It is a white crystalline powder and occurs in nature as the mineral celestine.

Crystallized strontium sulfate is utilized by a small group of radiolarian protozoa, called the Acantharea, as a main constituent of their skeleton.

In industry it is converted to the carbonate for use as ceramic precursor and the nitrate for use in pyrotechnics.

[4] The low aqueous solubility of strontium sulfate can lead to scale formation in processes where these ions meet.

For example, it can form on surfaces of equipment in underground oil wells depending on the groundwater conditions.