Shareholders Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Common Stock
Beginning balance, Value		$ 345,000
Beginning balance, Shares		34,479,958
Exercise of stock options for cash, Value		1,000
Exercise of stock options for cash, Shares		117,500
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Shares		50,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value	1,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Shares	35,000
Ending Balance, Value	347,000	346,000
Ending Balance, Shares	34,682,458	34,647,458
Additional Paid-In Capital
Beginning balance, Value		47,107,000
Exercise of stock options for cash, Value		182,000
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value		77,000
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment	500,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value	40,000
Stock option expense	68,000	125,000
Ending Balance, Value	48,099,000	47,491,000
Retained Earnings / Accumulated Deficit
Beginning balance, Value		(42,678,000)
Net Loss	(438,000)	(991,000)
Ending Balance, Value	(44,107,000)	(43,669,000)
Other Comprehensive Income / Loss
Beginning balance, Value		3,914,000
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities	(1,669,000)	(884,000)
Ending Balance, Value	1,361,000	3,030,000
Total Solitario Shareholder Equity
Beginning balance, Value		8,688,000
Exercise of stock options for cash, Value		183,000
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value		77,000
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment	500,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value	41,000
Stock option expense	68,000	125,000
Net Loss	(438,000)	(991,000)
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities	(1,669,000)	(884,000)
Ending Balance, Value	5,700,000	7,198,000
Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance, Value		529,000
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value		(77,000)
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment	250,000
Distribution to NoncontrollingInterest	(50,000)
Issuance of cash to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in		(250,000)
Net Loss	(4,000)	(3,000)
Ending Balance, Value	395,000	199,000
Total Shareholders' Equity
Beginning balance, Value		9,217,000
Exercise of stock options for cash, Value		183,000
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment	750,000
Distribution to NoncontrollingInterest	(50,000)
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value	41,000
Issuance of cash to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in		(250,000)
Stock option expense	68,000	125,000
Net Loss	(442,000)	(994,000)
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities	(1,669,000)	(884,000)
Ending Balance, Value	$ 6,095,000	$ 7,397,000