Thieves buy tickets before stealing necklace from Vienna museum

The Van Cleef and Arpels necklace, with 673 precious stones and worth several million dollars, is the latest item snatched as high-profile robberies hit European museums.

A manhunt has launched for the two suspects captured on CCTV after a jewellery heist in Vienna (Picture: LPD Wien) Two thieves walked into a museum and grabbed a rare diamond necklace encrusted with more than 600 diamonds in a brazen jewellery heist in Austria. The duo were so confident they didn’t bother to wear masks

The stolen necklace, studded with 673 precious stones, belonged to Egypt's Queen Nazli. It was being displayed as part of the museum's exhibition for designs by France's Van Cleef and Arpels.

The necklace, worth several million dollars, had 673 precious stones and was part of a Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition.

Police are hunting two suspects they believe bought a ticket for the exhibition to get at the jewellery.

The piece is made of platinum and 673 diamonds with a total weight of 200 carats

Royal necklace with 673 diamonds stolen from museum in Vienna  The Times

Police said the two men did not wear masks, paid to enter the museum and were clearly seen on surveillance cameras in Thursday's heist.

It is the latest in a series of high-profile heists to hit European museums.