Experts say France's royal jewels may be gone forever after a daring heist at the Louvre. On Sunday, thieves stole eight pieces, including crowns and necklaces, in just four minutes.

The French crown jewels robbed from the Louvre museum in Paris are likely lost forever, an art crime expert tells CBS News, even if the thieves are caught.

Dutch art detective Arthur Brand told the BBC he feared the jewels may already be "long gone", having been broken up into hundreds of parts. It is highly likely the pieces will be sold for a fraction of their worth and smuggled out of France, other experts have said.

The president and director of the Louvre Museum has been summoned to appear before French lawmakers amid the ongoing investigation into the heist of priceless jewels.

The video shows two people using a slow-moving lift in broad daylight to escape the museum, where they stole eight crown jewels within just minutes.

Dominique Buffin, the head of security at the Louvre, the world's most visited museum, is facing calls to resign as the hunt continues for the gang of four thieves who carried out what's been dubbed the 'heist of the decade'.

A recent heist at the Louvre Museum resulted in the theft of over $100 million worth of France's historic jewels. Experts warn the jewels might be melted or broken into parts to avoid detection. Despite the difficulties,

Authorities were racing Monday to reassure the public about security at key cultural sites — and find the jewels stolen from the museum before they can be broken up and melted down.