For countless people, part of the appeal of visiting a charity shop lies in the element of surprise. While you might occasionally leave without purchasing anything, there's always the possibility of stumbling upon a genuine bargain.

However, while charity shops are mainly known for their cheap clothing and accessories, certain outlets also offer homeware. One woman has illustrated why it's worthwhile browsing these sections, as you never quite know what treasures await.

On her Instagram account, San Diego-based Edden Dreiman captured the moment she discovered a "dream" find at her local charity shop.

"The thrift gods were with me today," Edden captioned the footage as she revealed the various pieces on show.

Arranged on a shelf inside a glass display cabinet sat an entire Le Creuset collection, featuring multiple cookware items, all in matching colours.

Instagram

The collection included two large oven dishes in different sizes, a pot with a lid, several Dutch ovens, a shallow casserole dish with a lid, and various other pieces. Each item came in the same beautiful Sea Salt colour, which is a subtle, blue-tinged green hue.

The items were priced between $79 (58) and $99 (73). While this may seem steep for a second-hand shop, it's a huge saving compared to what you'd pay for them brand new.

Edden snapped up the two oven dishes, along with a third featuring a slightly different design. Her haul also included a Modern Heritage round casserole dish complete with lid, the shallow dish, and one of the Dutch ovens with its lid.

How much is the Le Creuset haul worth?

Had she purchased all of these items brand new, the combined cost would have exceeded 1,400, with certain pieces carrying price tags of more than 350 when bought directly from the shop.

While she kept the precise amount paid close to her chest, a quick look at the various price stickers visible in the store made it clear she'd secured an extraordinary bargain.

"Someone come check on me because I fear I have died and gone to thrift heaven!" she declared in the post's caption.

Edden's find left people gobsmacked, as scores of followers rushed to the comments section to share their reactions, with one admirer posting: "NOOOO WAY! You not only found the treasure, but it also came in the perfect colour."

Another gushed: "Oh wow and the colour!" And a third added: "My girl! WHATTT? The colour is beautiful too!"