Naturally occurring Sal ammoniac crystals are uncommon and make unusual collector minerals, especially when interestingly formed in skeletal or snowflake-like crystal masses. Sal ammoniac is easily produced synthetically, and has many uses, especially as a cleaning agent in several industrial processes. It is used in the production of stained-glass windows, in making jewelry and metallic alloys, in photography, and in battery production. It is also used in production of food, including salty licorice.

The best-known examples of Sal ammoniac, with their typical skeletal or dendritic growths, are from Ravat, in the Tien Shan Mountains, Tajikistan.

Sal ammoniac was first described at Monte Somma, at Mount Vesuvius, Campania, Italy, where it formed from fumarole activity on this famous volcano. Another important Italian volcanic locality is the La Fossa Crater, on Vulcano Island, Italy. Other significant European localities include the São Pedro da Cova Mine, Gondomar, Portugal; and the Kladno Mine, Libušin, Bohemia, Czech Republic. In Mexico, Sal ammoniac has been found at the Paricutin volcano, Michoacan, Mexico. An interesting occurrence was the Huron River shale fire, Huron Co., Ohio, which formed complex microcrystals of Sal ammoniac.