Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net operating loss carry-forwards	$ 29,437	$ 29,816
Minimum tax credit carry-forwards	186	186
Intangible assets	(95)	(24)
Stock-based compensation	870	679
Start-up costs	(17)hgbl_DeferredTaxAssetsStartUpCosts	(14)hgbl_DeferredTaxAssetsStartUpCosts
Depreciation and amortization	8	(3)
Other	52us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther	210us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther
Writedown of inventory	456us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsInventory	452us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsInventory
Gross deferred tax assets	27,822us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross	29,407us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross
Less:valuation allowance	(28,842)	(4,740)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowance		24,667us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowance	(960)	0
Customer Relationships/Business Network [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	(1,597)	(500)
Trade Names [Member]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	$ (1,418)	$ (1,395)

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from intangible assets including goodwill.

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from inventory.

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible operating loss carryforwards.

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences not separately disclosed.

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from property, plant, and equipment.

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible general business tax credit carryforwards.

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Amount of deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

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Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards after valuation allowances.

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Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences, net of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards net of valuation allowances expected to be realized or consumed after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

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