(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Basic (loss) earnings per share
GFI'S net (loss) income	$ (9,953)	$ (3,181)	$ 25,615
Weighted average common shares outstanding	116,014,202	118,334,995	120,275,918
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.21
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
GFI'S net (loss) income	$ (9,953)	$ (3,181)	$ 25,615
Weighted average common shares outstanding	116,014,202	118,334,995	120,275,918
Effect of dilutive options, RSUs and other contingently issuable shares			5,246,210
Weighted average shares outstanding and common stock equivalents	116,014,202	118,334,995	125,522,128
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.03)	$ 0.20
Contingently issuable shares excluded from computation of diluted loss per share as a result of net loss	3,682,916	3,936,074
Contingently issuable shares included in computation of diluted earnings per share			1,414,644
RSUs
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Securities excluded from computation of diluted loss per share as a result of net loss (in shares)	3,709,611	4,191,049
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of (loss) earnings per share (in shares)	7,195,315	2,437,984	1,643,217
Options
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Securities excluded from computation of diluted loss per share as a result of net loss (in shares)	48,431	146,257
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of (loss) earnings per share (in shares)	206,826	96,752	56,033