NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ARABIAN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT CO (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Basic Net Income per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Arabian American Development Co.	$ 5,221	$ 3,004	[1]	$ 16,315	$ 8,471	[1]
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	24,116,000	24,091,000	[1]	24,110,000	24,073,000	[1]
Net Income Attributable to Arabian American Development Company (in dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.13	[1]	$ 0.68	$ 0.35	[1]
Diluted Net Income per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to Arabian American Development Co.	$ 5,221	$ 3,004	[1]	$ 16,315	$ 8,471	[1]
Dilutive stock options outstanding (in shares)	666,000	662,000	[1]	587,000	686,000	[1]
Weighted average number of shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	24,782,000	24,753,000	[1]	24,697,000	24,759,000	[1]
Net Income Attributable to Arabian American Development Company (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.12	[1]	$ 0.66	$ 0.34	[1]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of shares held in treasury by an outside party (in shares)	300,000	300,000		300,000	300,000
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)				1,233,860	1,073,180
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)				100,000

[1] (restated)