Cash and Securities Segregated for Regulatory and Other Purposes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash and Securities Segregated for Regulatory and Other Purposes
Cash segregated in special reserve bank account for exclusive benefit of customer	$ 1.0	$ 4.0
Cash on deposit in connection with ClearPoint's secured borrowings included in segregated cash	3.0	1.0
Cash received in connection with a working capital loan agreement included in segregated cash		$ 4.6

Represents the cash segregated in special reserve bank account for exclusive benefit of customer.

No definition available.

Name:	glch_CashAndSecuritiesSegregatedInSpecialReserveBankAccountForExclusiveBenefitOfCustomer
Namespace Prefix:	glch_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant