Louvre theft: Jewels stolen, including rare necklace given by Napoleon

Many jewels belonging to the French royal family have been stolen from the famous Louvre Museum in Paris. In this heist that took place in broad daylight on Sunday (October 19), thieves made off with at least eight precious jewels of immense historical and cultural value.

European media reported that the theft took place in the museum's Galerie d'Apollon. Built in 1661 by King Louis XIV, this hall, decorated with gilded carvings and extraordinary paintings, later became the inspiration for the famous 'Hall of Mirrors' at the Palace of Versailles.

Among the stolen jewels is a rare emerald necklace given by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I). He gave it to his second wife Marie-Louise on the occasion of her wedding in 1810. The necklace contains 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds. A pair of earrings from the same set were also stolen.

Thieves also took a sapphire tiara owned by the last Queen of France, Marie-Amelie. The tiara contained 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds. A necklace and a pair of pendants that were part of the tiara are also missing.

Another stolen piece of jewelry is a tiara belonging to Empress Eugenie (wife of Napoleon III). It was set with 212 pearls and nearly 3,000 diamonds. A belt adorned with 2,400 diamonds and a white diamond brooch from 1855 were also stolen.

Only one of Empress Eugenie's crowns was found lying outside the Louvre Museum. The thieves left it behind as they fled. This crown, adorned with 56 emeralds and 1,354 diamonds, is now being examined.