Experts explain why stolen Louvre jewelry is 'unlikely to be seen again' as police 'race against time' to catch thieves

An expert has given a timeframe of how long police have to locate the jewels that were stolen from the Louvre before it's too late.

On Sunday morning, a group of criminals broke into the Louvre in Paris, France, using a motorized ladder. They proceeded to make their way to the Apollo Gallery and stole eight items of jewelry that date back to the 19th century.

An investigation is now underway as police try track down the missing jewels and the thieves in what's been dubbed as 'the heist of the decade'.

The Louvre was closed on Sunday and remains closed today (October 20) as French police carry out their enquiries and scour the iconic museum for evidence. But, according to art detective Arthur Brand, the authorities only have seven days to track down the stolen items.

The Louvre remains closed as police continue to investigate the heist (DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Why? Because the thieves are likely to melt down the stolen goods rather than try and sell them on as they are.

"These crown jewels are so famous, you just cannot sell them," Brand said, adding: "The only thing they can do is melt the silver and gold down, dismantle the diamonds, try to cut them. That's the way they will probably disappear forever."

He went on to tell Sky News: "[The police] have a week. If they catch the thieves, the stuff might still be there. If it takes longer, the loot is probably gone and dismantled. It's a race against time."

Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds, has also weighed in on the matter and told ABC News that 'it's unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again'.

"Professional crews often break down and re-cut large, recognisable stones to evade detection, effectively erasing their provenance," Kormind added.

Elsewhere Alexandre Giquello, the president of Drouot auction house, said the jewels are 'unsellable' because the jewels (and the heist itself) are so well-known.

Some of the items the thieves stolen on October 19 (Sky News)

The shocking ordeal has sparked criticism of security at the Louvre, with France's justice minister Gerard Darmanin saying that the country has 'failed'.

Speaking to French radio station France Inter, Darmanin said: "There are many museums in Paris, many museums in France, with priceless values ​​in these museums. What is certain is that we failed. The French people all feel like they've been robbed."

While it seems that the odds are against police in locating the jewels and the thieves, French President Emmanuel Macron has insisted that 'we will recover the works and bring the perpetrators to justice'.