A cutting element (6, 6') for use in subterranean drilling applications, comprising: a substrate; at least one transition layer (9, 9') bonded to the substrate, the at least one transition layer comprising: a continuous first matrix phase; and a discontinuous first diamond phase dispersed throughout the first matrix phase, wherein the volume percentage of the first diamond phase in the at least one transition layer is 50% or less; and a working layer bonded to the at least one transition layer on a side thereof opposite the substrate, the working layer comprising: a continuous second matrix phase; and a discontinuous second diamond phase dispersed throughout the second matrix phase, wherein the volume percentage of the second diamond phase in the working layer is at least 50%, the volume percentage of the second diamond phase in the working layer is greater than the volume percentage of the first diamond phase in the at least one transition layer; the working layer is at least substantially free of polycrystalline diamond material; and each of the first matrix phase of the at least one transition layer and the second matrix phase of the working layer comprises a metal alloy based on at least one of iron, cobalt, and nickel, the metal alloy including at least one melting point reducing constituent, the metal alloy having one of a melting point and a solidus point at 1200°C or less. a substrate; at least one transition layer (9, 9') bonded to the substrate, the at least one transition layer comprising: a continuous first matrix phase; and a discontinuous first diamond phase dispersed throughout the first matrix phase, wherein the volume percentage of the first diamond phase in the at least one transition layer is 50% or less; and a continuous first matrix phase; and a discontinuous first diamond phase dispersed throughout the first matrix phase, wherein the volume percentage of the first diamond phase in the at least one transition layer is 50% or less; and a working layer bonded to the at least one transition layer on a side thereof opposite the substrate, the working layer comprising: a continuous second matrix phase; and a discontinuous second diamond phase dispersed throughout the second matrix phase, wherein the volume percentage of the second diamond phase in the working layer is at least 50%, the volume percentage of the second diamond phase in the working layer is greater than the volume percentage of the first diamond phase in the at least one transition layer; the working layer is at least substantially free of polycrystalline diamond material; and each of the first matrix phase of the at least one transition layer and the second matrix phase of the working layer comprises a metal alloy based on at least one of iron, cobalt, and nickel, the metal alloy including at least one melting point reducing constituent, the metal alloy having one of a melting point and a solidus point at 1200°C or less. a continuous second matrix phase; and a discontinuous second diamond phase dispersed throughout the second matrix phase, wherein the volume percentage of the second diamond phase in the working layer is at least 50%, the volume percentage of the second diamond phase in the working layer is greater than the volume percentage of the first diamond phase in the at least one transition layer; the working layer is at least substantially free of polycrystalline diamond material; and each of the first matrix phase of the at least one transition layer and the second matrix phase of the working layer comprises a metal alloy based on at least one of iron, cobalt, and nickel, the metal alloy including at least one melting point reducing constituent, the metal alloy having one of a melting point and a solidus point at 1200°C or less.