By Christian Fraser

BBC News, Rome



After several weeks of digging, the robbery was over in minutes

Seven men dressed as police came through the cellar wall, tied up staff and made off with some of Damiani's most valuable pieces in minutes.

Before Sunday's real-life Italian Job, they had dug for several weeks from a building under construction next door.

Luckily for the showroom, some of its most valuable pieces were on display at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles.

Little trace

Undisturbed, the thieves dug a 3ft (1m) tunnel into the cellar of the jeweller's showroom.

The seven men, unarmed and unmasked, came through the wall as staff above them prepared the jewels for a celebrity Oscars party.

Tilda Swinton's Oscar bracelet was reportedly supplied by Damiani

The thieves tied the staff up with plastic cable and sticky tape.

They then locked everyone in the bathroom except the manager, who was taken to the safety deposit room and forced to empty the lockers.

It is reported that Damiani had supplied the diamond-studded bracelet worn by British actress Tilda Swinton, who took the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday.

Although some of the showroom's jewellery was gracing the red carpet thousands of miles away, there was nonetheless plenty left in Milan.

The real value of the pieces stolen is not yet known as a list is still being compiled.

But it is thought to be millions of pounds worth of gold earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings - all of them studded with diamonds.

Police say it was an extremely professional job and are working on a theory the gang may have had some inside knowledge.

The thieves made their escape through the same tunnel and police say very little trace was left.