Is this handsome fella an ambrotype or daguerreotype?

This photograph (2 3/4" X 3 1/4") is in a leather-covered wood case with an ornate frame around the picture. It is very reflective like a daguerreotype but there are flakes missing just above the left elbow and at the collar and that makes me think it's printed on the glass.
I would appreciate any info that would confirm the type of photograph and a possible age.
Thanks.

 

The toning around the edges is a daguerreotype characteristic.

 

He is terribly attractive ! Most from that time dont seem to be! We've got a pic expert floating around,hopefully they will pop in.

 

There are two types of reflection that you can see in cased images. One is the reflection coming off of glass. There might be a reflection off of cover glass (which exists over almost all cased daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes). The other is the kind of reflection that a daguerreotype has. And it's the only type of image that has this: It's like looking at a mirror. depending on the angle at which you are looking at the image, the picture can be almost impossible to see at all. It's unmistakeable, once you have seen it and know what to look for.

Terry is right that the toning around the edges happens often on daguerreotypes. I have also seen it on other images, however -- not as often, though. And the flakes missing from your image, and also what looks like crackling in the intact black part. That would never happen with a daguerreotype. So I would say it appears to be an ambrotype.

 

I just pulled apart a photo with similar tinting around the edges. It is a tintype.

I don't know why you couldn't have loss of the coating on a dag.

Can an ambro be tinted like that?

 

I know nothing about these, But I noticed a couple things. 1. His cheeks appear to be blushed in. 2. That blur at the bottom. Is it reflection or damage? It makes whatever is in the bottom center look like a skull. 3. He resembles Leonardo DiCaprio.

 

I did see the DiCaprio resemblance too!
The spot at the bottom by his left hand is another flake thats fallen away. He doesn't seem to be holding anything though a skull would be very dramatic.
I can see the image clearly straight on with out having to tilt it like a dag but I can see my face clearly in it like a mirror.
I'm sure it would be a lot easier for you if you had the image in hand but I am grateful for all the input and leads that will push me further.

 

This is an ambro. It has similar crystal growth to yours.

 

Crystals! I never would have realized that but can see it clearly now.

 

Yes, they can be tinted. Here is a photo of a tinted ambro from my collection. My photography skills are not very good, but I hope you can get the idea.

 

He is quite debonair isn't he.
Here's the skull

Fig your girl is lovely.

 

Don't know why the picture didn't show up. It was there this morning.