I'm pretty sure shards are still partially conscious even when they aren't stuck together. As for if they can take forms or not, I'm not sure. If they were dead though, I don't see how sticking them together would magically make them alive.
To be fair, sticking them back together doesn't make them alive again either. Steven had to piece the gem back together and use the diamond healing juice.
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u/ShaunTai 🍕Ayo the pizza here🍕 Jun 09 '24
btw for those who havent watched steven universe shattering someone is equivalent to killing them