Paris Jewel Heist: Experts Question Future of Stolen Royal Treasures
Paris, France – Just days after a bold theft at the Louvre Museum, questions are being raised about what will become of the stolen jewels that once belonged to French royalty. The missing items, valued at over $100 million, have sparked concerns among experts about their potential fate.
Some fear the jewels may be broken down into smaller pieces to be sold. This would make them harder to trace, as individual gems or precious metals could be incorporated into new jewelry and sold without attracting as much attention.
“By breaking them apart, thieves hope to hide their crime,” says Christopher Marinello, a lawyer specializing in art recovery. He added that taking the pieces out of France to be recut in other countries could further complicate the recovery process.
Robert Wittman, a former FBI art crime investigator, expressed doubt that the thieves will profit from the heist. He noted that the historical significance of the jewels is lost if they are broken up, significantly reducing their value. He also pointed out that the unique characteristics of the gems, such as their clarity, could make them identifiable.
Scott Guginsky, with the Jewelers’ Security Alliance, believes the age and quality of the diamonds make them difficult to sell on the open market or through auction houses. Despite these challenges, he suspects the thieves have a plan for selling the jewels, even if they choose to wait before attempting to do so.
Sara Yood, with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, said that many jewelry businesses are on the lookout for suspicious activities that might indicate stolen goods. While newer gems often have identifying marks, the historical nature of these stolen jewels means they likely lack such features, making them harder to track if altered.
While the thieves may be caught, experts fear the jewels themselves may never be recovered in their original form. The lack of insurance on the jewels may further complicate the recovery process.
