Experts now say it's unlikely the jewels, most recently stolen from the Louvre will ever be seen again.
The thieves rode a basket lift up the museum's facade, forced a window and fled with France's Crown and Napoleonic jewels - in just seven minutes.
The museum had just opened on Sunday - local time.
Newstalk ZB's Paris correspondent Catherine Field says it's already been 24 hours, and authorities have no idea who they're looking for.
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The Mike Hosking Breakfast