Schedule of Results of Operations Attributable to the Company from the Joint Ventures in Which it is Invested (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Gross revenues			$ 10	$ 2,266
Gross profit			(12)	775
Income from continuing operations			(12)	809
Net income	$ 18	$ 7	$ (12)	$ 809

The amount of income (loss) from continuing operations, before extraordinary items, reported by an Asset Liquidation Investment of the Company, and attributable to the Company as its share.

No definition available.

Name:	hgbl_AssetLiquidationInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeExtraordinaryItems
Namespace Prefix:	hgbl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration