When Royal Bling took a Quick Exit
On the morning of 19 October 2025, a group of professional thieves stormed the Louvre’s famed Galerie d’Apollon, home to the French crown jewels. In a lightning-fast operation lasting barely four minutes, they smashed display cases and escaped with royal treasures worth an estimated €88 million (about $102 million).
A Bold Strike at the Heart of Art:
The gang used a lift truck to reach a second-floor window overlooking the Seine, cutting their way in just after opening hours. Once inside, they targeted some of France’s most historically significant jewels — including an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to Marie-Louise Bonaparte, a sapphire tiara and necklace from Queen Marie-Amélie’s set, and the crown of Empress Eugénie, later recovered outside the museum in a damaged state.
Museum officials and investigators described the heist as “surgical and devastating”. Beyond its financial toll, the loss struck at the heart of French heritage — each jewel representing centuries of craftsmanship and royal legacy. “Economic damage is nothing compared to historical damage,” a Louvre curator remarked.
A Breach in the World’s Most Secure Museum:
The robbery has raised difficult questions about museum security. Reports revealed that the thieves exploited blind spots in the museum’s CCTV coverage — a flaw compounded by maintenance gaps and limited staffing. For an institution welcoming millions of visitors annually, balancing accessibility and protection remains an immense challenge.
More Than Jewels — A Loss of Legacy:
To jewellery lovers and collectors, these pieces were not merely accessories but fragments of history — living witnesses to empires, artistry, and romance. Their disappearance is a reminder that fine jewellery carries a soul, a story, and a lineage far greater than its material value.
Honouring the Art of Preservation:
In the wake of such loss, the world of high jewellery must look not only to design but also to preservation. Luxury should celebrate artistry while protecting legacy.
As we unveil our upcoming collection, inspired by the grandeur of European courts, we do so with reverence for the craftsmanship, detail, and history that make fine jewellery eternal — and with the hope that treasures like those lost in Paris will one day find their way home.