A new method that allows real time determination of the velocity of a sphere moving through a liquid in high pressure Stokes’ viscometry studies is described. Our electro‐detection method relies on the electrical conductivity contrast between sphere and liquid. The method has been tested on a jadeite melt at pressures of 2.4 and 2.9 GPa and at temperatures of 1350 and 1450 °C, respectively, and yields viscosities (with an associated error of 25%) which are consistent with those determined by the quench and probe method. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.