according to Tobias Kormind, chief executive of a prominent jeweler, a digital jewelry retailer.

The expert explained the gang will require a trained specialist to remove the gems, and a professional diamond cutter to change the larger recognisable stones.

Minor components that were not easily identifiable might be marketed quickly and while it was hard to tell the exact price of all the stones taken, the larger ones might value around half a million pounds for individual pieces, he said.

"We know there are a minimum of four comparable in size, thus totaling all of those together with the precious metal, one could estimate reaching the estimated figure," he said.

"The gemstone and precious stone industry is active and there are many buyers within gray markets that won't inquire about origins."

There are hopes that the stolen goods may be found in original condition one day – but those hopes are narrowing as the days pass.

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

Without doubt includes the French public are extremely upset regarding the theft, expressing a cultural bond with the artifacts.

"There isn't always value gems because it's a matter concerning authority, and which doesn't always receive favorable interpretation in France," a jewelry authority, head of heritage at French jeweller the historical business, said