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Police in France are desperate to locate priceless gemstones taken from the Paris museum in a daring daylight robbery, yet authorities have warned it might be too late to get them back.

In Paris over the weekend, robbers gained access to the most popular museum globally, stealing eight cherished pieces and getting away via motor scooters in a bold robbery that lasted approximately eight minutes.

International art investigator Arthur Brand expressed his view he feared the stolen items may already be "already dismantled", once separated into hundreds of parts.

Experts suggest the stolen jewels could be sold off for a small part of their true price and illegally transported from French territory, several authorities indicated.

Potential Suspects Behind the Theft

The perpetrators were professionals, Mr Brand believes, as demonstrated by the speed with which they got inside and outside of the Louvre in record time.

"You know, for an average individual, you don't wake up in the morning thinking, I'm going to become a burglar, let's start with the world-famous museum," he said.

"This likely isn't their first heist," he said. "They have done other burglaries. They're self-assured and they calculated, we could succeed with this attempt, and took the chance."

As further evidence the skill of the group is considered significant, a dedicated task force with a "proven effectiveness in solving high-profile robberies" has been given responsibility with tracking them down.

Law enforcement have stated they suspect the heist relates to an organised crime network.

Sophisticated gangs such as these typically have two primary purposes, legal official Laure Beccuau said. "Either they operate for the benefit of a financier, or to secure valuable gems to perform financial crimes."

The detective suggests it would be impossible to market the jewels intact, and he said commissioned theft for an individual buyer is a scenario that only happens in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to touch an item this recognizable," he stated. "You cannot show it publicly, it cannot be passed to family, it cannot be sold."

Estimated £10m Price Tag

Mr Brand believes the artifacts are likely broken down and broken up, along with gold elements and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones re-cut into smaller components that will be extremely difficult to connect to the Louvre robbery.

Jewellery historian Carol Woolton, creator of the podcast focusing on gemstones and was the famous fashion magazine's jewelry specialist for two decades, told the BBC the perpetrators had "cherry-picked" the most valuable jewels from the museum's holdings.

The "magnificent flawless stones" will probably be dug out from their settings and sold, she said, excluding the tiara belonging to the French empress which has smaller stones incorporated within it and was considered "too hot to handle," she continued.

This potentially clarifies why it was dropped while fleeing, along with a second artifact, and recovered by police.

Empress Eugenie's tiara that was taken, has rare organic pearls which command enormous prices, authorities indicate.

Even though the pieces are regarded as being beyond valuation, Ms Woolton expects them could be marketed for a small percentage of their value.

"They will go to individuals who are prepared to acquire such items," she explained. "Many people will seek for these items – they'll settle for what they can get."

What specific amount would they generate financially if sold on? Concerning the potential value of the loot, the expert stated the dismantled components may amount to "many millions."

The gems and gold stolen might achieve approximately £10 million (€11.52m; millions in US currency), stated by a jewelry specialist, managing director of an established company, an online jeweller.

He stated the gang will require a trained specialist to remove the gems, and a professional diamond cutter to modify the more noticeable pieces.

Less noticeable gems that were not easily identifiable would be disposed of right away and despite challenges to tell the exact price of each piece removed, the larger ones may amount to approximately a significant amount each, he noted.

"Reports indicate at least four of that size, thus totaling each of them together with the precious metal, you are probably coming close to the estimated figure," he stated.

"The diamond and luxury goods trade is liquid and plenty of customers operate on the fringes that avoid questioning too many questions."

There are hopes that the items may be found in original condition in the future – although such expectations are narrowing with each passing day.

Similar cases have occurred – a jewelry display at the London museum features an artifact taken decades ago before reappearing in a sale many years after.

Without doubt is many in France feel profoundly disturbed by the Louvre heist, having felt a personal connection with the artifacts.

"French people don't always value gems because it's a matter concerning power, and that doesn't necessarily carry positive associations within French culture," a heritage expert, head of heritage at Parisian jewelry house the historical business, stated