diff --git a/stix2/environment.py b/stix2/environment.py
index eab2ba9e..037e68d1 100644
--- a/stix2/environment.py
+++ b/stix2/environment.py
@@ -83,6 +83,13 @@ def create(self, cls, **kwargs):
         # Use self.defaults as the base, but update with any explicit args
         # provided by the user.
         properties = copy.deepcopy(self._defaults)
+
+        # SCOs do not have these common properties provided by the factory
+        if "observables" in cls.__module__:
+            properties.pop("created", None)
+            properties.pop("created_by_ref", None)
+            properties.pop("external_references", None)
+
         if kwargs:
             if self._list_append:
                 # Append provided items to list properties instead of replacing them