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French authorities are urgently trying to locate irreplaceable jewels robbed from the Louvre Museum in a brazen daylight robbery, yet authorities have warned it might be impossible to get them back.

At the heart of Paris on Sunday, robbers gained access to the top tourist attraction worldwide, stealing eight precious artifacts then fleeing using scooters in a bold robbery that lasted approximately eight minutes.

Dutch art detective a renowned specialist told the BBC he believes the stolen items could be "long gone", after being taken apart into numerous components.

It is highly likely the stolen jewels will be sold for a small part of their true price and illegally transported from French territory, other experts noted.

Possible Culprits Behind the Theft

The thieves are experienced criminals, Mr Brand believes, as demonstrated by the speed with which they got inside and outside of the museum in record time.

"You know, for an average individual, one doesn't just get up one day believing, I will become a thief, and begin with the Louvre," he said.

"This won't be their first heist," he added. "They've committed other burglaries. They are confident and they thought, we might get away with this, and took the chance."

Additionally demonstrating the professionalism of the thieves is being taken seriously, a dedicated task force with a "high success rate in resolving major theft cases" has been tasked with locating the perpetrators.

Law enforcement have indicated they think the robbery is connected to a sophisticated gang.

Organised crime groups such as these typically have two main goals, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated. "Either they operate on behalf of a financier, or to acquire precious stones to perform financial crimes."

The detective suggests it seems extremely difficult to market the jewels intact, and he said stealing-to-order for a private collector is a scenario that typically occurs in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to touch a piece this recognizable," he elaborated. "You can't display it publicly, you can't bequeath it to your children, you cannot sell it."

Potential £10m Worth

Mr Brand believes the stolen items are likely broken down and separated, including the gold and silver components melted and the jewels re-cut into smaller components that would be virtually impossible to track back to the Paris heist.

Gemstone expert an authority in the field, creator of the digital series about historical jewelry and previously served as the prestigious publication's jewellery editor for many years, told the BBC the thieves had "specifically chosen" the most valuable gemstones from the museum's holdings.

The "magnificent exquisite jewels" would likely be extracted from the jewelry pieces and disposed of, she noted, except for the headpiece of Empress Eugénie which features less valuable pieces mounted in it and was "too recognizable to keep," she continued.

This potentially clarifies why it was dropped while fleeing, together with one other item, and recovered by police.

The royal crown that was taken, contains extremely rare organic pearls which are incredibly valuable, authorities indicate.

Although the artifacts have been described as being beyond valuation, the historian expects them could be marketed for a fraction of their worth.

"They're destined to someone who is willing to take possession," she explained. "Many people will seek for these items – they will take any amount available."

How much exactly might they bring financially when disposed of? Regarding the potential value of the haul, the expert stated the separated elements could be worth "multiple millions."

The precious stones and gold stolen might achieve up to ten million pounds (over eleven million euros; millions in US currency), stated by an industry expert, managing director of an established company, a digital jewelry retailer.

He told the BBC the perpetrators must have a skilled expert to separate the jewels, and a skilled stone worker to modify the more noticeable pieces.

Less noticeable gems that couldn't be easily recognized would be disposed of right away and despite challenges to determine the specific worth of each piece taken, the more significant gems may amount to around a significant amount per stone, he explained.

"There are at least four of that size, thus totaling each of them up plus the gold, one could estimate coming close to £10m," he concluded.

"The gemstone and luxury goods trade has buyers and numerous purchasers exist within gray markets that don't ask regarding sources."

Hope persists that the artifacts could reappear in original condition in the future – although such expectations are diminishing as the days pass.

Historical examples exist – a historical showcase at the V&A Museum features an item of jewellery taken decades ago before reappearing in a sale much later.

What is certain includes the French public feel profoundly disturbed about the museum robbery, demonstrating a cultural bond with the artifacts.

"French people don't always value gems as it symbolizes a question of power, and which doesn't always have a good connotation within French culture," Alexandre Leger, head of heritage at French jeweller the prestigious firm, said