Shareholders Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Common Stock
Beginning balance, Value	$ 347,000	$ 346,000	$ 345,000
Beginning balance, Shares	34,682,458	34,647,458	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, Shares	50,000		50,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value		1,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Shares		35,000
Common stock issued for cash, Value	25,000
Common stock issued for cash, Shares	2,451,892
Ending balance, Value	372,000	347,000	346,000
Ending balance, Shares	37,184,350	34,682,458	34,647,458
Additional Paid-In Capital
Beginning balance, Value	48,099,000	47,491,000	47,107,000
Exercise of stock options for cash, Value			182,000
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value	49,000		77,000
Stock option expense	13,000	68,000	125,000
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment		500,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value		40,000
Common stock issued for cash, Value	2,035,000
Ending balance, Value	50,196,000	48,099,000	47,491,000
Retained Earnings / Accumulated Deficit
Beginning balance, Value	(44,107,000)	(43,669,000)	(42,678,000)
Net loss	(202,000)	(438,000)	(991,000)
Ending balance, Value	(44,309,000)	(44,107,000)	(43,669,000)
Other Comprehensive Income / Loss
Beginning balance, Value	1,361,000	3,030,000	3,914,000
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities	(272,000)	(1,669,000)	(884,000)
Ending balance, Value	1,089,000	1,361,000	3,030,000
Total Solitario Shareholder Equity
Beginning balance, Value	5,700,000	7,198,000	8,688,000
Exercise of stock options for cash, Value			183,000
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value	49,000		77,000
Stock option expense	13,000	68,000	125,000
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment		500,000
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value		41,000
Common stock issued for cash, Value	2,060,000
Net loss	(202,000)	(438,000)	(991,000)
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities	(272,000)	(1,669,000)	(884,000)
Ending balance, Value	7,348,000	5,700,000	7,198,000
Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance, Value	395,000	199,000	529,000
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in, Value	(49,000)		(77,000)
Issuance of cash to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in	(250,000)		(250,000)
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment		250,000
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		(50,000)
Net loss	(5,000)	(4,000)	(3,000)
Ending balance, Value	91,000	395,000	199,000
Total Shareholders' Equity
Beginning balance, Value	6,095,000	7,397,000	9,217,000
Exercise of stock options for cash, Value			183,000
Issuance of cash to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in	(250,000)		(250,000)
Stock option expense	13,000	68,000	125,000
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment		750,000
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		(50,000)
Issuance of shares for mineral property, Value		41,000
Common stock issued for cash, Value	2,060,000
Net loss	(207,000)	(442,000)	(49,000)
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities	(272,000)	(1,669,000)	(884,000)
Ending balance, Value	$ 7,439,000	$ 6,095,000	$ 7,397,000