About a week ago, news broke that the renowned Louvre Museum in Paris had been broken into, leaving the world in shock. The news sounded incredible, like something out of a Hollywood script. But this was real life. Interestingly, the Paris heist didn’t involve complicated gears or an elaborate operation like the movies would have us believe.

The gang of four thieves brazenly attacked the world-famous museum in broad daylight. But the robbery was swift, just like in the movies. The thieves struck with precision, as officials say it took less than seven minutes for the masked robbers to complete the heist and make an escape.

The thieves simply disguised themselves as museum workers to gain access to the building. Officials say they climbed a truck-mounted basket lift and cut through a first-floor window, smashing safes and making away with valuables just 30 minutes after the museum opened for the day on Sunday.

What was Stolen?

The Louvre is a national art museum in Paris and one of the most popular museums in the world. It goes without saying that this museum is home to some of the most iconic pieces in the world, including paintings, sculptures, architectural elements, and several pieces of historic jewelry.

For the Paris heist, the robbers targeted the Galerie d’Apollon, a part of the museum that houses several objects with inestimable heritage value. Eight items were successfully stolen, with a combined estimated value of over $102 million (approximately $88 million euros). They include:

– An emerald necklace and earrings
– Two crowns
– Two brooches
– A sapphire necklace and
– A single earring

A crown that belonged to Empress Eugénie was also found near the scene. It was apparently dropped by the thieves as they fled the crime scene. The ornate crown would have probably been their biggest score if they got away with it, as it featured golden eagles, 1,354 diamonds, and 56 emeralds.

However, the pieces that were successfully stolen were extremely valuable as well. They had glittering sapphires, emeralds, and diamonds that once adorned the Napoleonic-era French Royals. Each stolen piece represents the apex of 19th-century fine jewelry.

However, more than just decorative jewelry, these pieces held significant meaning for the Louvre Museum and the French government. They were a political statement and demonstration of France’s immense wealth. In fact, these pieces were so significant that when the government did an auction in 1887 to sell off some assets, they were intentionally set aside and saved for the museum.

Why Rare Jewellery Pieces Are Irresistible

The items stolen in the Paris Heist were rare jewellery from the 1800s. They haven’t been worn in decades and will probably never be worn by anyone again. Considering how old the stolen pieces were, one might wonder why they’re still so valuable and irresistible to the men who took them. The following are some of the reasons why precious, old pieces like this remain a prime target for jewelry thieves.

Scarcity and Exclusivity

The primary reason why old pieces of jewelry, such as the ones stolen in Paris, remain so valuable today is their rarity. These are one-of-a-kind pieces that are part of a small collection of high-end jewelry once owned by French Royals over 200 years ago. These pieces have been preserved intact in the most pristine conditions possible for posterity. There are no other copies or variants. This uniqueness factor creates immense value and makes the pieces a prime loot for anyone who gets their hands on them.

Status and Prestige

Another notable reason why old jewelry pieces like this are worth millions of dollars is their provenance or history. They’re like the pieces of jewelry and wristwatches worn by celebrities today. A good example is the Paul Newman Rolex, which was sold for $18.7 million. A limited-edition piece owned by 19th-century French royals will undoubtedly cause a commotion at any auction, as people scramble to get their hands on it. They’re a huge part of French history and a symbol of France’s wealth and power. This rich history gives them significant sentimental value beyond the stones and gems that they’re made of.

Intrinsic Value of the Materials

But let’s be real. The thieves didn’t target 19th-century jewelry pieces simply because they loved history or wanted a status symbol. The primary motivation was the value of the gemstones and precious materials from which these pieces were made.

Rare historical pieces like this were explicitly commissioned for royalty. Consequently, they had bespoke designs, a meticulous level of master craftsmanship, and, of course, quality precious materials. These pieces were crafted from high-karat gold and featured the most exceptional gemstones, including special-colored diamonds, high-quality emeralds, and beautiful, rare pearls.

The materials hold significant, intrinsic value, which is why they’re the prime target in a heist like this. In fact, this last point is the main reason why the stolen pieces are worth anything to the robbers. Due to their fame, these jewels cannot be sold as they are, which means no one can enjoy their exclusivity or wear them as status symbols.

The only thing the thieves can do is melt the silver and gold, dismantle the diamonds, cut them, and try to sell them off individually. Although not as valuable as selling them off intact, a small handful of diamonds and gold materials will still be worth millions of dollars.

If this is done, it would be an unfortunate end to such precious jewels, but it could fetch the thieves a fortune for their efforts. It would also destroy the provenance and unique identity of these pieces. This would make them highly untraceable, increasing the likelihood that the robbers would get away with it.

Of course, there’s still a slim chance that the museum theft was commissioned by a wealthy, eccentric collector who simply wants the historical pieces for their private collection. In this case, the exclusivity and status symbol of these pieces come into play again. They might just turn up again untouched and intact in the next few decades if we’re lucky.

The Paris Heist: Why Rare Jewellery Will Always Be Irresistible