Awwww.... you guys are making me blush! You're too nice!
Unfortunately, Blue Lynx isn't offering stitched collars (yet) and that was a requirement the OP had. I don't believe Paco or Karma offer stitching either but I could be wrong.
As far as your questions reguarding price, materials to make a quality leather collar are expensive and then you have to add in the time... So yeah, they can get very expensive. But if you buy a quality leather collar it should last you forever(and after some use break in nicely).
Unfortunately, Blue Lynx isn't offering stitched collars (yet) and that was a requirement the OP had. I don't believe Paco or Karma offer stitching either but I could be wrong.
As far as your questions reguarding price, materials to make a quality leather collar are expensive and then you have to add in the time... So yeah, they can get very expensive. But if you buy a quality leather collar it should last you forever(and after some use break in nicely).