Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	May 01, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Rubicon Technology, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001410172
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Filer Number	001-33834
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	DE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		2,485,461