We now know how much the jewels stolen from the Louvre are worth and it's terrible

According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the economic value of the stolen pieces has been estimated at �88 million, an extraordinary figure that doesn't even reflect their historical and cultural significance.

Authorities believe four suspects were directly involved in the break-in. Investigators have recovered fingerprints at the scene, which are now being analyzed to determine whether they match any known individuals.

The prosecutor did not rule out the possibility of accomplices, either inside or outside the museum, suggesting a broader criminal network may have been involved.

The thieves used a mechanical lift, which they allegedly obtained under false pretenses by posing as movers.

When an employee from the rental company arrived to collect the lift, he reportedly encountered two threatening individuals - though no violence was used.

The company has since filed a formal complaint, and the details of how the equipment was acquired have become a key part of the investigation.

The case is being led by the Specialized Interregional Jurisdiction (JIRS) of the Paris prosecutor's office, with nearly 100 investigators mobilized across the capital.

Their focus is on retracing the thieves' steps, understanding how they breached the museum's tight security, and most importantly, recovering the priceless jewels.

The theft has sent shockwaves through France and the global art world.

While the economic loss is immense, many experts emphasize that the true damage lies in the cultural loss. The jewels - part of the historic Napoleon-Eugénie collection - are considered irreplaceable artifacts of French heritage.

Experts note that the stolen pieces are impossible to sell legally due to their provenance and visibility.

If the thieves decide to melt them down or extract the gems, they would only gain a fraction of their actual value. Still, the potential destruction of such treasures would represent a devastating blow to the world's artistic and historical legacy.

Meanwhile, the French government faces renewed scrutiny over museum security.

The incident - widely shared on social media - has reignited debates about how institutions safeguard priceless cultural assets in an age of increasingly sophisticated crime.

For now, the Louvre, the world's most visited museum, remains closed as the investigation unfolds. Paris waits anxiously for answers - and for the hope that its lost jewels might one day return home.