What is the Koh-i-Noor diamond?

The Koh-i-Noor diamond is a famous 106-carat jewel that was acquired by the British during colonial rule in India. India has repeatedly pressed the UK to return the diamond, which it sees as a symbol of imperial conquest.

How did the Louvre's crown jewels come to be in France?

Many of the gems in the Louvre's crown jewel collection, such as sapphires and diamonds, were sourced from colonial territories in Asia and South America. Experts say these artifacts were acquired through exploitative imperial networks, even if they were later crafted into French royal regalia.

What is the Louvre doing about the colonial origins of its artifacts?

The Louvre has faced criticism for not being transparent about the colonial histories behind its collections. Experts say the museum's narrow definition of "looted" artifacts and high standards of proof have created a "chilling effect" on restitution claims, even as the museum publicly praises transparency.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Louvre Jewel Heist Sparks Reckoning Over Colonial Plunder

Louvre Jewel Heist Sparks Reckoning Over Colonial Plunder

10 Nov

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Summary

Stolen Louvre crown jewels linked to colonial-era exploitation
Experts call for museums to be more transparent about artifact origins
Debate over restitution of colonial-era treasures intensifies

Louvre Jewel Heist Sparks Reckoning Over Colonial Plunder

The October 2025 theft of the Louvre's crown jewels has ignited a debate over the colonial histories behind many museum artifacts. While the stolen tiaras, necklaces, and brooches were crafted in Paris, their raw materials - including sapphires from Ceylon, diamonds from India and Brazil, and emeralds from Colombia - were sourced through imperial networks that exploited global labor and resources.

Experts say this uncomfortable history has long been obscured, with museums often avoiding "spotlighting uncomfortable acquisition histories." The Louvre, for instance, provides scant information about the origins of the gems in its collection. This lack of transparency has fueled calls for a more decolonized approach, where museums acknowledge the social histories of their artifacts and invite contested narratives into the gallery.