Louvre Loses $102M Nineteenth-Century Crown Jewels in Daylight Heist

The recent brazen heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris involved the theft of eight precious jewels from the 19th century, all once belonging to French royalty, while notably sparing the famed Regent Diamond, a 140-carat gem with origins in India and a reputation for being cursed. The thieves exploited the chaos of ongoing renovations and a quiet Sunday morning to execute the robbery within seven minutes, revealing their professional planning and familiarity with the museum's security. The Regent Diamond, historically mined in Golconda, India, and once part of Napoleon's coronation sword, was left untouched, sparking intrigue about the thieves' motives. This event has reignited debate about the repatriation of cultural treasures, recalling how historically Western powers have plundered artifacts from colonies such as India. Experts highlight that art theft is increasingly targeted by organized crime, and the Louvre heist exemplifies this trend with its audacity and precision. The stolen jewels, worth over $100 million, underscore the enduring legacy and global significance of India's Golconda diamonds, many of which remain on display in Western museums like the Louvre.