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French authorities are desperate to recover irreplaceable treasures robbed from the Louvre in a daring daytime heist, although specialists have warned it might be too late to save them.

In Paris this past Sunday, robbers gained access to the world's most-visited museum, making off with eight precious artifacts then fleeing via motor scooters in a bold robbery that lasted approximately eight minutes.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand told the BBC he feared the artifacts may already be "already dismantled", once separated into many fragments.

It is highly likely the pieces will be sold for a fraction of their worth and illegally transported from the country, additional specialists have said.

Potential Suspects Behind the Robbery

The thieves acted professionally, Mr Brand believes, as demonstrated by the speed with which they got in and out of the museum in record time.

"Realistically speaking, as a normal person, people don't suddenly decide one day believing, I'm going to become a thief, and begin with the Louvre Museum," he explained.

"This likely isn't their initial robbery," he said. "They have done previous crimes. They're self-assured and they calculated, it might work out with this attempt, and went for it."

As further evidence the expertise of the gang is considered significant, a dedicated task force with a "strong track record in cracking high-profile robberies" has been assigned with locating the perpetrators.

Police officials have said they believe the heist is linked to a sophisticated gang.

Organised crime groups of this type generally have two main goals, French prosecutor a senior official explained. "Either to act for the benefit of a financier, or to secure precious stones to conduct illegal financial activities."

Mr Brand thinks it would be highly unlikely to sell the items as complete pieces, and he explained stealing-to-order for a private collector represents a situation that typically occurs in movies.

"Nobody wants to touch an artifact so hot," he explained. "It cannot be shown to acquaintances, it cannot be passed to heirs, it cannot be sold."

Potential £10m Value

The expert thinks the artifacts will be taken apart and disassembled, with the gold and precious metals liquefied and the precious stones cut up into less recognizable pieces that will be nearly impossible to track back to the museum theft.

Gemstone expert Carol Woolton, who presents the audio program about historical jewelry and formerly worked as the prestigious publication's jewelry specialist for 20 years, stated the perpetrators had "carefully selected" the most valuable gemstones from the Louvre's collection.

The "beautiful large perfect gems" are expected to be extracted of their mountings and marketed, she noted, except for the headpiece of the historical figure which features less valuable pieces set in it and proved to be "too hot to possess," she added.

This could explain why it was dropped during the escape, along with another piece, and found by authorities.

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

While the items are considered having immeasurable worth, Ms Woolton anticipates they could be marketed for a minimal part of their true price.

"They will go to buyers who are able to acquire such items," she stated. "Everyone will be looking for these – they'll settle for whatever price is offered."

What specific amount could they fetch as payment when disposed of? Concerning the possible worth of the stolen goods, the expert indicated the dismantled components could be worth "many millions."

The precious stones and removed precious metal might achieve approximately ten million pounds (€11.52m; millions in US currency), stated by Tobias Kormind, senior official of a prominent jeweler, an internet-based gem dealer.

He stated the thieves will require an experienced professional to extract the stones, and an expert gem cutter to change the more noticeable pieces.

Minor components that were not easily identifiable would be disposed of immediately and although difficult to tell the specific worth of all the stones stolen, the more significant gems might value around a significant amount per stone, he explained.

"There are a minimum of four that large, therefore combining all of those along with the gold components, it's likely coming close to £10m," he concluded.

"The diamond and gemstone market has buyers and plenty of customers operate within gray markets that don't ask regarding sources."

Some optimism remains that the artifacts could reappear in original condition eventually – although such expectations are fading over time.

Similar cases have occurred – a historical showcase at the cultural institution displays an item of jewellery previously stolen that later resurfaced in a public event many years after.

What is certain are numerous French citizens are deeply shocked regarding the theft, expressing a cultural bond toward the treasures.

"We don't necessarily value gems as it symbolizes an issue of power, and that doesn't necessarily receive favorable interpretation within French culture," a jewelry authority, head of heritage at established French company the prestigious firm, stated