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Over One Month Later…
What the Gem Industry Needs to Know

It has now been over a month since four men, disguised as construction workers, bright orange vests and all, drove a compact ladder truck up to the Louvre, extended the lift to a third-floor balcony of the Galerie d’Apollon, cut through a window, and in under seven minutes stole eight pieces of France’s Crown Jewels.

What felt, at first, like a surreal movie plot has since hardened into a sobering reality: seven of those jewels remain missing, and the investigation has exposed significant cracks in France’s museum-security armor.

Arrests & Investigations

French authorities have now arrested nine individuals, with four formally placed under investigation for organized theft and conspiracy. Among them, reportedly, is a former Louvre security guard, a revelation that understandably raises concerns about insider knowledge. One suspect was detained early on at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport attempting to leave the country.

According to the BBC, in late November, authorities announced four more arrests (two men and two women from the Paris region), and prosecutors indicated that a 39‑year‑old man among them is believed to be the fourth and final member of the robbery team. Several of those detained have since been released for lack of evidence, but at least four suspects remain under formal investigation or charged in connection with planning or executing the robbery.

Early rumors suggested one suspect possessed some of the stolen jewels. Evidently that was not the case.

Official statements now make one thing very clear:
Only one item has been recovered – the small imperial crown of Empress Eugénie, dropped by the thieves during their escape.

The remaining jewels – seven in total – have not resurfaced.

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A Smithsonian Connection

Like all good stories, this one comes with a surprising twist from Washington, D.C. Curator Emeritus Jeffrey Post has confirmed that one of the jewels in the National Gem Gallery was once part of a French Royal Jewelry collection. And while some of you may be thinking of the Hope Diamond — yes, it was French King Louis XIV’s French Blue before being stolen during the revolution (King Louis XVI) and recut into the Hope — that is NOT the piece we’re talking about here.

This story centers on a diadem. Originally set with emeralds as part of an emerald parure… now stolen from the Louvre, the diadem is today set with turquoise and resides safely in the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection.

As Post recounts in his book Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels, of the Smithsonian’s National Gem Collection, French emperor Napoleon I presented Marie Louise of Austria with a “dazzling display of emerald and diamond jewelry that included a diadem, a necklace, a comb, a belt buckle, and earrings.” These were created by French court jewelers and, importantly, Napoleon reportedly intended them as a personal gift — meaning, they were not considered state property, and therefore, not “Crown Jewels.”

As noted in our last report, France auctioned off many of its crown jewels in 1887, but this suite — being part of Marie Louise’s private collection — was not among them. Instead, the parure remained in the family until Archduke Karl Albrecht (1888–1951) eventually sold the emerald-and-diamond pieces, including the diadem.

Post describes the original Marie Louise Diadem as “one of the most exquisite ever created,” showcasing 79 Colombian emeralds of exceptional quality, including a 12-carat central stone, surrounded by nearly 1,000 old-mine–cut diamonds weighing more than 700 carats. These were set in silver and gold (silver topped gold) in an elaborate pattern of scrolls, palmettes, and medallions — a superb example of early 19th-century Parisian craftsmanship.

Sometime in the mid-1950s, Van Cleef & Arpels acquired the diadem and removed the emeralds, selling them individually in modern jewels – even advertising them as Napoleonic Royal emeralds. To preserve the diadem’s appearance, the maison replaced the emeralds with turquoise — then a relatively inexpensive material that could easily be cut to mirror the original stone shapes.

Marjorie Merriweather Post purchased the turquoise-set diadem, and then donated it to the Smithsonian in 1971.

Meanwhile, the Louvre located a portion of the emerald-set parure, and purchased the emerald-and-diamond necklace and earrings for its collection. Sadly, those are among the pieces stolen this past October.

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Four More Arrested!

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Security Failures at the Louvre

A government audit has been unusually blunt. The Galerie d’Apollon, home to the Crown Jewels, suffered from:

• Outdated intrusion detectors
• Blind spots in camera coverage (including the very wall the thieves climbed)
• Fragmented communication between museum staff and private security
• Insufficient physical barriers for state-owned, irreplaceable jewels

The report describes a “chronic underestimation of intrusion risk.”

France’s Minister of Culture has ordered immediate action:

• Installation of modern anti-ramming barriers around the Louvre
• Significant upgrades to surveillance
• A reorganization of security oversight within the museum

The Louvre briefly closed after the heist, reopening on October 22.
The Galerie d’Apollon remains closed until further notice.

The Industry’s Quietest Fear

Behind closed doors, gem-security experts are worried about the most irreversible outcome: that the missing jewels may already be broken up into unrecognizable pieces, the diamonds and colored stones popped out of their historic mounts, and recut to hide their true identity.

“These pieces are state property. They can’t be sold.”
But loose diamonds and other gems can easily disappear into the global market – in a heartbeat.

For now, the hope is that the jewels still exist – and that the criminals misjudged how to secretly move rare and known objects from the Louvre.

Revisiting the Heist

In the early hours of October 19, 2025, the thieves moved with precision. After cutting their way into the Galerie d’Apollon, they cut open three display cases, reached in, and seized eight jewels. They then retraced their steps, making their escape from the balcony window.

Their departure was amateurish chaos. In a panic, they abandoned several items in the street: the truck, a torch they attempted (and failed) to ignite, a motorcycle helmet, and – remarkably – one of the eight stolen jewels, the small emerald-set crown of Empress Eugénie. It was damaged but largely intact.

The thieves sped away on Vespa-style scooters, easily blending in, vanishing into the early Paris traffic.

But as dramatic as the heist was, it is still not our main story.

The main story for us, is what was taken.

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The Eight Stolen Jewels …
A Gemologist’s Breakdown

Below is the most complete technical listing available, compiled from the Musée du Louvre and RMN-Grand Palais collection notices (updated 2025). We find the figures given for numbers of diamonds in each piece appear to be greatly exaggerated. We include the catalogue notations in our footnotes, where you will see their numbers listed. – gr

This is the level of detail jewelry professionals rarely get in the news cycle.

1) Empress Eugénie’s Pearl Tiara (1853) – Not Recovered

• 212 pearls (17 pear-shaped)
• 1,998 brilliant-cut diamonds
• 992 rose-cut diamonds
• Height: 7 cm
• Jeweler: Lemonnier
• Notes: One of the most iconic diadems of the Second Empire.
• Notes: Pearls of varying size (no diameters published)

2) Empress Eugénie’s Diamond Bow Brooch (1855) – Not Recovered

• 2,438 brilliants
• 196 rose-cuts
• Articulated tassels
• Jeweler: Lemonnier
• Notes: Large devant-de-corsage bow. Famous for its elegant engineering.

3) Broche de corsage de l’impératrice Eugénie – Not Recovered

Mid-19th century, France — attributed to Lemonnier

This spectacular corsage ornament is composed of large, early-cut tinted diamonds arranged in a tiered, architectural design characteristic of mid-19th-century court jewels. The brooch features a central composition built around substantial pear-shaped, oval, and shield-shaped diamonds, each mounted in silver-topped gold. The diamonds are set in open-backed collets, enhancing brilliance and allowing light to pass through the stones.

The jewel is articulated in multiple sections, with pendant drops (early briolettes), diamond-studded connecting elements, and a small diamond bow motif toward the lower half. Surmounting the main body is a round cluster element composed of old mine–cut diamonds, likely serving as the point of attachment for placement high on the bodice.

Stylistically, the brooch shows:

• Two extremely large triangular cushion shape brilliants, and accented by smaller diamond shapes, old mine and rose-cut stones
• Symmetrical cascading tiers, designed to move with the wearer
• Multiple detachable or articulated components, typical of Second Empire formal jewels
• Silver over gold mounts, fully consistent with Lemonnier’s workshop

This corsage brooch was part of Empress Eugénie’s personal jewel collection, preserved in the French Crown Jewels until the sale of 1887.
[ – It is not the “grand nœud” diamond Bow Brooch — which is a separate, fully ribbon-shaped composition also created by Lemonnier in 1855. – gr]

NOTE: Earlier reports had confused the Reliquary Brooch (1855) with the Broche de corsage de l’impératrice Eugénie (seen here above)

4) Empress Eugénie’s Small Crown (1855) – Recovered, damaged

• 1,354 diamonds
• 1,136 rose-cuts
• 56 emeralds
• Jeweler: Lemonnier
• Notes: Worn at Napoleon III’s coronation ceremony.

5) Sapphire Parure – Tiara – Not Recovered

• 24 Ceylon sapphires (10 small)
• 1,083 diamonds
• Notes: Created for Queen Marie-Amélie
• Notes: Sapphires believed to be unheated.

6) Sapphire Parure – Necklace – Not Recovered

• 8 Ceylon sapphires
• 631 diamonds
• Notes: Associated with Queen Hortense and Queen Marie-Amélie.

7) Sapphire Parure – Earrings – Partially “Recovered”

From the robbery description, it would seem that the far left earclip and brooch were out of reach, and so they were left in the display case. This would account for only one earclip being stolen. – gr

• 2 briolette (or rose cut) and 2 round sapphires
• 59 diamonds (pair)
• Notes: One earring “recovered”; the mate remains missing.

8) Marie-Louise Emerald Necklace (c. 1810) – Not Recovered

• 32 emeralds (10 “pear-shaped rose cuts” – or maybe briolettes?)
• 1,138 diamonds
  – 874 brilliants
  – 264 rose-cuts
• Central oval emerald: 13.75 ct
• Mount: Nitot et Fils (Nitot & Sons)

9) Marie-Louise Emerald Earrings – Not Recovered

(The Louvre lists these as a separate inventory number, though reporting varies.)

• 6 emeralds (including 2 “pear-shapes” – briolettes? – totaling 45.20 ct)
• 108 diamonds
• Height: 5.7 cm
• Notes: “Probably Brazilian emeralds, cut in Vienna.”

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The Women Behind the Stolen Jewels

These eight objects trace the arc of French royalty after the Revolution:

• Empress Eugénie de Montijo – Last Empress of France; style icon of the Second Empire
• Queen Marie-Amélie – Last queen of the Bourbon-Orléans line
• Queen Hortense – Stepdaughter of Napoleon I and mother of Napoleon III
• Empress Marie-Louise of Austria – Second wife of Napoleon I, and niece of Marie Antoinette

These jewels were not just ornaments. They defined eras, dynasties, and diplomacy.

And now they are gone again.

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A Centuries-Old Pattern:
France’s Crown Jewels Keep Getting Stolen

The 2025 heist isn’t an isolated story. It’s another chapter in a 230-year saga of disappearance, dispersal, and sometimes miraculous return.

1792 – The French Revolution Theft

During the September Massacres, thieves broke into the Garde-Meuble and stole a major portion of the Crown Jewels over several nights. At least 50 people were involved.

What vanished?

• The French Blue (the original diamond later recut as the Hope Diamond)
• The Sancy (reappeared in the 19th century)
• The Regent (recovered; now at the Louvre)
• The Hortensia and  Côte-de-Bretagne spinel (never left)

Most jewels were found within two years.
The French Blue was not – and its recut form (along with its curse) is now on display in the Harry Winston Gallery at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

1887 – France Sells Its Crown Jewels

To sever ties with monarchy, the Third Republic auctioned many of the Crown Jewels in the Pavillon Flore of the Louvre.

Of the 69 lots brought to sale, only seven pieces were retained for the nation.

Enter Tiffany & Co.

Acting through Paris agents, Tiffany purchased:

• 24 lots
• Roughly one-third of the entire sale
• Approximately two-thirds of the sale’s total value

Many jewels were broken up for resale to America’s wealthiest families.
A few pieces – like the Grand Mazarin – have resurfaced at auction in modern times.

Ironically, over the last century, numerous “lost” jewels from the 1887 sale have found their way back to the Louvre through donations, purchases, or loans.

Why the Sapphires Were Never Part of the 1887 Sale

Marie-Amélie’s and Hortense’s sapphire parures were private royal property, not state property. Therefore, they were never placed in the Garde-Meuble and never included in the 1887 sale.

Their eventual arrival at the Louvre (20th–21st century) was through donation and acquisition – a late effort to present a complete history of French royal adornment.

This only deepens the tragedy of their loss.

Back to the Present …
and the Hard Questions Ahead

In 1887, the Crown Jewels exited the Louvre through the front door, under government decree.
In 2025, their descendants exited through a balcony window, down a construction ladder, and onto get-away motor-scooters.

France’s crown jewels have now been:

• Stolen (1792)
• Sold (1887)
• Stolen again (2025)

Even after centuries, these jewels remain irresistible to collectors, curators, historians – and thieves.

What Happens Next?

• The investigation continues.
• The jewels remain on INTERPOL’s Stolen Works of Art database.
• Security reforms at the Louvre are underway.
• And the global jewelry community watches, hoping the jewels still exist, intact, somewhere.

Because if history has taught us anything, it’s that Crown Jewels have a way of resurfacing – sometimes years, decades, or even centuries later.

One can only hope that France gets its brilliance back.

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The Stolen Crown Jewels — Object Data

(from Musée du Louvre collection records, RMN–Grand Palais catalogues, 2025)

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Piece, Composition & Gem Counts
Notes / Highlights

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Empress Eugénie’s Pearl Tiara
212 pearls (17 pear-shaped) · 1,998 brilliant-cut diamonds · 992 rose-cuts · h. 7 cm
Crafted by Lemonnier (1853) for Eugénie de Montijo · Iconic Second Empire diadem · Pearls of varying size (no diameters published)

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Eugénie’s Diamond Bow Brooch
2,438 brilliants · 196 rose-cuts · articulated tassels
Large “grand nœud” bow · also Lemonnier (1855)

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Eugénie’s Reliquary Brooch
94 diamonds (some Mazarin stones) · 17.5 cm long
By Paul-Alfred Bapst · commissioned 1855

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Eugénie’s Small Crown (recovered, damaged)
1,354 diamonds · 1,136 rose-cuts · 56 emeralds
Lemonnier (1855) · Worn at Napoléon III’s coronation ceremony

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Sapphire Parure – Tiara
24 Ceylon sapphires (10 small) · 1,083 diamonds
Made for Queen Marie-Amélie · Sapphires reported unheated

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Sapphire Parure – Necklace
8 Ceylon sapphires · 631 diamonds
Matching parure of Queen Hortense / Marie-Amélie

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Sapphire Parure – Earrings
2 briolette sapphires · 59 diamonds (pair total)
One earring recovered; the mate missing

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Marie-Louise Emerald Necklace
32 emeralds (10 pear-shaped) · 1,138 diamonds (874 brilliants + 264 roses)
Central emerald 13.75 ct · Mount by Nitot et Fils (1810)

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Marie-Louise Emerald Earrings
6 emeralds (2 pear-shaped = 45.20 ct total) · 108 diamonds · h. 5.7 cm
Same suite · Unrecorded origin (probably Brazil via Vienna cutters)

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Les joyaux de la Couronne dérobés – Données des objets

(d’après les notices de collection du Musée du Louvre / RMN–Grand Palais, mises à jour 2025)

Diadème de perles de l’impératrice Eugénie
212 perles (dont 17 en poire) · 1,998 diamants taille brillant · 992 roses · h. 7 cm
Orfèvre : Lemonnier (1853) · Diadème emblématique du Second Empire · Perles de dimensions variées (non publiées)

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Grand nœud de diamants de l’impératrice Eugénie
2,438 brillants · 196 roses · pampilles articulées
Grand nœud dit « devant-de-corsage » · Lemonnier (1855)

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Broche-reliquaire de l’impératrice Eugénie
94 diamants (dont certains « Mazarins ») · long. 17,5 cm
Par Paul-Alfred Bapst (1855) · Commande impériale

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Petite couronne de l’impératrice Eugénie (récupérée, endommagée)
1,354 diamants · 1,136 roses · 56 émeraudes
Lemonnier (1855) · Portée lors de la cérémonie du sacre de Napoléon III

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Parure de saphirs – Diadème
24 saphirs de Ceylan (dont 10 de petite taille) · 1,083 diamants
Réalisé pour la reine Marie-Amélie · Saphirs non chauffés

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Parure de saphirs – Collier
8 saphirs de Ceylan · 631 diamants
Parure assortie de la reine Hortense / Marie-Amélie

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Parure de saphirs – Boucles d’oreilles
2 saphirs en poire facettés (briolettes) · 59 diamants (total de la paire)
Une boucle récupérée, l’autre disparue

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Parure d’émeraudes de Marie-Louise – Collier
32 émeraudes (dont 10 en poire) · 1,138 diamants (874 brillants + 264 roses)
Émeraude centrale : 13,75 ct · Monture : Nitot et Fils (1810)

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Parure d’émeraudes de Marie-Louise – Boucles d’oreilles
6 émeraudes (2 en poire = 45,20 ct au total) · 108 diamants · h. 5,7 cm
Même parure · Origine probable : Brésil (via tailleurs de Vienne)

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Source:
Musée du Louvre – Département des Objets d’art – Collection notices (RMN-Grand Palais / Jean-Gilles Berizzi et al., updates Jan–Aug 2025).

Images courtesy of Musée du Louvre

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