What the Louvre Raiders Stole (and What They Didn't)
October 23, 25
(IDEX Online) - Raiders who escaped with France's priceless crown jewels in their brazen daytime heist at the Louvre overlooked the $60m Regent Diamond that was in the same gallery.
The world-famous 140.64-carat, D-color, IF-clarity stone was discovered in the Kollur mines in India around 1698, featured prominently in coronation crowns of Louis XV and Louis XVI and was later incorporated into the hilt of Napoleon Bonaparte's ceremonial sword.
Police have released details of the items that were stolen after the raiders broke into the Apollo Gallery on Sunday morning (19 October).
• A tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, with 1,998 diamonds and 212 pearls.
• An emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise
• A tiara, necklace and single earring from the sapphire set that belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense
• A brooch known as the "reliquary brooch"
The Ministry of Culture said masked thieves targeted two "high-security" display cases, after using a truck with a hydraulic furniture lift to reach a second-floor balcony. They then broke in through a window.
Two of the items stolen were later found near the museum, including Empress Eugenie's Crown, which was dropped and damaged.
More than 60 detectives have been assigned to the case. They're in a race against time, with most experts believing the treasures will be broken down for resale in a matter of days or weeks.
Pic, courtesy the Louvre, shows Empress Eugenie's pearl and diamond tiara.