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French authorities are urgently trying to retrieve extremely valuable jewels taken from the Louvre in a audacious daytime heist, although specialists caution it may already be too late to get them back.

At the heart of Paris on Sunday, thieves broke into the most popular museum globally, stealing eight cherished pieces and getting away using scooters in a audacious theft that was completed in under ten minutes.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand told the BBC he feared the jewels are likely "dispersed", after being taken apart into numerous components.

It is highly likely the artifacts could be sold off for a small part of their true price and illegally transported from France, other experts indicated.

Possible Culprits Behind the Robbery

The thieves were professionals, Mr Brand believes, shown by the speed with which they got in and out of the museum so quickly.

"You know, for regular people, people don't suddenly decide in the morning believing, I'm going to become a criminal, and begin with the world-famous museum," he said.

"This isn't their initial robbery," he said. "They've committed things before. They are confident and they believed, we might get away with this, and took the chance."

In another sign the skill of the gang is being taken seriously, an elite police team with a "proven effectiveness in solving high-profile robberies" has been given responsibility with finding them.

Police officials have stated they suspect the theft relates to a sophisticated gang.

Organised crime groups like these usually pursue two primary purposes, legal official Laure Beccuau stated. "Either to act working for a client, or to obtain expensive jewelry to conduct illegal financial activities."

Mr Brand thinks it seems impossible to dispose of the artifacts intact, and he noted stealing-to-order for a private collector represents a situation that only happens in fictional stories.

"Few people wish to acquire an artifact so identifiable," he elaborated. "It cannot be shown to your friends, you cannot leave it to your children, it cannot be sold."

Potential £10m Value

Mr Brand believes the stolen items will be dismantled and separated, with the gold and silver components melted and the jewels cut up into less recognizable pieces that will be virtually impossible to connect to the museum theft.

Historical jewelry specialist a renowned expert, who presents the audio program about historical jewelry and was the famous fashion magazine's jewellery editor for two decades, stated the perpetrators had "specifically chosen" the most valuable jewels from the Louvre's collection.

The "beautiful large flawless stones" are expected to be dug out from their settings and marketed, she said, excluding the crown from Empress Eugénie which has smaller stones mounted in it and was considered "too hot to handle," she explained.

This potentially clarifies why they left it behind during the escape, in addition to another piece, and located by officials.

The imperial headpiece that disappeared, contains extremely rare organic pearls which are incredibly valuable, authorities indicate.

Even though the pieces are considered being priceless, the expert believes they will be disposed of for a minimal part of their true price.

"They will go to individuals who are able to handle these," she explained. "Many people will seek for the stolen goods – they will take what they can get."

How much exactly could they fetch in money if sold on? Concerning the possible worth of the stolen goods, the expert stated the cut-up parts may amount to "many millions."

The jewels and removed precious metal could fetch as much as £10 million (€11.52m; millions in US currency), stated by a jewelry specialist, senior official of 77 Diamonds, a digital jewelry retailer.

He stated the gang must have a skilled expert to separate the jewels, and an expert gem cutter to alter the bigger identifiable gems.

Less noticeable gems that were harder to trace would be disposed of immediately and despite challenges to determine the exact price of each piece taken, the more significant gems may amount to about £500,000 for individual pieces, he explained.

"Reports indicate a minimum of four comparable in size, thus totaling all those pieces up plus the gold components, one could estimate approaching the estimated figure," he concluded.

"The gemstone and precious stone industry is active and numerous purchasers exist on the fringes that don't ask too many questions."

Hope persists that the artifacts may be found undamaged one day – although such expectations are narrowing as the days pass.

There is a precedent – a historical showcase at the cultural institution features an artifact stolen in 1948 before reappearing in a public event much later.

Definitely includes the French public feel profoundly disturbed by the Louvre heist, having felt an emotional attachment with the artifacts.

"French people don't always value gems since it represents an issue of privilege, and which doesn't always carry positive associations within French culture," a heritage expert, curatorial leader at Parisian jewelry house the historical business, said