DENVER -- Former Colorado Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell said an armed robber held up his daughter's Durango gallery and stole more than 60 pieces of jewelry he created, including a bracelet worth $40,000.

The robber pointed a gun at an employee at the Sorrel Sky Gallery and ordered her to unlock two jewelry cases Monday evening, said Durango police Capt. Micki Browning.

The suspect then told the employee to go to the back of the store, and took everything inside the cases, including bracelets, rings and pendants.

Browning said police are hoping the robber will try to unload the jewelry at a pawn shop so it can be recovered intact, rather than melted down.

Campbell's jewelry has been featured in the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

Campbell said most of the pieces taken Monday were fashioned out of 18-karat gold, and several had a retail value of more than $10,000.

The most expensive item was a diamond-studded bracelet worth $40,000, he said.

"Whether it's paintings or bronzes or jewelry, to a store it might be called just inventory, but to the artist who put their inspiration, their dreams and time and effort into it, it's a different thing," Campbell said. "It's like taking a piece of your life. That's three years of my life."

The robber was described as being 5-feet, 8-inches tall and in his mid-20s, with brown eyes and short hair. He had fair skin and was possibly Hispanic.

The man was wearing a black beanie hat with a short bill, baggy black pants and skater shoes, and carried a black backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Durango Police Department at 970-375-4700.

Campbell retired from Congress in 2005 after two terms in the Senate and three in the House. His seat was won by current Sen. Ken Salazar.