Thieves have pulled off a daring heist at the Louvre, stealing priceless Napoleonic jewels. On Sunday, they used a basket lift to access the museum, smashed display cases, and fled with the treasures.
They think they’ll dismantle and melt them and try to fence the stones (stones, especially famous ones are pretty worthless). They should get about 200 k€ for the lot if they’re lucky. At least according to art specialists debating on news channels.
If they’re sophisticated thieves, they will be sold intact to some overseas billionaire for much more than that. You’d be surprised (or maybe not that surprised) how much stolen art and artefacts winds up in the private collections of rich assholes.
So you have the jewels. Now what? Do they just go into some rich person’s secret collection? It’s not like you can fence these things.
They think they’ll dismantle and melt them and try to fence the stones (stones, especially famous ones are pretty worthless). They should get about 200 k€ for the lot if they’re lucky. At least according to art specialists debating on news channels.
If they’re sophisticated thieves, they will be sold intact to some overseas billionaire for much more than that. You’d be surprised (or maybe not that surprised) how much stolen art and artefacts winds up in the private collections of rich assholes.
For some reason, this is not considered likely by the investigators. Don’t ask me why.
I won’t ask you why but will ask you for a source as I find it surprising too.
Source is local news channels.
When the French Blue was stolen after the revolution, it was recut and probably became the Hope Diamond.
If they can’t find a buyer, they’ll melt it down and recut any gems that are too recognizable. Easy money, if you know the right people.
I’d check the owners house, I assume they’re insured.