Cutting elements and bits incorporating the same

A bit comprising:

• a body;
• and
• a cutting element mounted on the body, the cutting element comprising,
• a substrate, and
• a cutting layer formed over the substrate, the cutting layer comprising,
• a first ultra hard material layer formed over the substrate, and
• a second ultra hard material layer formed over the first ultra hard material layer, wherein the second ultra hard material layer has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm, wherein said second ultra hard material layer is oriented for making contact with an object to be drilled by said bit.

A method for improving the cutting efficiency of a cutting layer comprising;

• forming a cutting element having a substrate, a first ultra hard material layer over the substrate and a second ultra hard material layer over the first ultra hard material layer, wherein the second ultra hard material layer has a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 2 mm, wherein the first ultra hard material layer wears faster than the second ultra hard material layer, wherein said first and second ultra hard material layers define the cutting layer;
• cutting an object with said cutting layer wearing a portion of the second ultra hard material layer exposing a portion of the first ultra hard material layer defining a wear scar exposing the first ultra hard material layer surrounded by the second ultra hard material layer;
• and
• continuing cutting said object with said cutting layer causing the inner layer to wear faster than the outer layer forming at least a lip on the outer layer having a cutting edge surrounding the wear scar.