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Police in France are desperate to recover extremely valuable treasures stolen from the Louvre Museum in a brazen broad daylight theft, but experts are concerned it may already be too late to recover them.

Within the French capital over the weekend, thieves gained access to the top tourist attraction worldwide, making off with eight valued items and getting away via motor scooters in a daring heist that was completed in eight minutes.

International art investigator a renowned specialist told the BBC he suspects the artifacts are likely "long gone", after being taken apart into hundreds of parts.

Experts suggest the pieces may be disposed of for a mere percentage of their value and illegally transported from the country, additional specialists noted.

Potential Suspects Behind the Theft

The group are experienced criminals, Mr Brand believes, evidenced by the fact they were in and out of the building so quickly.

"Realistically speaking, as a normal person, you don't wake up in the morning planning, I should become a burglar, and begin with the Louvre Museum," he noted.

"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he continued. "They have done things before. They are confident and they believed, we might get away with this attempt, and took the chance."

As further evidence the professionalism of the thieves is considered significant, a dedicated task force with a "strong track record in cracking major theft cases" has been tasked with finding them.

Law enforcement have indicated they think the theft is linked to a criminal organization.

Organised crime groups such as these usually pursue two main goals, French prosecutor the prosecutor explained. "Either they operate on behalf of a client, or to obtain precious stones to carry out financial crimes."

The expert believes it would be impossible to dispose of the artifacts intact, and he explained stealing-to-order for an individual buyer is something that mainly exists in fictional stories.

"No one desires to touch an artifact so identifiable," he stated. "You cannot show it to acquaintances, you can't bequeath it to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Estimated £10m Price Tag

The expert thinks the artifacts are likely broken down and separated, including the gold and precious metals liquefied and the jewels re-cut into smaller components that would be nearly impossible to track back to the Paris heist.

Jewellery historian Carol Woolton, host of the podcast about historical jewelry and was the famous fashion magazine's gemstone expert for many years, told the BBC the robbers had "carefully selected" the most important gemstones from the institution's artifacts.

The "magnificent exquisite jewels" would likely be removed of their mountings and disposed of, she noted, excluding the tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie which contains smaller gems incorporated within it and was "too hot to possess," she continued.

This potentially clarifies why it was dropped while fleeing, in addition to another piece, and found by authorities.

The imperial headpiece that disappeared, has rare organic pearls which command enormous prices, specialists confirm.

Although the artifacts are regarded as being beyond valuation, Ms Woolton believes they could be marketed for a minimal part of their true price.

"They'll likely end up to individuals who are able to take possession," she said. "Authorities worldwide will search for these items – they will take any amount available."

The precise value would they generate in money upon being marketed? Concerning the possible worth of the haul, Mr Brand stated the cut-up parts may amount to "multiple millions."

The precious stones and removed precious metal could fetch up to £10 million (over eleven million euros; thirteen million dollars), stated by a jewelry specialist, chief executive of an established company, an online jeweller.

He stated the gang must have an experienced professional to extract the stones, and an expert gem cutter to change the larger recognisable stones.

Less noticeable gems that were not easily identifiable could be sold quickly and while it was hard to estimate the specific worth of each piece taken, the bigger stones could be worth approximately a significant amount per stone, he explained.

"We know there are no fewer than four of that size, thus totaling each of them together with the gold components, one could estimate reaching £10m," he said.

"The diamond and precious stone industry is liquid and plenty of customers operate in less regulated areas that won't inquire regarding sources."

Hope persists that the artifacts may be found undamaged one day – but those hopes are narrowing with each passing day.

Historical examples exist – a historical showcase at the London museum features an artifact taken decades ago which eventually returned in a sale much later.

What is certain are numerous French citizens are deeply shocked about the museum robbery, having felt an emotional attachment toward the treasures.

"We don't necessarily appreciate jewelry since it represents an issue of power, and which doesn't always carry positive associations within French culture," a jewelry authority, director of historical collections at established French company the prestigious firm, said