FOR the past week Merrilynn Howard has combed pawn shop shelves and online auctions sites for her precious family heirlooms that were stolen during an afternoon burglary.

The thieves made off with about 50 pieces of jewellery, including rings, necklaces, earrings and pins.

There was a jewellery set that her father gave her mother on their wedding day, in 1956, along with the few pieces owned by her grandmother.

Mrs Howard estimated the collection was worth $10,000-15,000 but said the financial loss was minimal compared to the items' sentimental value.

"It is 24 years since my mum passed away and they have ripped her away from me again," she said.

"When I realised her stuff was gone, I fell apart."

In a desperate effort to recover the items Mrs Howard will spend today searching antique dealerships and pawn shops in Brisbane.

"There are items I have had for 40 years," she said.

The thieves broke a rear window to enter Mrs Howard's home, near the corner of Perth and Hume Sts, between 1.45-4pm on August 9.

"They must have use significant force, because they broke the screw holding the window frame," she said.

They then rifled through her possessions, stealing anything of value before fleeing.

The brazen daytime burglary occurred after Mrs Howard and her husband Garry left their home unattended for a few hours

As they departed, they saw a suspicious dark blue Ford Falcon loitering in the street and Mrs Howard thinks it may be connected to the burglary.

"We saw the driver take a long look into the yard," she said.

She appealed for anyone with dashcam footage of the area near her home on the date to come forward.

WHAT WAS STOLEN:

1. Gold ring with marquise cut Emerald and diamond chips in infinity pattern

2. Gold ring with small sapphire and diamond chips

3. Gold ring with square cut sapphire - 3 diamond chips either side

4. Diamond dress ring - 5 small stones on gold band

5. Australian opal with '70s style gold setting 1970

6. Pink Tourmaline solitaire on gold band (1977)

7. Tri colour love knot ring

8. Natural 3 stone emerald and diamond antique ring in white gold setting

9. Antique blue topaz ring on gold band

10. Triple gold earrings - Large hoop

11. Triple gold earrings - small hoop

12. Opal earrings

13. Emerald and diamond earrings

14. Gold hoop earrings

15. Multi Diamond earrings

16. Silver filigree heart locket

17. Diamond and gold two circle pendant

18. Enamel pendant on black cord in blue leather case

19. String of cultured pearls and pearl drop earrings in bag

20. Natural emerald and diamond pendant and earrings in small blue box

21. Pink and white cubic zirconia necklace, earring and bracelet set These were in a pink rectangular velvet finish case

22. Mother's wedding set - Necklace and earrings In brown leather case with small card reading "from your loving husband Steve"

23. Nana's double heart locket

24. Mother's gold 21st pin

25. Antique blue stone ring

26. Large Pink and white diamante brooch shaped as bunch of flowers in box

27. Gold Dress watch

28.70's style pearl brooch and earring set

29. Antique single pearl ring

30. Silver belcher bracelet

31. Pewter charm bracelet

32. Pearl and marquisate necklace in bag

33. Opal necklace and screw earrings in blue box

34. Gucci Sunglasses in case

35. Blue glass drop earrings

36. Amber and metal drop earrings

37. Tricolour metal drop earrings

38. Purple grape long drop earrings

39. Brown metal and bead drop earrings

40. Silver patterned angular drop earrings

41. Small black bead drop earrings

42. Long silver and black stone drop earrings

43. Red flower drop earrings

44. Red circle drop earrings

45. Grey metal marquisate style star earrings

46. Grey marquisate style earrings with drop

47. Red and white bead drop earrings

48. Green stone drop earrings

49. Chrome watch with pink band in case

50. Gold Tree of life locket

Toowoomba police are investigating the matter and anyone with information about the offence is asked to phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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