The concept of a museum heist is something seen far more often in movies than in real life. But last weekend, a group of thieves pulled one off at what is perhaps the most famous museum in the world- the Louvre in Paris. The Louvre is home to several of history’s most iconic works of art, like Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and The Raft of Medusa by Théodore Géricault. But the thieves in this heist were focused on important pieces of jewelry rather than important works of art. The Louvre has been closed since the heist occurred on October 19, with four perpetrators making off with the jewels on motorbikes. They pulled off the theft in just seven minutes, about half an hour after the museum had opened to the public for the day.
There are 60 detectives working in Paris to solve this crime and recover the stolen jewels. They pulled off the crime without the cover of night. The burglars used a truck with an electric ladder to access a balcony on the second floor. They used grinders to break windows and access the museum, which set off alarms. However, museum visitors ignored the alarms and drilling noises as there was already construction being done on the building, and they were in disbelief that a burglary could happen during the daytime. After gaining entry through the balcony windows, they proceeded to La Galerie d’Apollon. There, they were able to smash the display cases and make off with the French royal jewels on their motorbikes.
It is difficult to put a price on the jewels stolen in the Louvre heist. They hold cultural significance that is hard to assign a dollar value to, and they will require a specialty buyer due to the high-profile and illegal means used to obtain the jewels. Experts predict that law enforcement officials only have 24-48 hours to locate the stolen jewelry before they are damaged or destroyed. These jewels are priceless, but they also have a high market value that could be used for a wide variety of purposes. Read on to learn more about how much the jewels stolen in the Louvre heist could pay for in Arizona. If you’re struggling with debt, Atlas Bankruptcy Lawyers provides experienced guidance and flexible payment plan options. Schedule your free consultation today at 602-649-4949.
Crown Of Empress Eugénie
Napoleon III lavished his wife, Empress Eugénie, with several pieces of elaborate jewelry. Her crown featured 8 gold eagles, 1,354 diamonds, 1,136 rose-cut diamonds, and 56 emeralds. Such a unique and bejeweled piece would have undoubtedly drawn an astronomical sum, but the burglars were forced to leave this piece behind as museum guards interrupted their raid. Unfortunately, it was damaged during the ordeal. It is reported to be worth tens of millions of Euros, with the U.S. dollar currently worth 0.858 Euros. To put this into perspective, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs implemented a plan to buy back $429 million worth of Arizonans’ medical debt for only $30 million. This crown is valuable enough to enact significant medical debt relief for up to one million state residents.
Diadem Of Empress Eugénie
The empress had a tiara in addition to her crown, gave her another headwear option for her numerous royal obligations. Her tiara contains 212 pearls, 1,998 brilliant-cut diamonds, and 992 rose-cut diamonds. With thousands of valuable gems, it is probably worth a similar sum to the crown damaged in the heist. It could probably pay for Arizona’s $22 million in federal appropriations required to continue running our state parks in 2024.
Reliquary Brooch Of Empress Eugénie
This diamond brooch was a reminder of the empress’ Catholic faith. A reliquary brooch is meant to hold a sacred relic. Hers featured a rosette of seven diamonds surrounding a larger solitaire diamond. If it is worth anywhere near $30 million, it could be used to pay for Arizona’s 2025 increase to the wildfire suppression budget.
Diamond Bow Brooch Of Empress Eugénie
This brooch was for fashion rather than faith, and was therefore much flashier. It contains 2,438 diamonds and 196 rose-cut stones. The design incorporates silk threads to help the diamonds hang in a bow shape. It was originally attached to a belt that contained more than 4,000 jewels, but that belt has been lost. The Louvre paid 6.72 million Euros to acquire the diamond bow brooch in 2008. Adjusted for inflation and converted to U.S. dollars, the diamond bow brooch is valued at $11,776,130. To put this in perspective, it would cost about $4.5 million per year for Arizona to provide free breakfasts and lunches to low-income children. The diamond bow brooch stolen in the Louvre heist could be sold and pay for nearly three years’ of meals for our state’s needy children.
The Sapphire Parure
A parure is a coordinated set of jewelry pieces, highly-favored among 19th-century royalty. The sapphire parure stolen in the Louvre heist was worn by both Queen Hortense and Queen Marie-Amélie. This parure contained a tiara, necklace, and earrings, but the thieves left one of the earrings behind. The thieves also left behind three brooches, a comb, and two bracelets that were part of the parure. The tiara had 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds. The necklace had eight sapphires surrounded by diamonds. Ceylon sapphires range in value from $4,500 to $15,500 per carat, but stones over 10 carats can yield $50,000 per carat. If the 32 sapphires contained in the parure were at least 10 carats, the parure could be worth a minimum of $16 million. The average tax debt per citizen in Arizona is $6,400. Hypothetically, the sapphire parure could pay off 2,500 Arizonans’ tax debts.
Napoleon I’s Wedding Gift To Empress Marie-Louise
After a childless marriage to Joséphine de Beauharnais, Napoleon I married Empress Marie-Louise to secure an heir. For their wedding, he gifted her a magnificent set of emerald and diamond earrings and a necklace. The necklace alone contains 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds. The necklace and earrings were sold to the Louvre in 2004 for $4.3 million. Today, that is worth $7,374,784. Residents of Arizona have a median credit card debt of $2,778. This jewelry set could theoretically pay off 2,654 Arizonans’ credit card debt.
You Don’t Need To Pull Off a Heist To Get Out of Debt. Learn More About Filing For Bankruptcy In Arizona Today.
If the Louvre burglars get away with their crime, they will probably all be financially comfortable for life. But they will also always have to look over their shoulders, wondering forever if that knock on the door is the police coming to haul them away for trial. Filing for bankruptcy is far less extreme and far more legal than committing burglary or another crime to pay debts. It stops creditors from harassment and collection efforts, and provides a clean slate on which the debtor can build in the future. Want to learn more about the specifics of declaring bankruptcy in Phoenix or Tucson and the surrounding areas in Arizona? Our Zero Down Bankruptcy firm offers free consultations to get started by phone. Get started today by calling 602-649-4949.
