In one of the most shocking museum thefts in recent history, a gang of four thieves carried out a daring robbery at the Louver Museum in Paris on Sunday (October 19). Within just eight minutes, they escaped with eight pieces of royal jewelry considered “objects of inestimable heritage value,” leaving French authorities scrambling for answers. The culprits fled on scooters, marking it as one of the boldest heists ever at the world-famous museum.
Priceless Jewels Stolen from the Louver
The stolen items included exquisite pieces that once belonged to French royalty and imperial rulers. The missing treasures include diadems, necklaces, earrings, and brooches from the 19th century.
According to France’s cultural ministry, among the stolen jewels were:
Pearl Diadem of Empress Eugénie: A stunning headpiece made of 212 pearls and 1,998 diamonds, once owned by Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. The Louver acquired it in 1992.
Diamond Bodice Bow: Another of Empress Eugénie’s possessions, this grand bow-shaped adornment was created for the 1855 Universal Exhibition in Paris and later redesigned into a bodice brooch.
Emerald Necklace and Earrings: Part of a jewelry set that Napoleon gifted to his wife, Marie-Louise, in 1810. Only the necklace and earrings survived into the modern era.
Sapphire Set Pieces: A tiara, necklace, and earrings from a sapphire and diamond set once worn by Queen Marie-Amélie de Bourbon and Queen Hortense, stepdaughter of Napoleon I.
Reliquary Brooch: A chandelier-style diamond brooch that belonged to Empress Eugénie, reflecting her deep Roman Catholic faith.
India’s Connection to the Regent Diamond
The Regent Diamond’s story traces back to India, where legend says a slave discovered the massive stone and hid it inside a leg wound. He attempted to flee to Madras (now Chennai) to sell it, but was betrayed and killed by an English sea captain who stole the diamond.
The gem later made its way to Europe and was sold to Philippe II, regent of Louis XV—hence its name. It later adorned royal crowns, Marie Antoinette’s hat, and even Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword.
By 1791, the diamond’s value had increased fourfold, symbolizing the grandeur and power of French royalty.
The Regent Diamond Left Untouched
Surprisingly, the Regent Diamond, one of the Louver’s most famous gems, was left untouched. The 140.6-carat diamond, with a fascinating origin in India’s Golconda region (Kollur mine, Andhra Pradesh), remained secure in its case.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told Reuters, “I don’t have an explanation. It’ll only be when they’re in custody and face investigators that we’ll know what type of order they had and why they didn’t target that window.”
