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Law enforcement in France are desperate to retrieve irreplaceable treasures stolen from the Louvre in a brazen broad daylight theft, yet authorities caution it may already be past the point of recovery to save them.

At the heart of Paris on Sunday, burglars broke into the world's most-visited museum, making off with eight cherished pieces then fleeing using scooters in a audacious theft that was completed in under ten minutes.

Expert art detective a renowned specialist expressed his view he feared the jewels may already be "long gone", after being taken apart into hundreds of parts.

There is a strong chance the pieces may be disposed of for a fraction of their worth and illegally transported from France, additional specialists indicated.

Possible Culprits Behind the Robbery

The group are experienced criminals, according to the expert, evidenced by the fact they were through the museum of the building with such efficiency.

"You know, for an average individual, one doesn't just get up one day thinking, I should become a criminal, let's start with the Louvre," he explained.

"This won't be their initial robbery," he added. "They've carried out other burglaries. They're self-assured and they thought, we might get away with this attempt, and went for it."

Additionally demonstrating the professionalism of the gang is treated as important, a specialist police unit with a "high success rate in solving high-profile robberies" has been given responsibility with finding them.

Authorities have stated they believe the theft is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Organised crime groups such as these usually pursue two objectives, legal official a senior official stated. "Either they operate on behalf of a client, or to secure expensive jewelry to perform money laundering operations."

The expert believes it is highly unlikely to market the jewels as complete pieces, and he said commissioned theft for an individual buyer is something that mainly exists in movies.

"Nobody wants to acquire an item so hot," he explained. "It cannot be shown to your friends, you can't bequeath it to your children, it cannot be sold."

Possible £10m Price Tag

The detective suggests the artifacts are likely broken down and separated, along with gold elements and precious metals liquefied and the gems divided into less recognizable pieces that will be nearly impossible to connect to the Paris heist.

Historical jewelry specialist Carol Woolton, host of the audio program focusing on gemstones and was Vogue magazine's jewelry specialist for many years, explained the thieves had "specifically chosen" the most significant jewels from the Louvre's collection.

The "magnificent flawless stones" would likely be extracted from the jewelry pieces and marketed, she explained, except for the tiara belonging to the French empress which has smaller stones incorporated within it and was "too dangerous to keep," she explained.

This could explain why it was dropped during the escape, in addition to a second artifact, and found by authorities.

The imperial headpiece that disappeared, has rare natural pearls which have a very large value, authorities indicate.

While the items are regarded as being beyond valuation, the expert believes they to be sold for a fraction of their worth.

"They will go to individuals who are able to take possession," she explained. "Authorities worldwide will search for the stolen goods – they'll settle for any amount available."

What specific amount would they generate as payment when disposed of? When asked about the possible worth of the haul, the detective said the separated elements could be worth "several million."

The precious stones and taken gold might achieve up to ten million pounds (€11.52m; thirteen million dollars), stated by a jewelry specialist, managing director of a prominent jeweler, an internet-based gem dealer.

He stated the perpetrators must have a skilled expert to separate the jewels, and a skilled stone worker to alter the larger recognisable stones.

Less noticeable gems that were harder to trace might be marketed immediately and despite challenges to tell the exact price of all the stones taken, the larger ones might value about £500,000 per stone, he explained.

"We know there are at least four comparable in size, so adding each of them up plus the precious metal, you are probably approaching ten million," he said.

"The diamond and precious stone industry has buyers and plenty of customers operate within gray markets that don't ask about origins."

There are hopes that the items may be found intact in the future – although such expectations are narrowing over time.

There is a precedent – a historical showcase at the V&A Museum displays a piece of jewelry stolen in 1948 that later resurfaced in an auction much later.

What is certain is many in France are extremely upset regarding the theft, expressing a personal connection toward the treasures.

"We don't necessarily like jewellery as it symbolizes a matter concerning authority, and that doesn't necessarily have a good connotation in France," a heritage expert, curatorial leader at Parisian jewelry house the prestigious firm, explained