An expert in the field of gem identification says that although it is not easy to tell synthetic or natural with the naked eye, it is possible to distinguish between the two with the available testing equipment. For example, a natural diamond takes hundreds of millions, if not billions, of years to form, and environmental changes over that time leave a 'growth pattern' inside the diamond. VS Lab diamonds, on the other hand, are grown in a laboratory environment and are virtually flawless. "With the aid of equipment, these 'signs of age' can be read to make the correct judgement.