How to Draw Gems: Easy 10-Step Guide for Beginners

Ready to add some sparkle to your sketchbook? This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 6+ looking to practice geometric shapes and symmetry. You will only need a pencil, an eraser, and a steady hand to create these brilliant, multi-faceted gems.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A vibrant, finished illustration of multiple colorful gemstones, showcasing different shapes and facet details.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Establishing the Base Shapes

Pencil sketch showing a rounded pentagon and a diamond shape as the foundation for two gemstones.

Start by sketching a five-sided pentagon with soft, rounded corners for your first gem, and a sharp diamond shape for the second. Tip: Use a light touch; these are just your guidelines.

Step 2: Adding Geometric Variety

Drawing a hexagon and an open-ended triangle to represent different gemstone cuts.

Draw a hexagon for your third gem. Inside, sketch a rectangle, but leave the corners open, connecting them with short, angled lines instead. For the final gem, create an open-ended triangle shape.

Step 3: Creating Depth in the Pentagon

Adding internal curved lines to the pentagon shape to give it a three-dimensional look.

Draw short lines inward from each corner of your pentagon, then connect them with slight curves. Tip: These curves create the illusion of a rounded, 3D surface.

Step 4: Faceting the Diamond

Dividing the diamond shape with a horizontal line and triangles to simulate facets.

Draw a horizontal line across the middle of your diamond. Connect the top and bottom corners to this center line to create two triangles. This simple division instantly makes the gem look 'cut'.

Step 5: Detailing the Central Gem

Adding vertical and horizontal lines to the central gem to create complex facet patterns.

Add vertical curves between the upper and lower corners of the central gem. Connect the remaining corners to these curves with short, straight lines to define the facets.

Step 6: Adding 'X' Accents

Drawing 'X' shapes within the facets of the central gem to add realistic detail.

Draw an 'X' shape in the top, bottom, and side sections of your central gem. This detail mimics the way light reflects off the sharp edges of a real gemstone.

Step 7: Defining the Final Gem

Constructing the final gem using triangles and horizontal lines for a sharp, cut appearance.

Connect the upper corners to the bottom point to form a triangle. Add a horizontal line between the side corners and a small triangle at the top to complete the structure.

Step 8: Adding Inner Detail

Drawing a smaller hexagon inside the larger one to create a multi-layered gemstone effect.

Draw a smaller hexagon inside your existing one. Connect the corners of the inner and outer shapes with short lines. Tip: Keep these lines parallel to ensure the gem looks symmetrical.

Step 9: Refining the Outline

Adding final detail lines to the gemstone facets to enhance the cut appearance.

Add an extra line between your existing short lines. This final touch sharpens the edges and makes the gemstone look professionally cut.

Step 10: Bringing Gems to Life with Color

A colorful collection of finished gemstones, showing various colors and shading techniques.

Time to color! Use vibrant hues like emerald green, ruby red, or amethyst purple. Tip: Leave a small white space on one side of each facet to represent a 'highlight' where light hits the stone.