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French authorities are making every effort to locate extremely valuable jewels stolen from the Paris museum in a audacious daytime heist, but experts have warned it might be too late to get them back.

In Paris this past Sunday, thieves entered by force the world's most-visited museum, making off with eight precious artifacts and getting away using scooters in a daring heist that lasted approximately under ten minutes.

International art investigator an expert in the field expressed his view he feared the artifacts may already be "long gone", after being taken apart into many fragments.

Experts suggest the artifacts could be sold off for a fraction of their worth and taken out of France, several authorities indicated.

Possible Culprits Behind the Robbery

The thieves are experienced criminals, according to the expert, evidenced by the speed with which they got through the museum of the building so quickly.

"Realistically speaking, as a normal person, one doesn't just get up one day planning, I will become a burglar, and begin with the Louvre Museum," he explained.

"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he continued. "They've committed previous crimes. They feel certain and they believed, we could succeed with this plan, and took the chance."

In another sign the professionalism of the gang is being taken seriously, a specialist police unit with a "high success rate in cracking significant crimes" has been given responsibility with locating the perpetrators.

Police officials have indicated they suspect the theft is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Sophisticated gangs of this type usually pursue two primary purposes, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. "Either to act on behalf of a sponsor, or to acquire expensive jewelry to conduct money laundering operations."

Mr Brand thinks it seems extremely difficult to dispose of the artifacts intact, and he explained stealing-to-order for an individual buyer is something that only happens in movies.

"Nobody wants to acquire a piece this recognizable," he stated. "It cannot be shown to your friends, you cannot leave it to family, you cannot sell it."

Estimated £10m Value

The detective suggests the artifacts will be dismantled and separated, including the gold and precious metals liquefied and the jewels re-cut into smaller components that could be nearly impossible to track back to the Paris heist.

Historical jewelry specialist Carol Woolton, who presents the audio program If Jewels Could Talk and formerly worked as the famous fashion magazine's jewelry specialist for many years, told the BBC the robbers had "specifically chosen" the most valuable treasures from the museum's holdings.

The "impressively sized perfect gems" are expected to be removed from the jewelry pieces and marketed, she noted, except for the crown from the French empress which contains smaller gems set in it and was "too dangerous to keep," she added.

This could explain why it was dropped as they got away, together with another piece, and located by officials.

The imperial headpiece that was taken, features exceptionally uncommon natural pearls which have a very large value, authorities indicate.

Although the artifacts are considered being priceless, Ms Woolton believes they could be marketed for a fraction of their worth.

"They're destined to individuals who are prepared to acquire such items," she said. "Everyone will be looking for these items – the thieves will accept any amount available."

The precise value would they generate as payment when disposed of? Concerning the estimated price of the stolen goods, the detective said the dismantled components may amount to "several million."

The gems and taken gold might achieve up to ten million pounds (over eleven million euros; millions in US currency), stated by an industry expert, senior official of an established company, a digital jewelry retailer.

He told the BBC the thieves would need an experienced professional to remove the gems, and an expert gem cutter to modify the larger recognisable stones.

Smaller stones that were not easily identifiable would be disposed of quickly and despite challenges to determine the exact price of each piece taken, the bigger stones may amount to around half a million pounds per stone, he said.

"Reports indicate a minimum of four that large, thus totaling each of them together with the gold components, you are probably coming close to £10m," he said.

"The gemstone and luxury goods trade is active and plenty of customers operate within gray markets that avoid questioning too many questions."

There are hopes that the items may be found intact one day – although such expectations are narrowing as the days pass.

Historical examples exist – a jewelry display at the London museum displays an item of jewellery stolen in 1948 which eventually returned in an auction several decades later.

Without doubt is many in France are deeply shocked by the Louvre heist, expressing a personal connection to the jewels.

"We don't necessarily value gems since it represents a question of power, and which doesn't always have a good connotation among French people," a heritage expert, head of heritage at established French company the prestigious firm, said